College football preview: Buffalo at NIU
Buffalo (2-3, 1-0) at Northern Illinois (4-2, 2-0)
When: 2:30 p.m. Satirdau at Huskie Stadium
Pay TV: www.niuhuskies.com; Radio: WSCR 670-AM
Series: NIU leads 5-1
Coaches: Jeff Quinn (2-3, first year at Buffalo); Jerry Kill (17-15, third year at NIU; 121-72 in 17th year overall).
Buffalo players to watch: Redshirt sophomore QB Jerry Davis ranks third in the MAC in total yards (252.6 ypg), but he's not the most accurate passer around. He's hitting 48 percent of his throws with 11 TDs and 11 INTs. Junior WR Marcus Rivers (34 receptions, 424 yards, 2 TDs) has caught at least 5 passes for 50 yards in each game. Redshirt freshman DE Khalil Mack is a menace with 8 tackles for loss, 5 pass breakups and 2.5 sacks.
NIU players to watch: NIU has rolled to three wins in a row behind the MAC's leading rusher (Chad Spann with 107.0 ypg) and the MAC's leading passer (Chandler Harnish with a 162.7 rating). The Huskies' line deserves some credit, too, as they've paved the way for the nation's 12th-ranked rushing offense (236.2 ypg) while allowing a league-low 7 sacks. LBs Alex Kube, Devon Butler and Tyrone Clark are the team's top three tacklers.
The skinny: Northern Illinois' 104th Homecoming isn't just for alums happy with the Huskies' hot streak. Jeff Quinn, a Downers Grove North High School graduate and 1984 Elmhurst College alum, brings in a Buffalo squad that had a bye week to prepare for the MAC West leaders. While Quinn is an offensive guru who was Brian Kelly's right-hand man for many years, Buffalo is about defense. The Bulls limited Bowling Green to 9 net rushing yards two weeks ago, so the Huskies will have to work to establish their running game. On the other hand, Buffalo might not be able to pass or run against the Huskies.
He said it: Jerry Kill on Jeff Quinn, whom he faced during his Div. II years at Saginaw Valley State: “He has been with Brian Kelly for a long time, so we're going to see a spread offense, (a) very aggressive throwing game. Defensively, they fit his personality. They're going to blitz somewhere, some place every snap.