KENT, Ohio — The significant objectives are off the table for the University at Buffalo and the Bulls won't be going bowling, as practically everyone predicted before the start of the season.

Most fans outside of Western New York have forgotten about UB, the 2008 Cinderella story who slipped off the postseason radar after a 27-24 loss to Ohio back on Nov. 10. But at 2 p.m. this afternoon at Dix Stadium, UB (4-7, 2-5 Mid-American Conference) will try and prevent Kent State (5-6, 4-3) from becoming bowl eligible for only the third time since 1987.

The Bulls recognize what's at stake.

"We always talk about finishing strong and how we have to learn how to finish," UB coach Turner Gill said. "I think this will be a great example for our football team to start for the next year but also finishing for the last game of the season."



Kent State is one of nine teams throughout the Football Bowl Subdivision trying to become bowl eligible. It will be a long shot for the Golden Flashes to earn a bowl berth but there's hope.

The Atlantic Coast Conference, for example, has nine bowl spots to fill counting a BCS bowl berth which goes to the winner of the conference championship. The ACC has seven bowl eligible teams with Duke (5-6) one win a way. The Blue Devils host Wake Forest (4-7) on Saturday in an attempt to lock up a bowl bid for the first time since 1995.

Those bowl slots have to be filled, so teams like Kent State, Toledo, UAB, Army and Wyoming — teams who are all one win away from bowl eligibility — still have lots to play for.

"It's possible, but looking at our conference it would be difficult [to earn a bowl bid] this year," said Kent State coach Doug Martin. "But it's still quite an accomplishment for our players."



Then there's UB's recent history with Kent State where there's often an entertaining storyline in the backdrop.

Back in 2005, only days after the school announced the firing of coach Jim Hofher, the Bulls regrouped and defeated Kent State, 10-6, for their only win of the season. The next year, Gill's first season at UB, Kent State came to UB Stadium with a 5-3 record and visions of an East Division championship. They left with a 41-14 loss behind tailback James Starks' 162-yard, three-touchdown opus.

In 2007 with Gill's name linked to the opening at Nebraska, the Bulls were seeking a share of their first division title and won, 30-23, in overtime.

Last season, with UB having already wrapped up the divisional championship, Kent quarterback Julian Edelman and tailback Eugene Jarvis combined for 317 yards rushing in a 24-21 upset at UB Stadium.

The Bulls will be without leading receiver Naaman Roosevelt (St. Joe's), who suffered a meniscus tear in his right knee during the Bulls loss to Ohio. Also out is cornerback Joe Petit (concussion), while tailback Ike Nduka (ankle) and fullback Lawrence Rolle (concussion) are probable.



The Bulls won't get any sympathy from Kent State in regards to injuries. True freshman QB Spencer Keith suffered a third-degree shoulder separation during last Saturday's loss at Temple that will keep him sidelined for six weeks.

"We've played 16 different quarterbacks in five years, so if anybody's had an injury bug issue it's been us," Martin said. "We'll rally around it and find someone back there who can compete."



Kent State will turn to senior Anthony Magazu or sophomore Giorgio Morgan to replace Keith, who was 168 for 294 (57.1 pct.) for 2,147 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven starts. Gill prepared the Bulls this week to face both quarterbacks but the primary concern with Kent State is its defense.

The Flashes rank 17th nationally with 31 sacks which is more than both No. 1 ranked Florida (30) and No. 2 Alabama (28). Junior end Monte Simmons paces the squad with 7 sacks and 13.5 tackles for a loss.

"The thing that stands out about them is their defense," Gill said. "The lead the league in sacks and when you lead the league in sacks you're causing some havoc, you're causing some problems and having a lot of negative plays for the offense."