Published: October 16, 2006 07:26 pm      

UB FOOTBALL: Miami leaves town impressed

The Miami of Ohio RedHawks went home Sunday with new respect for the University at Buffalo’s football team and its surrounding community.

“Buffalo is much improved,” Miami quarterback Mike Kokal said after the game. “They were one of the hardest-hitting teams we’ve played against.”

UB linebacker Ramon Guzman especially left his mark on Kokal. Guzman had a team-high 11 tackles and a half sack.

“I’m going to be sore (Monday) because of him,” he said.

Kokal was also impressed that the Bulls refused to quit when Miami opened a big lead in the fourth quarter. That assessment was shared by RedHawks linebacker Joey Hudson.

“Last year, it seemed like they just rolled over,” he said. “This year, they were fighting every play. Down to the last play. They really wanted it.”

Kokal also expressed admiration at Western New York’s characteristic resolve after the devastating lake-effect snowstorm that hit the region Thursday.

“We know the people up here have been going through a lot of adversity,” he said. “We really feel for them.”

• UB head coach Turner Gill refused to make any weather-related excuses for the Bulls’ loss.

Heavy snow cut Thursday’s practice by 45 minutes, and several members of the coaching staff were without power in the days leading up to the game.

“There’s always going to be adversity that comes along, in football and in life,” Gill said. “The circumstances had nothing to do with how we played.”

Miami coach Shane Montgomery did allow that football might not have been everyone’s top priority leading up to kickoff.

“I think you have to give both teams a lot of credit, with the conditions, the adversity and the distractions,” he said.

• The Bulls simplified their running back to spring redshirt freshman James Starks to a career day.

“We really had just one play that we were actually going to run out of different formations,” Gill said.

Starks, a Niagara Falls graduate, went over 100 yards for the first time, finishing with 113 on 19 carries. His 38-yard first quarter touchdown was the longest run of his short career, and was assisted by a key block from wide receiver Terrance Breaux.

Prior to that, Starks picked up 30 yards on six inside runs out of UB’s multiple-tight end formations. Tight ends Jesse Rack, Brian Watson and Robert Yealu were utilized with starter Chad Upshaw to help the Bulls establish the run.

That personnel grouping was employed to compensate for the absence of starting fullback Steven King, according to Gill. Starks said sophomore Chris Scharon filled in capably for King at fullback.

• Together, Starks and true freshman receiver Naaman Roosevelt accounted for 77 percent of the Bulls’ total yards.

Roosevelt, a St. Joe’s graduate, had three catches for 60 yards, three kickoff returns for 80 yards and an 11-yard punt return, for 145 total yards. Starks added five receptions for 68 yards, both career highs.

• Miami’s star receiver/returner Ryne Robinson left the game in the second quarter with back spasms and did not return.

Robinson already had six catches for 55 yards before getting hit by UB safety Mike Newton on an incompletion. Newton was flagged for a late hit on the play.

Montgomery said not having Robinson contributed to the decision to try and block a UB punt late in the third quarter. The RedHawks succeeded in that endeavor, giving them a drive start at the UB 5.

• UB announced paid attendance of 13,699, though only a few hundred fans actually showed up. Unused tickets will be accepted at UB’s two remaining home games, as the University urged fans to respect the driving ban in Amherst on Sunday.

Contact Jonah Bronstein at bronsteinj@gnnewspaper.com