The Eastern Michigan-Buffalo game represents a crossroads for both teams. Both were preseason bowl hopefuls, but now sit below .500 after four games. Eastern Michigan is 1-4, while Buffalo is 2-3. A win could be a turning point for both teams, while a loss will send either fanbase into panic mode.
Game Notes
- Time and date: Saturday October 4, 2025, at noon Eastern time
- Location: UB Stadium in Amherst, New York
- TV network options: ESPN+ (a valid subscription is required)
- Radio options: Paul Peck (play-by-play) and Scott Wilson (color) will provide the Buffalo call for ESPN 1520, while Tom Helmer (play-by-play) and Rob Rubick (color) will provide the Eastern Michigan call for WEMU 89.1 and Varsity Network.
- Gambling considerations: Buffalo is a 10.5-point favorite, with an over/under of 53.5, per FanDuel.
- All-Time Series: Buffalo is 7-5 all-time, winning the last meeting 37-20 last season.
About the Buffalo Bulls
The loss of Ta’Quan Roberson has hurt the offense in their past six quarters of play. Without Roberson, the offense has become one dimensional at signalcaller; Gunnar Gray had a single carry for -6 yards
and just 125 passing yards in his first start in their close loss to UConn. Roberson is probable this week, but if he can’t go, the hope is Gray will be more comfortable after shaking off his first full game as a starter.
Al-Jay Henderson, who was projected as one of the better returning halfbacks in the MAC, has continued to struggle, averaging less than three yards per carry on 22 attempts vs. UConn. Thankfully, the Bulls run deep at the position and have found another big play back in Lamar Sperling. Sperling ran for 106 yards on nine carries, including a 63-yard touchdown last week. Both should have quality games against an Eastern Michigan run defense allowing 279 yards per game on the ground.
Victor Snow and Nik McMillan lead the receiving corps. Snow has 23 receptions for 274 yards and three touchdowns, while McMillan has 163 yards on 14 catches. Opposing teams have been able to pick apart the Eastern Michigan pass defense, completing 64 percent of their passes.
Linebackers Red Murdock (53 tackles) and Dion Crawford (41 tackles) are stalwarts in the middle of the defense. Still, the Bulls let UConn find consistent success in the run game last week. The Huskies averaged five yards per carry on 31 rushes in their 20-17 win. The front seven will have to be more consistent against the patented downhill run game of Eastern Michigan. Buffalo has the pieces to stop Eastern Michigan’s run game. The Bulls have five players with at least three tackles of loss, including edge Kobe Stewart, who has 4.5 tackles for loss. Nickel Jalen McNair anchors the secondary with 31 tackles and three pass breakups on the year. Cornerback Marquis Cooper will also give the Eastern Michigan passing game trouble. Cooper has three pass breakups on the year as well.
About the Eastern Michigan Eagles
Noah Kim has quietly had a strong year in the final stop of his well-traveled career. Kim has 1,168 passing yards and 26 non-sack rushes for 126 yards and three touchdowns. Kim benefits from having one of the best receivers in the MAC on his team in Terry Lockett Jr., who has 19 receptions for 263 yards and a touchdown to this point. Tight end Joshua Long is a threat in the short passing game with 186 yards on 15 receptions. The trio has benefited from having to play from behind, but may have to set the tone this week against a Buffalo defense allowing 126 yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry on the ground.
Running back Dontae McMillan is explosive at running back, averaging nearly seven yards per carry and totaling 416 yards on the ground. However, he only has 62 carries due to to the defense forcing the offense into “catch-up” mode. McMillan and his running mate Tavierre Dunlap (153 yards) could have trouble against a stiff Buffalo defense. Nevertheless, UConn’s efficiency on the ground last week provides optimism.
Eastern Michigan’s defense has been the the team’s biggest liability.
The Eagles defense allows 37 points nearly 500 yards per game on average to opponents, including 279 yards on the ground. Facing a backup quarterback could be the break this unit needs to get back on track. Defensive back Bryce Llewellyn is an ever-present force in the secondary, leading the team with 41 tackles in the back end. Marco Patierno (32 tackles) leads the linebacking corps in Eastern Michigan’s 4-2-5. The pass rush needs to improve, combining for two sacks on the year. They face a formidable Buffalo line that has allowed three sacks in five games.
Prediction
While Buffalo is a team in decline with a backup quarterback, Eastern Michigan’s defensive liabilities are bigger. Whether Gunnar Gray or Ta’Quan Roberson starts, they should have no issue moving the ball down the field against this struggling defense. The scenario of Eastern Michigan falling behind and having to abandon the run game has occurred many times this year and may play out again. This would cause Eastern Michigan to once again play outside its comfort zone.
Buffalo 35 Eastern Michigan 28
