The Spectrum Volume 63 Issue 17

Page 1

Gandolfini shines in posthumous film Enough Said

Buffalo seeks first-ever win against EMU Eagles THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT PUBLICATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO, SINCE 1950

ubspectrum.com

MAC East Preview: Bulls face tough squads in division

Friday, October 4, 2013

Page

4

Page

8

Page

8

Volume 63 No. 17

Satriani shreds Famed guitarist commands the CFA stage JOE KONZE JR News Editor

You may only get one chance to witness greatness and a multiGrammy Award-winning guitarist. For some music lovers, that chance came Tuesday night when Joe Satriani performed at UB. Satriani has become one of the most well respected instrumental-rock guitarists in the world. On Tuesday night, the legendary artist illuminated the Center For the Arts (CFA) stage with his melodic and pentatonic scales and pig squeals bouncing off the walls, creating an arena-rock type of atmosphere. His clean, smooth-sounding four-piece band played a solid show on the “Unstoppable Momentum” tour, taking the audience through a euphoric dream of metal, rock, jazz and funk with a sprinkle of country. At 7:30 p.m., The Steve Morse Band provided a strong opening. They performed from a plethora of genres – including country, jazz and rock – and captured the audience’s attention with a driving bass line, which contained the right amount of percussion to accompany the mixture of high-pitched notes. But the deepest feeling of Morse’s set came when he switched to acoustic guitar and fingerpicked his way through the minds of the audience, reeling them into his performance. By the time Morse had completed his set, he left the crowd wanting more.

Jeff Scott, The Spectrum

Joe Satriani brought the crowd to their feet at the Center For the Arts on Tuesday. The concert was part of his “Unstoppable Momentum” tour promoting his new album.

Around 8:30 p.m., the lights went out. The stage was pitch black. The crowd rumbled with applause. They knew a guitar god was in their presence. A man in all black, wearing sunglasses, emerged from the darkness with his signature orange Ibanez JS 1200. As soon as he played his first note, the crowd erupted with chants of “Let’s go, Joe” that reverberated throughout the CFA. Satriani, who is known for his heavy rock and well thought-out guitar solos, sported all-black attire – jeans, boots and shirt – to match his black sunglasses. His “Joe Cool” swagger, along with his harmonic ensemble, was impeccable. For William T. Grady III of East Aurora, this was his first Sa-

triani performance. His dad took him as a birthday present. “I love Joe Satriani,” Grady said. “I love his style, and he’s a great musician. One of the best of all-time.” Mike Kenneally, a former member of the Frank Zappa band, who played keyboard and guitar, complemented Satriani as the two exchanged guitar solos on stage. But through the exchanged riffs were two men jamming out and enjoying the presence of one another’s musicianship. An ongoing light show engulfed the background of the stage, surrounded the band and hypnotized the crowd as they bobbed their heads up and down in approval. SEE SATRIANI, PAGE 2

Success through defeat

Ciggia uses drive, willingness to stand out to overcome obstacles

SA presidential debate draws small crowd

Two of seven candidates participate SAM FERNANDO

Senior News Editor

Juan D. Pinzon, The Spectrum

After losing last spring’s Student Association’s presidential election, Carson Ciggia has enjoyed working in project implementation at Ellicott Development in Buffalo.

JOE KONZE JR

News Editor

As the final minutes ticked away in the March Student Association election, Carson Ciggia stood motionless; his mind wandered off. Earlier that day, Ciggia and his campaign partner and runningmate, Christian Andzel, were eating pizza at La Rosa in The Commons, talking about what would happen if they won. Or what would happen if they lost. Ciggia wanted to stay positive, but he had seen the large number of students supporting the Spirit Party all week. Ciggia lost to Spirit candidate Nick Johns by 380 votes. Johns would go on to resign just a month into the academic year, fending off a slew of allegations and an impeachment. So, who is the man that could have been – but never will be – student body president?

He considered running in next week’s reelection, but opted out. He’s happy where he is. When the final results were announced in March and he wasn’t on the winning side, he was disappointed – not only for himself but for his team and the candidates running with him. “When I walked into the [SA office] and I saw [Treasurer Justin Neuwirt] and T.C. Scott sitting there, and I saw the look on their face, I knew before they even announced the numbers that we were done,” Ciggia said. “They were both pasty white; they looked like sheets.” Ciggia, a senior business administration major, is just over six months removed from the last election and is now working as an intern at Ellicott Development in downtown Buffalo. Though he failed to win the election, those who know him say he is a natural leader with qualities that are difficult to define.

Recovering from the election has not been difficult for Ciggia – he has learned throughout his life how to persist through tumult. Soon after his parents’ divorce in 2002, Ciggia started attending school in the Williamsville Central School District, instead of Clarence, where he had attended before. “I had to be mother and father to him because his father isn’t around for him for anything,” said Cindy Marvak, Ciggia’s mother. “[The absence of his father] made him stronger. He never felt sorry for [himself]. While attending Heim Middle School in Williamsville, Ciggia experienced occasional bullying for wearing a shirt and tie to school almost every day. His thought process was to dress as if he was going to work every day. SEE Ciggia, PAGE 2

On Thursday night, the seven Student Association presidential candidates were scheduled to participate in a debate in the Student Union Theatre. Sam McMahon and Jessica Honan, however, were the only two who took part. In a debate that lasted just over 30 minutes, Honan and McMahon answered a series of questions from SA Chief of Staff Jennifer Merckel, Spectrum Editor in Chief Aaron Mansfield and Elections and Credentials Chair Stephen Rupp in front of an audience of approximately 20 people, most of whom were SA officials. Rupp said one candidate, Mohammad Alwahaidy, had a class that he couldn’t miss to attend the debate. Another candidate, Michael Simons, was home in Rochester because he thought the debate was on Friday. Rupp hadn’t heard back from the other candidates. The highlight of the event occurred near the end of the debate. Merckel asked Honan a question from the audience. “There is no doubt SA is a complex organization,” Merckel said. “With your lack of SA experience and after hearing ideas form the other candidates, do you still fell you are the best person for the job?” Honan said she believes her inexperience shouldn’t deter voters. “I am super hardworking,” Honan said. “I am super flexible. I am really good at change.

Daniele Gershon, The Spectrum

Jessica Honan and Sam McMahon were the only two of the seven total Student Association presidential candidates to participate in the debate Thursday night. The event had about 20 attendees and lasted just over 30 minutes.

I will work as hard and as much as it takes. I don’t like sleep, but I really like coffee … I know I don’t have that much SA experience … There are people who don’t always have that much experience and do really amazing things when they are put in that position.” McMahon chose to respond to Honan’s answer. “Any other time, I would say this would be a great thing to have someone who just wants to get involved, and somebody who doesn’t know that much but is willing to learn, join the Student Association and even come in at that level,” said McMahon, the current SA senior office manag SEE DEBATE, PAGE 2


ubspectrum.com

2

Friday, October 4, 2013

Continued from page 1: Ciggia “Kids in middle school tend to be cookie cut-outs,” said Sam Endich, Ciggia’s middle school counselor. “Carson had different interests. He didn’t stick out, but he didn’t fit the ‘mold of middle school.’ What I thought was great about Carson was, he was always comfortable in his own skin.” Ciggia didn’t listen to those who critiqued his ‘dress for success’ mentality. He prided himself on embracing Warren Buffet’s belief that stepping outside of your comfort zone is essential to success. He had bigger goals in his mind than most middle school students had at the time, Endich said. Ciggia began to ask more questions in class when he transferred schools. This is where Ciggia said he began to grow as a person. While kids his age were playing video games instead of doing their homework, Ciggia spent his time studying and focusing on

his goals. It was only after he was done that he would allow himself to have fun. “[In] sixth grade, first marking period, he got a 63 in math,” Endich said. “He never, ever got another low grade in math ever again. Not only did he used to refer to that in seventh or eighth grade, [but] when he came back in this spring, he remembered and talked about the 63.” His eagerness and willingness to learn were traits that set him apart from his peers, Endich said. Others say his resiliency was evident throughout his time at Williamsville North High School. As part of an entrepreneurship program through his high school, Ciggia became chief operating officer of the “Hot Spot,” a coffee shop that has been present at the school since 1997. “Carson took the bull by the horns,” said Carol Kontchegulian, Ciggia’s high school business teacher. “He really wanted

to [be a part of Hot Spot]; he really wanted to learn as much as possible.” Ciggia’s fervor for learning the structure of business and how to be a businessman stems from the influence of his grandfather, Gojok Mavrak, who also went by the name Mike. Mavrak, who passed away in 2000, emigrated from Greece to America and raised himself since he was a kid. His hardworking mentality laid the roots for Ciggia’s drive. “My dad passed away when [Carson] was 8 or 9 years old,” Cindy said. “[My father] was so focused on business, and last night, Carson was talking about, ‘Do you remember when I went into papa’s store? And he showed me this and that – that is when I decided that I wanted to [get involved in] business.’” Mavrak opened the first Jubilee Foods supermarket in Western New York, according to Cindy. Ciggia has pictures of his

grandfather throughout his room and is always wondering what his papa would think of his accomplishments. Ciggia said having the motivation of his grandfather and the dream of becoming a successful businessman in mind made the transition to college life easier. When he was a freshman in college, he had to take calculus as a business major. Ciggia said it was “the hardest class [he] ever had to take.” He made it a priority to go to his professor’s office hours almost every day. “I used to go Friday nights; I used to go any time I could go,” Ciggia said. “And at one point, she would send out the spreadsheet to see who was the top in the class and I was the top in the class with the [most] points.” He ended up with an A in the class and only had to answer one question on his final. And for most of his college career, Ciggia has maintained a

near 4.0 grade point average, reiterating the importance he places on education. Today, Ciggia is thankful he had the opportunity to campaign as SA president and contemplated running in next week’s reelection. He decided, however, to withdraw his name. He is content with spending his time at his internship at Ellicott Development, where he works for businessman and political activist Carl Paladino. “I’ve been given great opportunities by Carl Paladino and I’m learning more than I ever have in my life,” Ciggia said. Some candidates might be bitter after losing a student government election, but Ciggia said he is thankful for the experience – just another time he is comfortable standing out.

stitution, which would eliminate the “executive hiring power” and replace it with a system in which two of the three e-board members must agree before hiring a staff member. Rupp was disappointed there were only about 20 people in attendance, though he wasn’t surprised. He said the short time between the resignation and the election didn’t give SA a lot of time to market the event. Generally, only 10 percent of undergraduates vote in the annual election, he said. But Rupp is unsure of how many students

will participate in the reelection. “In general, the students don’t seem to know too much about the Student Association and some people are not comfortable voting,” Rupp said. The election is slated to take place in the Student Union Monday and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

“Crowd Chant,” and the CFA was vibrating with applause. “I’ve seen him a bunch of times,” said Sean Gregory of Buffalo. “Yeah, he’s always good. He always comes out at the end of his sets.” Satriani’s tour continues to

Canada with a show tonight in Moncton, New Brunswick. The next concert at the CFA will be Herbie Hancock on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

email: news@ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 1: Debate er. “But in this election, I think it is really crucial that somebody who has SA knowledge and experience takes over. “Given the point of the year it is, given how much has happened to date, how much events have been planned [and] how many contracts we have out with different organizations, it is important that someone who knows those aspects already steps in and can take the reins with a minimal learning curve.” The evening revolved mainly around the candidates elaborating on their platforms.

McMahon has proposed an idea to create a holiday bus system that would take students to and from the airport around the various breaks at UB. He said it would be a step that is beneficial to most students, considering many are not local. He also mentioned looking into an SA-subsidized taxi system for students. Honan said if elected, she would change the way SA officials are evaluated. She said there would be surveys for club members to fill out and determine what officials would need to improve upon.

The candidates agreed with each other on a number of issues. They said they would try to foster a better relationship with The Spectrum and reform the way club rollover budgets are handled. They both emphasized the importance of the clubs’ interests and communication between various SA organizations like the Assembly and Senate. They also agreed that in some aspects, the president has too much power, specifically the position’s power to have the final say in all staff hires. McMahon proposed a change to the con-

email: news@ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 1: Satriani Satriani’s high energy on stage spread throughout the crowd as fans played air guitar and ripped their shirts off in excitement. The mood bounced from the audience to the stage, keeping spirits up all night. “It looked like they were hav-

ing a lot of fun out there,” said Rylan Skelly, a college student from Waterloo, Ontario. “[The band] did a lot of improv, which was inspiring to me. I’ve been coming down [to Buffalo] for concerts for the past five years with my dad. This is a great ven-

ue.” After set concluded, the crowd’s uproar continued. As fans began to file out and head home for the night, Satriani returned to the stage for a twosong, roughly 20-minute encore. He played his popular hit

email: arts@ubspectrum.com

COLLEGE

STUDENTS 20% OFF

ALL

full-price

EMS® brand items

15% OFF national brand items ALL

full-price

Eastern Mountain Sports EMS Amherst

$20 PRESALE $25 AT THE DOOR HOSTED BY: SHREDD & RAGAN

SAT., OCTOBER 26, 2013 DOORS AT 6PM

CONNECTICUT STREET ARMORY LIVE MUSIC:

SUCKERPUNCH  STEALIN’  ROUTE 66/ NERDS TICKETS SOLD AT: TICK

TICKETMASTER.COM, VARIETY CLUB BOX OFFICE OR BY PHONE 8547577 FOOD AND FULL BAR 10X MORE BEER STATIONS PARKING: AVAILABLE AT D'YOUVILLE COLLEGE

$2,000 GRAND PRIZE FOR BEST COSTUME FOOD AND FULL BAR AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE

It all starts here. Amherst

Boulevard Consumer Square, 716-838-4200

ems.com


OPINION EDITOR Eric Cortellessa NEWS EDITORS Sam Fernando, Senior Joe Konze Jr. LIFE EDITORS Keren Baruch, Senior Sharon Kahn, Senior Alyssa McClure, Asst. ARTS EDITORS Max Crinnin, Senior Rachel Kramer, Asst. Felicia Hunt, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS Jon Gagnon, Senior Ben Tarhan, Senior Owen O’Brien PHOTO EDITORS Aline Kobayashi, Senior Juan David Pinzon, Asst. Daniele Gershon, Asst. CARTOONIST Jeanette Chwan CREATIVE DIRECTORS Brian Keschinger Haider Alidina, Asst. PROFESSIONAL STAFF OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR Helene Polley ADVERTISING MANAGER Emma Callinan Drew Gaczewski, Asst. Chris Mirandi, Asst. ADVERTISING DESIGNER Haley Sunkes Haley Chapman, Asst. Ashlee Foster, Asst.

October 4, 2013 Volume 63 Number 17 Circulation 7,000

The views expressed – both written and graphic – in the Feedback, Opinion, and Perspectives sections of The Spectrum do not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial board. Submit contributions for these pages to The Spectrum office at Suite 132 Student Union or news@ubspectrum.com. The Spectrum reserves the right to edit these pieces for style and length. If a letter is not meant for publication please mark it as such. All submissions must include the author’s name, daytime phone number, and email address. The Spectrum is provided free in part by the Undergraduate Mandatory Activity Fee. The Spectrum is represented for national advertising by MediaMate. For information on adverstising with The Spectrum visit www.ubspectrum.com/advertising or call us directly at (716) 645-2152. The Spectrum offices are located in 132 Student Union, UB North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260-2100

Paladino wrong to seek Brown’s ousting

Last week, Carl Paladino was at it again. He attempted to assemble a coalition of fellow Buffalo Board of Education members to remove Pamela Brown as superintendent. This measure failed, as five members voted for Brown to keep her position. Paladino wanted to terminate Brown’s contract without cause and had repeatedly denigrated her as not qualified for her position. Brown – a graduate of Stanford and Harvard – had in the past held the position of assistant superintendent of Philadelphia. Before being named to her current position in July 2012, Brown was the senior research and planning associate at the Center for Educational Leadership and Technology in Marlborough, Mass. So we are not quite sure from what measuring rubric Paladino is basing his dismissal of her. “I certainly am up to the job,” she was quoted as saying in The Buffalo News. “I know there’s been some mention of my not having managerial experience. I have about 20 years of experience managing schools and large departments in other school districts. I have managed thousands of people prior to coming to Buffalo.” Board member Sharon BeltonCottman has vocalized opposition to the claims made by Paladino and others, saying that under Brown we have seen progress and that she simply has not been in office long enough yet to be judged completely on the merits.

WA N

MANAGING EDITORS Lisa Khoury Sara DiNatale

E CH

EDITOR IN CHIEF Aaron Mansfield

OPINION TO MEASURE WITH TIME BY JEA NET T

EDITORIAL BOARD

3

ART

Friday, October 4, 2013 ubspectrum.com

“This superintendent has been abused,” she said. “She has been abused on many levels.” Brown has only had one full academic year to affect any change. While graduation rates are still appallingly low, they have increased during her tenure thus far, according to The News. There is no doubt that more needs to be done and we need to see serious reform take place in our public school system. Brown, however, deserves more time. Paladino’s efforts at initiating her ousting are unsubstantiated, and the fact that he could not provide cause in a termination measure elucidates that. What is troublesome about this endeavor to remove Brown is that

Not-so-great expectations SAM FERNANDO

Senior News Editor

Next week, the Student Association is holding an election in search of its new president. The president has arguably the most power in SA, so some might think there is a lot of pressure on the six candidates seeking the position to have a successful year. But is there really? It’s no secret SA has been marred with controversy over the past five years or so. If it isn’t laundering money or punching a fellow student in the face, the SA e-board sure knows how to set the bar low for the incoming administration. Last year, President Travis Nemmer ran a pretty smooth administration – except for the accusations from then-Treasurer Justin Neuwirt that he had tried to rig the 2013-14 SA election, and the fact that testimony from various SA staffers suggested the communication between Nemmer and Neuwirt was virtually non-existent. But still, because no one in his administration did anything worse than launder $300,000 in a fraudulent mobile application – something the previous administration’s treasurer had done – by comparison, Nemmer’s presidency was pretty ‘successful.’ Even with a bar so low, however, this year’s administration managed to trip over it and push the bar even further into the ground. And, remarkably, it took only four weeks into the semester. Unlike most elected officials, our next president won’t be

judged on the things he or she did well. Instead, the person will be judged on whether he or she managed to avoid scandal. And that is a shame. SA, which has a budget of $3.6 million, has the capability to do amazing things. And the truth is, it does do a lot. Last year, I saw firsthand a group of SA senators do everything in their power to send the women’s club rugby team to nationals – a feat the club had never accomplished and couldn’t afford. The Senate worked diligently to find the funds to send the team to Stanford, Calif. And they succeeded. It is unfortunate that the cloud of controversy that still looms over the organization overshadows stories like this. The standard for a successful presidency has somewhat become a joke. To put it simply, just don’t screw up. You would think this simple piece of advice should be obvious and is inherently intertwined with the position itself, but clearly it is not. Maybe if the past five e-boards had heard that, the connotation of ‘SA’ would actually be positive. But it is more than that. I feel our student government has become a place where complacency outweighs drive. I may be wrong. In fact, I hope I am wrong. What I do know is there are a lot of people within SA who are trying to allow it to reach its full potential. And every time a scandal surfaces, their work is overlooked. Two such people are SA Vice President Lyle Selsky and Treasurer Siddhant Chhabria. In the time after Johns’ resignation, they have both stepped up to a challenge they could have never anticipated, and, in many ways, they’ve handled it almost seamlessly. The new president should be one to complement the job they have done thus far. SEE EXPECTATIONS, PAGE 5

Paladino has shown no intention to work with her to improve the school system, but to simply try and get her out. The problems Buffalo’s public schools face are systemic. There needs to be strong leadership able to form a cohesive sense of the vision the Board needs and the policies they need to implement for the sake of the children in our community. Pointing fingers and trying to oust the superintendent without cause is not the way the board members should be operating if it is to seriously hope to function properly and alleviate the problems our schools are facing. It is important as an institution that members conduct themselves

in a manner congruent with the values it aims to propel forward. The Board of Education should aspire to improve our schools and spread educational opportunities throughout the city. Paladino’s behavior reflects the very opposite of the education we want to see here in Buffalo. It is vitally important that we increase access to high-quality education for more children living in this city, but it is important that those in positions of responsibility act in a way that the values that education provides would condone. The majority of the board members made the right call in voting to uphold Brown in her position. We are hoping Paladino accepts this and moves on. It should be his aim at this point to work with what is available and contribute to a collaborative effort at reforming and improving our public schools. Students in the Buffalo School System are likely to be part of the next generation of the UB community. Members of the community now should embrace the platform that Brown needs more time to implement policies and be the positive agent of change we need. Be sure to pay attention and call the members’ offices with complaints and ideas. Improving educational systems is more than just a civic responsibility; it is a moral one. email: editorial@ubspectrum.com

Crossing a threshold A look at SA in the interim We disagree with Elad Eliahu’s assertion that the Student Association cheated him. Last week, Eliahu ran as an independent candidate for one of the six on-campus SA senator positions. He lost by 33 votes and then claimed SA sabotaged his candidacy. There are several problems with the accusations he has brought forward. He was already running one versus six and lacked the political upper hand. He served a 20-minute penalty for what should have been two hours. His main complaint was that the time that he was removed from the floor was the time he could have assembled enough voters to propel a win. Only 15 people voted during that time, however, so it is mathematically impossible that it would have made a difference. In light of the Senate election, it is important for us, the students, to use this time to cogitate on the manner in which SA has operated during this crisis period and the manner in which we must conduct ourselves during this upcoming presidential election. One thing Eliahu said with some validity was the way students get harassed in the Student Union to go and vote. The common student who doesn’t follow SA and is just trying to get through his or her day and get to class is not interested in being toppled by some of SA’s finest. There needs to be a new line of communication between SA and the student body. We don’t want to be harassed in the Union and SA candidates should recognize that and accept that it is a feckless political maneuver.

What matters most during the upcoming special election next week is that students are discerning enough to seek out the information necessary to make a good decision. We have written before on the importance of this upcoming election. It is imperative we choose the best qualified and most capable candidate to lead SA out of the duress it has been under with a controversial start to the academic year. Moreover, there are two things that must be posited in this delicate time: Candidates must not overwhelm students in the Union trying to go about their business, and students need to be engaged in the election process. We would also like to recognize Lyle Selsky for the grace under pressure he has exemplified during the interim period. He has been all over the place, working with clubs and facilitating the endorsements. He has maintained dignity in a distressing period and has been a source of optimism for us following SA and wondering how it will proceed. Last year during our endorsements, we really liked Selsky and felt he had a grounded and progressive vision for our student government; Nick Johns, however, gave us a different impression. Selsky deserves commendation and we are happy to give it to him. In the meantime, we are now in a period of liminality – the state of being on a threshold. We are no longer this but not yet that. What students and SA need to keep in mind at this juncture is what they want “that” to be. email: editorial@ubspectrum.com


4

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT The ones who could do it best were the most complex – the most able to capture the essence of all the different characters in their own minds. As David Denby has said, “Stars hold your attention just by being what they are. In their very existence on-camera, they express a vivid or extreme human possibility, a projection of personal power onto the world.” Stars of that sort do still exist. They are scattered frivolously throughout the industrial landscape of the international film community (which now belongs to the global marketplace). And what can induce despair in the cinephile who believes in the power that actors can have on the culture is when talent of the highest caliber never realizes its fullest range. James Gandolfini had that power – that presence of unbounded human vulnerability that could live within the most monstrous of male sadists. His famed role of Tony Soprano was a monster; he was a murderer and a husband, a mob boss and a father, a philanderer and a fisherman, a brutalist in psychiatry working through the agita of existential anxiety; he was all these things at once, and he conveyed this character with a sense of totality – a full-fledged image brought to life through a series of expressed psychological patterns. Gandolfini absorbed the role so acutely it was evident he could not avoid the inevitability of being typecasted. Not since Seinfeld had an actor’s identity been so connected with the role they became famous for.

CAUTION

CAUTION

CAUTION

CAUTION

Studio: Fox Searchlight

Release Date: Sept. 18

COURTESY OF FOX SEARCHLIGHT

After his death in June, swarms of recollections surfaced the Internet, and Anthony Lane of The New Yorker observed that even with his enormous capabilities, and with Not Fade Away being overlooked, Gandolfini could only fully embody a certain type of role. The persona of Tony Soprano reflected not only an embedded cultural icon, but also an insight into the limitations of his acting versatility. Part of the excitement that has surrounded the release of Enough Said, the new film by Nicole Holofcener (Please Give), has been to see one of Gandolfini’s last film performances. What audiences who are primarily familiar with Gandolfini through his role on The Sopranos will notice is that Lane’s assessment was far from true. And it is his performance that provides the film its depth and ethos – what makes it a discerning look at the intricacies of human relationships; the alteration his role reflects from past performances changes the relationship we may have thought we had with him.

CAUTION

Enough Said is rhapsodic but easygoing – it is a formulaic romcom that breaks free of certain conventions to become a charming examination of the minutiae of middle-age life. Albert (James Gandolfini, Not Fade Away) and Eva (Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Veep) meet at a cocktail party one evening where they each admit that neither of them is attracted to the other. Through an insipid sequence of events, they begin dating. Each is a divorced parent with a teenage daughter getting ready to leave home for college; they meet at similar stages of life and share a playful sense of humor with clairvoyant ease to mask their shared anxieties of aging, self-assurance, self-sufficiency, intimacy and the prospect of really living alone. Eva is a trendy masseuse with high energy; she moves along day to day with an aura of spontaneity that softens the intensity of her emotional need. At the same party she meets Albert, she meets Marianne (Catherine Keener, A Late Quartet), a granola-type vegan poet whom later she strikes up a friendship with

after Marianne first becomes a client. They talk and develop a bond. Marianne confides in Eva over trivial annoyances and her exhusband – a fat slob who was nothing but a source of irritation. Later, Eva realizes that slob was Albert. Louis-Dreyfus brings quaint forms of expression to Eva, an independent woman with real wit and a knack for self-deprecating humor. She’s exposed in a way she hasn’t been before, and in middle age, she remains voluptuous and tantalizingly seductive. Even her daughter’s friends come to her for sex advice. She is stylish and able to impart the kind of mentality that adolescents can relate to – she’s unsure of herself and what she wants. In this film, it’s her mental impenetrability that makes her so desirable. And Eva is at the center of Holofcener’s comedy of self-consciousness, and Albert justifies it – his awkwardness benefits from its earnestness. When she meets Albert, all her ideas about herself become subject to questioning. The spark of new romance removes her from her own world and offers the possibility of something new. They both have daughters, but when Eva meets Albert’s it quickly becomes evident she’s a privileged snob – when they all meet to have lunch, she insists they eat at a more upscale restaurant. She even lacks the presence of mind to resist disparaging Sarah Lawrence College after Eva tells her that’s where her daughter is planning on going. see Enough Said, page 6

CAUTION

Attention Students As you may know, the University is facing increasing pressure from the University Heights community to end Stampede bus service that now runs between campuses 24 hours a day. Members of the community are expressing outrage over overcrowded parties, litter and disorderly behaviors exhibited by students in the neighborhood. While the Stampede serves an important function moving the campus community between campuses, the service may be in jeopardy because a small number of students are creating a significant nuisance for the community. Buffalo Police, Amherst Police and University Police are committed to maintaining the quality of life in our community. They will be strictly enforcing disorderly conduct, open container, underage drinking, DWI/DUI and other ordinances in the weeks ahead. Be aware! Students should also know that the University Heights area is considered a “target rich” environment for crime. Intoxicated people, people traveling alone or in pairs, carrying cell phones or laptops, outside of well lighted areas, or on campus and people using headphones are particularly viewed as prime targets. http://www.studentaffairs.buffalo.edu/public-safety/in the past week alone, there have been reports of knifings, armed assaults, burglaries and robbery in the neighborhood. Be aware. Consider crime, housing conditions, and community standards when making housing decisions. Please protect yourselves at all times, and when in the community, exhibit the same courtesy, respect and behavior that you would exhibit back home or on campus. And consider alcohol free programs on campus and elsewhere in the community. http://www.student-affairs.buffalo.edu/activities. Off-Campus Student Services

CAUTION

CAUTION

Grade: B

CAUTION

For those of us unlucky to miss living through the Hollywood Golden Age, it is banal and even cynical to note how a major distinction between today’s cinema, and the cinema of that period, is the role that stars occupy in the lives of the audience. There is star-power today but it exists in a different form. No longer do actors work in the same studio system (1930s-50s) when audiences became so familiar with the character roles of certain actors that each performance was a variation of the same character. With each new film, it was interesting to see what adjustments the actor made to an evolving repertory role. You could get Humphrey Bogart in The Maltese Falcon and then in Casablanca and you would be getting the same character in a different role. There are actors today whose repertoire falls under that same sort of category, but not to the effect of such power. And as trite as it is to say, there are no more ‘Bogarts’ stumbling along Hollywood’s lost corridors. With the emergence of stars like Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift following the days of Bogart and Jimmy Stewart, however, the perception of acting changed. It became a different way of embodying a role – they were products of method acting and were less concerned with inflating their own personality; it was about making the character’s personality their own. As more stars emerged out of the method training, a platitude about actors was amplified that they are people without any established identity. They need characters to be someone – themselves.

Film: Enough Said

CAUTION

By Eric Cortellessa, Opinion Editor

Gandolfini shines in posthumous release

CAUTION

GOING STEADY

Friday, October 4, 2013 ubspectrum.com

CAUTION


ubspectrum.com

Friday, October 4, 2013

5

Continued from page 3: Expectations With the election a few days away, I am sure we are going to hear phrases like “restoring faith in SA” and “changing a culture.” But it’s time to stop talking about it and start being about it. The bar is low – probably lower than ever before. So, Mohammad, Kyle, Jessica, James, Sam, Amber and Michael: I urge you to not be satisfied with being adequate, even if adequacy would be a great improvement upon years past. Prove me wrong. Make the rest of the year more than a ‘success.’ Good luck. And may the best candidate win. email: sam.fernando@ubspectrum.com

welcome to your new health plan.

REMEMBER: Insurance waiver deadline is October 9th, 2013!

AVg\Zhi adXVa$cVi^dcVa cZildg` d[ YdXidgh VcY ]dhe^iVah CVi^dcl^YZ egZhXg^ei^dc egd\gVb =ZVai] VcY lZaacZhh egd\gVbh 9^hXdjci egd\gVb

Editor’s note: This article is satirical and is not meant to be taken literally. ‘Carson’ is a pen name. Dear Carson, I used to think I was every girl’s dream catch. I’m smart and funny, and I have a good sense of style. I’m nice, but I’m not too nice. I’m like the guy that Vince Vaughn perfectly describes in the 1996 classic, Swingers – I’m “the guy in the rated-R movie, you know, the guy you’re not sure whether or not you like yet. You’re not sure where he’s coming from.” Well, Vince, it’s not working. I get no action whatsoever. This strategy might be “money” for a guy in the real adult dating world, but it doesn’t translate to the college party scene. What I need is the juicehead game. The Dom Mazzetti game. The game that’s going to get some wild, dirty, slutty creatures to come home from South Campus to my dorm with me at the end of the night. Above all, I need muscles. The tools I see bringing home all the girls probably major in communication and struggle to choose between their favorite TAPOUT or Ed Hardy garment during “t-shirt time” before the bar, but it works. These guys put up 225 at least eight times for three sets, and right now I’m maxing out at 10 pushups. I ask that you reserve your judgment on my morals and ethics with regard to sleeping around – do you want me to be the next 40-year-old virgin? Help me get big ASAP. Sincerely, The Little Guy Dear Guy, I can’t believe you thought I would

;dg bdgZ ^c[dgbVi^dc dc i]ZhZ hZgk^XZh! eaZVhZ gZ[Zg id ndjg HijYZci BZY^XVa >chjgVcXZ EaVc Wdd`aZi#

judge you for trying to get your mate on … come on, bro! I think I’ve said before that monogamous relationships are wickedly mainstream. What I do question here is your specific plan for getting in the sack with the shedevils of Main Street. The fact that this is the gene pool you’re choosing from is disconcerting, but let’s accept that you might really be a tool without even realizing it – I’m not here to judge. I actually really dig the Vince Vaughn thing you’re talking about, but if pumping it up is your chosen path, I’ll give you the best advice I have: Ditch the gym entirely. Hitting the weights, wasting your dough at GNC and shaving your body hair is for the birds. Chicks dig big dudes because they spark an instinct for sexual selection. The more dominant you come off to a potential mate, the more likely she is to let you get it in. Having muscles is a part of that, but being too big is way mainstream. A few years ago, I would have suggested Insanity or CrossFit for getting ripped, but that’s quickly become the midlife crisis of choice for every soccer mom that retired after her third kid was born. Let’s get you on my Concrete Jungle Playground Pump Plan. This is perfect for a college student busy with lots of work and partying. Essentially, every time you see an ideal branch on a tree, do some pull-ups; every time you pass a playground, do some dips; every time you see something heavy, pick it up. Use your surroundings! You’ll be feeling the pump in no time, bro. Arnold Schwarzenegger once said, “The greatest feeling you can get in the gym is the pump. It’s as satisfying to me as cumming is.” With my plan, you’ll be cumming in no time.

Check out our seasonal flavors Spiced Apple Pie & Pumpkin Pie!! Our other popular flavors include Seasalt Caramel Pretzel, Red Velvet, Birthday Cake & many more!!

802 ELMWOOD AVE BUFFALO, NY 14222

7320 NIAGARA FALLS BLVD NIAGARA FALLS, NY 14304

6 Y^k^h^dc d[ =ZVai]Cdl CZl Ndg` >cX#! Vc ^cYZeZcYZci a^XZchZZ d[ i]Z 7ajZ8gdhh 7ajZH]^ZaY 6hhdX^Vi^dc#

1750 NIAGARA FALLS BLVD. HOURS TONAWANDA 14150 SUN-THURS 12PM-10:30PM FRI-SAT 12PM- 11PM WWW.WHITERABBITFROZENYOGURT.COM

837.3604

SBI Student Medical Insurance www.healthinsurance.buffalo.edu

“Premier WNY Tanning salons” Tanning Buffalo Bodies over 25 years. The only place in WNY to get a tan

1551 Niagara Falls Blvd Amherst, NY 14228

www.Facebook.com/BestTanEver www.Twitter.com/BestTanEver www.ExtremeSunTanning.com

Only minutes away from UB north campus and a short drive from south campus

BUY ONE WEEK GET ONE WEEK FREE *Any level, free week will be of equal or lesser value

Expires: 12/31/13

Acne? Eczema? Psoriasis?

RENEW your skin with RED LIGHT Therapy

Buy 2 weeks get 2 weeks FREE. Expires: 12/31/13

3637 Union Rd Cheektowaga, NY

VERSA SUNLESS Spray Tan $8 Expires: 12/31/13

Get a MAGIC tan. Beautiful bronze tan in 12 minutes, NO BURN. Try it today only $8 a visit. Regular price $18. Expires: 12/31/13

5150 Broadway Depew, NY 14043

2 months UNLIMITED tanning ONLY $22 *Students Only *Level 1 Only

Expires: 12/31/13

25% OFF

any lotion or teeth whitener.

Expires: 12/31/13

1402 French Rd Depew, NY 14043


ubspectrum.com

6

Continued from page 8: Scouting Prediction The Bulls will advance to a 3-2 record for the first time in their FBS history. As much as last week’s game against UConn was a ‘must-win,’ this game is a ‘should-win.’ In its last two games, Buffalo’s defense has allowed just two total touchdowns in regulation and the Eagles’ offense lacks any explosive weapons. Their defense

isn’t much better, allowing 37 points per game to opponents this season. The Bulls were able to pound the ball on the ground against the Huskies last week, which opened up the passing game for sophomore quarterback Joe Licata. He attempted 19 passes and averaged 17.7 yards per completion.

This is another key game for the Bulls to continue to build confidence before they enter the true rigors of their MAC schedule. Bulls 27, Eagles 13 email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Continued from page 8: Preview Junior running back Trayion Durham earned his first 100yard game this season last week in Kent State’s 32-14 victory over Western Michigan after rushing for over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns last year. Senior running back Dri Archer – whom many consider the best offensive player in the MAC – was injured during the first game of the year and has played in only two games since, rushing six times for 73 yards and catching five passes for 55 yards and a touchdown. He has yet to rush for a touchdown. Ohio (3-1) The Bobcats roll into MAC play after three consecutive home victories. Their lone road game of the season was a 49-7 opening-day blowout to No. 9 Louisville. Senior quarterback Tyler Tettleton has 858 yards and six touchdowns. Senior running backs Ryan Boykin and Beau Blankenship make up the Bobcats’ two-back tandem. Each has 51 carries and similar rushing yards – 201 and 179, respectively. Both backs have scored twice. These three players were major factors last season as Ohio finished 8-4. Look for the experienced players to help the Bobcats in 2013 MAC action.

Massachusetts (0-4) The Minutemen won only one conference game in their inaugural MAC season and don’t appear to be on path to winning more than that this year. They have struggled to begin the season and are one of only two teams in the MAC East to average fewer than 100 yards a game in rushing. Massachusetts opened the year with a 45-0 loss at No. 23 Wisconsin and lost its other three games by a combined score of 85-28. The Minutemen also dropped their home opener to FCS opponent Maine, 24-14. UMass’ passing and rushing offenses are ranked Nos. 109 and 113, respectively, in the country. The lone offensive bright spot appears to be sophomore wide receiver Tajae Sharpe, who has totaled over one-third of the team’s total receiving yards (241) and two of its three touchdowns. Miami Ohio (0-4) In their first four games, the RedHawks have had one of the worst offenses in Division I. Miami Ohio ranks No. 121 in passing yards per game (90.8) and No. 116 in rushing (83.5). They’ve been significantly outmatched – playing against opponents from BCS conferences, Cincinnati, Illinois and Ken-

tucky – and have been outscored 157-35. Senior quarterback Austin Boucher has completed just 43.1 percent of his passes and the team has yet to have a receiver total more than 100 yards in a game. Akron (1-4, 0-1 MAC) The Zips have been one of the worst teams in the MAC for the past three seasons. They’ve won only three games total and one in conference (2010). Their early-season performance so far seems to indicate the Zips may be better than in past years. Behind a 21-point second half and 311-yard performance from sophomore quarterback Kyle Pohl, Akron was just three minutes away from shocking the No. 11 Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Zips have averaged 246.8 yards per game through the air this season, which ranks 53rd in the nation. Wide receivers Zach D’Orazio and L.T. Smith have combined for 511 yards, and D’Orazio has four touchdowns.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Continued from page 4: Enough Said As evident as her pretension is, even more evident is Albert’s genuine affection for her. Regardless of her flaws at the moment, he believes she will find her way once she escapes the currents of adolescence. Meanwhile, Eva is still friends with Marianne unbeknownst to Albert. And for a while, she begins to grow tired of the very idiosyncrasies in Albert that Marianne faults him for. Eventually, of course, Eva’s surreptitious friendship intersects with her developing romance. Amidst all this, the story takes place in a world of unexamined privilege. Eva’s other friend Sara (Toni Collette, The Way, Way Back) berates her housekeeper with a sense of entitlement clichéd in its association with Hollywood housewives. And throughout the film, no one seems to worry about money. With all the itinerant indifference inundating lives of these characters, Albert exemplifies a sense of decency – he’s an honest man. And he’s a departure from the world she’s used to. After her daughter leaves for school and she establishes into a new routine – one that is without Albert – she is shrouded by an incipient emptiness, an ennui. She becomes conflicted by what David Foster Wallace called a particularly American type of loneliness: “The prospect of dying without even once having loved something more than yourself.” By the end, her choice to attempt to reunite with Albert is

what American romantic comedies have been asserting for some time now. And given the nature of it, it makes sense why comedy is the avenue to address it: That it sometimes takes courage to make romantic decisions based on real values. The achievement of this film is how it manages to have Gandolfini symbolize this. For someone long associated with the macabre and morally depraved Tony Soprano (the association’s presence in this film cannot be ignored), he delivers a performance that transcends the boundaries of our horizon of expectations. And we’re no longer engulfed by what is already established, but by how he is able to reinvent himself on the screen. As you watch the film, you realize you’re getting an image of one of the many characters he had in him, and once you leave, you wonder how many others he might have had. The film moves on its own swift rhythms and is well paced; it moves along with the characters. Both of the actors leave no vestige of their famed television roles and give us performances that are alive. They are alive in how they expose the complexities of living in a culture in which values make harder, but ultimately strengthen, the possibility of human connection. email: arts@ubspectrum.com

email: sports@ubspectrum.com

VILLAS AT CHESNUT RIDGE

UNIVERSITY VILLAGE AT SWEETHOME

VILLAS ON RENSCH

buffalo student housing.com

YOUR HOUSING SEARCH STARTS HERE

APPLY ONLINE TODAY FOR FALL 2014

VILLAS AT CHESTNUT RIDGE • UNIVERSITY VILLAGE AT SWEETHOME • VILLAS ON RENSCH

GREAT LOCATIONS—WALK TO CLASS


Friday, October 4, 2013 ubspectrum.com

CLASSIFIEDS

AUTOMOTIVE AUTOMOTIVE 2001 BLACK BUG, excellent- manual, sunroof, a/c, clean. Great on gas! $5000. 716-688-7491. HELPHELP WANTED WANTED MAJOR & MENTOR: To be a Mentor, you don't need any special skills- just an ability to listen, to offer friendship, guidance, & encouragement today to a kid or an adult experiencing loneliness. You'll be amazed by how much you'll get out of the experience! Share what you know. Call Compeer: 716-883-3331, ask for Karen or Stephanie & get started! Making friends and changing lives since 1985.

7

S E R V I C E S SERVICES CITYA1DRIVINGSCHOOL.COM Beginners & brush-up driving lessons. 5hr class $30.00 716-875-4662. A D ADOPTION O P T I O N A MARRIED COUPLE wishing to adopt a baby. We promise to give your child a loving and happy home. Certified adoptive parents. Expenses paid. Please call us anytime 1-888-57-ADOPT norarichadopt@yahoo.com.

BUSY SOLO ATTORNEY specializing in General Practice is looking for a motivated & reliable individual, part-time (15 hr week) to preform a variety of clerical duties along with opening files & assisting with clients. Contact Jason R. DiPasquale, Esq at 716-570-5098. WANTED: DELIVERY DRIVER, no weekends, 9:30-1:30 UB area. 716-5643400/ 716-725-1280. HOUSE FOR RENT HOUSE FOR

RENT

RONYOUNG.COM VIEW PICTURES, room sizes, maps, June 2014. AMHERST 181 WOODCREST: 6BDRM 4 Bath $2,400+ RonYoung.com.

DOWNLAOD THE

LIBERTY YELLOW

APP

Proud Sponsor of the Buffalo Bills

716.877.7111

www.LibertyCab.com

Daily Delights SUDOKU

SPONSORED BY:

buffalostudenthousing.com

Crossword of the Day

HOROSCOPES Friday, October 4, 2013 FROM UNIVERSAL UCLICK

ACROSS 1 Intellectually sharp 5 “Immediately!” 9 Food wrap 14 Rat tail? 15 Dove’s site 16 Napoleon, for one 17 Flaunt boundaries 20 Avocado’s center 21 Agents like Bond 22 “I double ___ you!” 23 Lash out at 25 Flamenco shout 26 Crossed Greek letter 29 Yap 33 “Clueless” phrase 36 British bombers of WWII 37 Flight school achievements 38 Ankle-showing skirt 39 Quid pro quos 42 “The jig ___” 43 Dealers’ clientele 45 A dunker may grab it 46 ___ a one (none) 47 Worst part of preparing to mail a letter, to many 51 Aurora, to Greeks 52 “Anchorman: The Legend of ___ Burgundy” 53 ___ Antilles (Virgin Islands group) 57 Gillian’s “The X-Files” role

58 Honey maker 59 ___ chi ch’uan (martial art) 60 George Washington gave a famous one in 1796 65 Do very well (at) 66 Cuba, to Cubans 67 Away from the wind, on a yacht 68 Smiles expansively 69 Change your story 70 Some hair applications

DOWN 1 Fraternity letter 2 Cases that hold pins and needles 3 Bridge positions 4 Unspecific degree 5 Academic types 6 Pirouette pivots 7 Gobbled down 8 Muscle/bone connection 9 She who prognosticates 10 Connection for some big wheels 11 “Blame It on ___” (Michael Caine flick) 12 Gran Paradiso, for one 13 Word between two surnames, for women 18 Put in long hours 19 Low-lying land

Edited by Timothy E. Parker October 4, 2013 MAIL BONDING By Dom D. Hostaburke

24 Swear to 26 Oklahoma city 27 Wonder’s “My Cherie ___” 28 American mole? 30 Animal foot 31 Joan ___ 32 ___-on (happenings) 33 Cause to laugh 34 Jeremy of “Suburgatory” 35 Concepts 40 Commercial suffix with “Water” 41 Showed pleasure toward 44 Haphazard urban expansions 48 Unassisted 49 Embarrassing way to be caught 50 Can’t be without 54 Engraved stone pillar 55 Art-studio fixture 56 Ascends 57 Have an opinion 58 Indonesian tourist destination 60 Second mo. 61 Fire, as a team manager 62 “His Master’s Voice” org. 63 ‘60s hallucinogen 64 Scrap of cloth

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 22) -- You can learn a great deal from watching someone else at work. You'll enjoy something of a revelation late in the day. SCORPIO (Oct. 23Nov. 21) -- The unanticipated will figure prominently throughout the day. Take care you haven't hamstrung yourself with an unnecessary duty. S A G I T TA R I U S (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) -- Review your past work with someone who can look at it with a fresh and objective eye. He or she will still be on your side. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- What begins or ends today is going to prove quite memorable. In some situations, you'll want things to be old-fashioned.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) -- You're able to get others to do precisely what you want, but this is not a skill that you'll want to misuse or abuse. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) -You may be unusually charming, especially when you are dealing with an issue that could make some people uncomfortable. ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- You may receive permission, at long last, to do something you've long desired to do. Are you still primed and ready? TAURUS (April 20May 20) -- Prospects are brightening at this time. You should be able to change someone's mind and win support from another important someone.

FALL SPACES ARE WHERE YOU SHOULD

BE LIVING! GOING FAST RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE

GEMINI (May 21June 20) -- You may be able to get things done in record time, but not with the level of perfection you're used to. Slow things down, perhaps. CANCER (June 21July 22) -- Circumstances may seem to be conspiring against you, but you have an ace up your sleeve. Play it when the time is right. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- You'll be able to spot more than one opportunity and begin to take advantage of them before nightfall. A friend offers key assistance. VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22) -- You're being pushed in more than one direction at once, and soon it will be time for you to put your foot down.


8

Friday, October 4, 2013 ubspectrum.com

SPORTS

Looking for another first

Bulls seek first-ever win against Eagles Saturday OWEN O’BRIEN

Predictions: Buffalo (-13.5) vs. Eastern Michigan

Sports Editor

After knocking off UConn (04) for the first time in 12 years last week, the football team will face another team it has historically had trouble beating. The Bulls (2-2) host Eastern Michigan (1-3, 0-1 Mid-American Conference) in Saturday’s homecoming game. The Eagles are 5-0 all-time against Buffalo with the teams last meeting in 2011 in Ypsilanti, Mich. If Buffalo emerges victorious, it will advance to 3-2 for the first time since joining the FBS in 1999. “Our team has set goals for ourselves, and it’s important for them to know how to transition out of [last week] and move forward into the preparation against Eastern Michigan,” said head coach Jeff Quinn. The Bulls’ front seven did a tremendous job against UConn in both the run and pass game last week. Connecticut had just .7 yards per rush, and Buffalo sacked the Huskies five times and forced four turnovers. Senior defensive lineman Beau Bachtelle, who had two sacks against the Huskies, talked about how the defensive players fed off of each other’s success. “One fun thing about the turnovers is one guy will get a turnover, then it’s like, ‘I want to get a turnover,’” Bachtelle said. “That’s what’s fun about defense, is that everyone is like competing against each other as they are competing against the other team.”

Aaron Mansfield, @aaroncmansfield (2-2): Buffalo – Gone back and forth on this one, but I think the Bulls can cover the two-TD spread at home against a dreadful EMU squad. Owen O’Brien, @owenobri (3-1): Buffalo – The Bulls’ D has allowed only 22 points during regulation of its last two games. Expect the dominance to continue as the offense puts up enough to beat the spread.

Courtesy of Eastern Michigan Athletics

Eastern Michigan quarterback Tyler Benz has thrown for 872 yards and four touchdowns so far this season. The Bulls host the Eagles on Saturday at noon at UB Stadium.

Eastern Michigan has struggled against a tough schedule to begin the season, including nonconference games against Penn State (3-1) and Rutgers (3-1) and opening its MAC season with Ball State (4-1, 1-0 MAC). The Eagles have been outscored 14871 through the first four games, and their 17.8 points per game is 113th in the nation. Quarterback Tyler Benz has as many interceptions as touchdowns (four). His favorite target has been tight end Tyreese Russell, whom Buffalo’s linebackers have to make adjustments to contain, Quinn said. The Eagles turned the ball over four times in their 5120 loss to Ball State last week.

Quinn hopes his defense can continue to force opponents to turn the ball over, not only to electrify the ‘D’ but the offense as well. “What [a turnover] does is, it energizes the kids,” Quinn said. “With the offensive guys, every second you are on the sidelines, there’s a chance you will get that ball back. That’s powerful stuff.” Quinn described Eastern Michigan as a ball-control team on offense and a defense that can hurt you in third-down situations. The Eagles’ defense held Rutgers and Penn State to a combined 2 for 18 on third downs. Senior running back Branden Oliver can tie Anthony Swan for

the most career 100-yard games if he breaks the century mark Saturday. Junior kicker Pat Clarke and senior linebacker Adam Redden are coming off MAC East Special Teams and Defensive Player of the Week awards, respectively. Clarke nailed both a 49- and 50-yard field goal last week. The 50-yarder tied a career long. UB will continue its Tailgate Concert Series with two-time Grammy winner Kool & the Gang in the UB Stadium parking lot at 10 a.m. Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon, and the game will be on ESPN3. email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Ben Tarhan, @bentarhan (1-3): Buffalo – The offense looked good last week and Eastern Michigan’s defense is even worse than UConn’s. Look for a big offensive performance by the Bulls. Jon Gagnon, @jgags15 (3-1): Eastern Michigan – The Bulls will win, but let’s take a step back from last week; they’re not going to consistently blow out teams this season.

Buffalo takes on Eastern MAC East Preview: Bulls face stiff competition in division Michigan: The Spectrum’s Scouting Report

The Bulls (2-2) opened their season much like many other Mid-American Conference teams – with a combination of quality and lackluster opponents. The MAC East division appears to have a similar divide with half its teams. Bowling Green, Kent State and Ohio are legitimate conference contenders, and the other half – Massachusetts, Miami Ohio and Akron – have much smaller expectations. With conference play beginning, here is the second edition of a two-part series breaking down the MAC this season. Bowling Green (4-1, 2-0 MAC) The Falcons’ offense exploded to begin the season, scoring over 30 points in each of its four vic-

tories. The team’s lone loss came against Big 10 opponent Indiana. Sophomore quarterback Matt Johnson is averaging 245 passing yards per game; he had a 357yard, two-touchdown performance at defending MAC East champion Kent State. Fellow sophomore Travis Greene has led the Bowling Green ground attack. He is averaging 5.6 yards per rush this season and has totaled 287 yards and two touchdowns in two MAC games. Led by this young duo, expect to see Bowling Green to finish toward the top of the MAC standings and fighting for a conference championship.

Kent State (2-3, 1-1 MAC) Much like Buffalo, Kent State had two tough road games near the beginning of its schedule. Following a 17-10 home victory over Liberty and a home loss to Bowling Green, the Golden Flashes traveled to No. 8 LSU (4-1) and Penn State (3-1). Kent State dropped the two contests by a combined score of 7913, but rebounded by winning its first MAC game at Western Michigan last week. The Golden Flashes are starting freshman Colin Reardon at quarterback. He has yet to throw for over 200 yards in a game but has thrown only two interceptions. SEE PREVIEW, PAGE 6

Offensive player to watch Tyreese Russell, junior, tight end The junior tight end has eclipsed his previous career total in receptions through just four games this season. Russell leads the Eagles with 23 catches for 230 yards. In their first MidAmerican Conference game last week against Ball State, he caught just four passes, but in their previous two games, he snagged a combined 17 passes for 157 yards. The Eagles’ offense has scored six touchdowns in eight red-zone appearances so far this season. Russell is quarterback Tyler Benz’s favorite target, so the Bulls will need to keep an eye on the 6-foot-3, 242-pound tight end near the goal line. Defensive player to watch Mycal Swaim, senior, defensive back Swaim is a junior college transfer and is now in his second season at Eastern Michigan. He started just five games last season, but this year, he’s leading the team in tackles (29).

You deserve to look your best, so call Tailor Made!

2384 Delaware Ave. Kenmore, NY 14217

Swaim intercepted his first pass as an Eagle in Week Two against Penn State. He is a leader in the defensive backfield and has helped Eastern Michigan shut down opponents on third downs – generally a passing down. In their last three games, the Eagles’ ‘D’ has allowed a stingy 23.3 percent conversion rate on third downs. On the other side of the ball, the Bulls have converted on just 32.3 percent of third downs this season. Key matchup Branden Oliver vs. Eastern Michigan run defense Last week, we said the Bulls needed to establish their run game in order for the offense to start clicking. They did just that behind senior running back Branden Oliver, who rushed for 90 yards on 23 carries. As a team, the Bulls rushed 43 times compared to 20 pass attempts. Eastern Michigan’s run defense has been porous this season, allowing 208.8 yards a game and six yards per rush. Last time these teams played, in 2011, Oliver rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns. This is another opportunity for the Bulls to establish their identity on offense – as a physical, runfirst offense. SEE SCOUTING, PAGE 6

15% OFF

at Tailor Made

- Quality Work at a Low Price Monday-Friday 10:30am-6pm - Suit and Dress Alterations - Dry Cleaning at an Affordable Price Saturday 10:30am-4:30pm

Check us out on Facebook www.facebook.com/TailorMadeBuffalo

www.YourTailorMade.com


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.