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In a few days the UB Bulls will be trying to bring home the schools first ever Bowl Win, and in their way are the Troy Trojans.
The Bulls (10-3) will take on Troy (9-3) on Saturday, December 22. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama.
This was arguably UB’s best season of the modern era as the school piled up 10 regular season wins, but a second half collapse in Detroit allowed NIU to beat them in the Mid American Conference Championship game.
Troy finished second in the Sun Belt’s East Division.
After a season opening loss to Boise State, Troy won on the road at Nebraska as part of a 5-1 start to the season. Even when starting quarterback Kaleb Barker was lost for the season in week 6, Troy kept pace with App State in the East division right up until the final showdown between the two teams.
Trojans To Watch:
Troy Linebacker Hunter Reese is the leader of the defensive unit. He is a first-team All-Sun Belt selection for the second straight season. During the year he piled up 59 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.
Running back BJ Smith ran for more than a thousand yards and 12 touchdowns this season. Containing him will be key for hte UB defense.
Nature of the game:
Troy’s offense is capable but this game will come down to UB’s defense and their ability to put in four quarters of work.
Two of UB’s three losses this season came against speed option teams, the third came because the Bulls opponent, NIU, made great adjustments in the second half and UB fell apart.
Key to the game:
Troy is a very well coached football team, you can be sure that if the Bulls come out flying that the Torjan’s will change things up.
While UB has been a very well prepared team this season for most every game, they have struggled to keep up the momentum once an opposing coaching staff changes their method of attack.
Their ability to do that in this game will mean either UB brings home their first Bowl Win, or the end the season on a two game losing streak.