University at Buffalo quarterback Ta’Quan Roberson was still considered doubtful with a leg injury Thursday afternoon ahead of the football team’s final nonconference game.
Coach Pete Lembo’s Buffalo Bulls (2-2, 1-0 Mid-American Conference) will host Roberson’s former team, the UConn Huskies (2-2), at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at UB Stadium in Amherst. During Tuesday’s news conference, UConn coach Jim Mora said he had “a ton of respect” for Roberson after coaching him in 2022 and 2023.
“It hasn’t been easy for him, but (he’s had) great perseverance, and that to me is just the indicators of a really tough human being, which we knew he was. … I’d be hard-pressed to believe this wouldn’t be a game he’d be back for,” Mora said during Tuesday’s presser.
After exiting Saturday’s 21-17 loss to Troy in the third quarter with an injury, Roberson wore a protective boot on his left leg and did not practice Tuesday. Gunnar Gray was preparing to start at quarterback for Buffalo. When UB fell to UConn 47-3 in 2024, Gray entered the game and threw 11 passes.
Perhaps Gray can give Buffalo’s offense the spark it needs. The Bulls trailed Kent State 14-0 before winning 31-28 two weeks ago. Last week, UB met a sound Troy defense that held the Bulls scoreless during the Trojans’ fourth-quarter comeback.
Gray may not present the same wheels Roberson does on the run, but Lembo would like to keep defenses honest by rushing with his quarterback, no matter who’s under center. Roberson’s 174 rushing yards this season will be missed if he doesn’t play.
Mason Cumbie, Anthony Policare and Jason Wright are Buffalo’s other reserve quarterbacks. Gray is the only one other than Roberson to appear in a game this season.
“They’ve got a great front, but we’re good up front, too,” Gray said. “We’re just going to try to figure out their weaknesses this week and try to exploit that on Saturday.”
Receivers Victor Snow and Nik McMillan may need to return to form for Gray, or whomever plays quarterback for Buffalo. The same goes for Al-Jay Henderson, UB’s running back who has rushed for 283 yards and four touchdowns on 72 carries in four games. Henderson also is important in Buffalo’s passing game. His 13 receptions are second on the team to Snow (16).
Buffalo’s defense, though, should present a challenge for the high-powered Huskies’ offense. In fact, Mora is expecting it. UB linebacker Red Murdock’s defensive unit is tied for No. 1 in the nation with 16 sacks. After collecting seven sacks against Troy, the Bulls are in a four-way tie with Oklahoma, USC and Maryland.
UB’s Kobe Stewart has a team-high 2½ sacks. Dion Crawford recorded both his sacks against the Trojans. Murdock, SaVeon Brown and Junior Poyser have two sacks each. Devin Morgan has 1½ sacks. Miles Greer, Mitchell Gonser, Malin White and Charles McCartherens each have one sack.
Crawford emphasized defensive technique when his Bulls were preparing for the Huskies during Tuesday morning’s practice.
“I feel like our defense is a very technical (and) sound defense,” Crawford said. “So I feel like it’s nothing really to it. We just have to play our base defense and play with technique, and just stop what they do.”
Mora said Buffalo’s defense has “excellent” tacklers who play hard and physical. UConn’s 44-point home win over UB in 2024 is “irrelevant” now.
“(Murdock) was fourth team (preseason) All-American, which is pretty darn good. That was last year and he’s better this year. They pose a significant challenge for us and we’re going to have to be really on point against them,” Mora said.
UConn’s offense presents its own challenge for UB’s defense. The Huskies are averaging nearly 500 yards of total offense and more than 37 points per game. One thing that impressed Lembo was how UConn has not coughed up a turnover.
Huskies quarterback Joe Fagnano has recorded 1,046 passing yards for six touchdowns. Mora, however, was not “pleased” with Fagnano and his receivers failing to connect on downfield throws. The Huskies missed a few deep throws against Ball State in a 31-25 victory last week.
The chemistry between Fagnano and slot receiver Skyler Bell, though, has been undeniable. Bell has 445 yards and three touchdowns on 36 catches, 22 more than Reymello Murphy, who’s second on UConn with 14 receptions. Lembo complimented Mora on how he rotates many receivers. The Huskies have 15 players who have a reception this season.
Lembo said his Bulls had their best week of preparation “by far” entering last week’s loss to Troy. He took the blame for losing a 17-point fourth-quarter lead and planned to have Buffalo ready to play a complete, 60-minute game against UConn.
“I feel like I’m cramming for a test this week because there’s a real sense of urgency to get this thing figured out with a very, very talented UConn team coming in,” Lembo said.
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Marquel Slaughter
College sports reporter
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