The Spectrum Vol. 65 No. 36 by The Spectrum Student Periodical

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T TSHTEU D NETP E PN UD BE LN I CTA S TT IO NA I VTEI R Y FA T T HBEU U FF E T1 B 9U 50 I NED UN D EO NFT TPH UEB LUI C OSNI T O NA I VLEOR,S S I TI N Y CA FFALO, SINCE 1950

ubspectrum.com

Monday, november 23, 2015

Volume 65 No. 36

SLAM

Tom Dreitlein masters the craft of stage poetry SENIOR FEATURES EDITOR

The first time Tom Dreitlein performed his poetry was at a coffee shop open mic when he was 16 years old after his older brother Keith pressured him to perform for Dreitlein’s then-girlfriend. Dreitlein remembers how horribly awkward the entire experience was when they arrived at the shop, family in tow. “I’ve learned that there are poetry open mics and there are music open mics,” Dreitlein said. “There are some beautiful things that do both but those are few and far between. This was a music open mic.” Dreitlein performed his poem, which he described as “angsty, loud and indignant.” His family went crazy, but the rest of the crowd was silent and confused. The emcee gave him an offhand compliment but soon after kicked him out of the venue for having his arm around his then-girlfriend. Dreitlein, a junior communication and English major, has become a figure in the Buffalo poetry community for his work. He

won the 2015 Youth Buffalo/Niagara International Poetry Slam, has given two Ted X talks and started the temporary club UB Speaks. Dreitlein’s poem “Frankie” is what allowed him to create waves in the poetry community – it provided the opportunity for him to have features – paid gigs – work with more people and compete at a higher level. The poem is about a longtime friend who is transgendered and his process of transitioning. Though the subject of the poem, Frank, knows that Dreitlein often performs the poem and accepts it, Dreitlein struggled with the idea of telling someone else’s story. “It’s really complicated when you get on

“

stage and you’re telling someone else’s struggle and then you’re given money,” Dreitlein said. “Frank is fine with me performing the poem – he’s one of my best friends – but I had to work through it on my own. I wrote another poem about that experience.” Appropriation of narrative – or the idea that it’s not always your story to tell – is what Dreitlein’s Ted X Buffalo talk focused on. He discussed the guilt of being paid to tell someone else’s story and about how his second poem he wrote about the experience is an apology to Frank for using his story in this way. Dreitlein’s first talk was for Ted X youth, where he spoke to high school students about nonverbal communication and how the way

“

TORI ROSEMAN

YOU’RE IN THE LOCKER ROOM ONE MINUTE AND THEN YOU’RE SITTING WITH A BUNCH OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THIRD WAVE FEMINISM THE NEXT.

–TOM DREITLEIN

TURNING MUSIC INTO MEDICINE

Local musician finds an emotional release by immersing herself in her music BRIAN WINDSCHITL SENIOR ARTS EDITOR

On May 23, Maggie Maloney remembers feeling nervous as her father came into her room and sat on the corner of her bed. It’s the usual sign, she says, that she is about to be in trouble. She remembers laughing when her father looked at her and said, “Your brother died.” She thought it a joke. Even when her mother came into the room crying, Maloney said, it took her a long time to fully comprehend what was happening. Earlier that day, Ryan Casullo, Maloney’s eldest brother, was killed in a motorcycle accident when a trucker merged into his lane and failed to see him in the vehicle’s blind spot. Casullo, a father and husband, was the oldest child in the Maloney family, with two younger brothers Sean and Tim and a younger sister, Maggie. His death has devastated the family who are still having trouble coming to terms with the tragedy and feeling the emotional consequences. It was yet another crippling blow to Ma-

PHOTOS BY YUSONG SHI, THE SPECTRUM

Tom Dreitlein performs poetry about relationships, whether it’s with his brother, his friends or people who have come and gone in his life. He’s also on UB’s rugby team and is a resident adviser on campus.

people acts affects how others view them. “I wanted to drive home how much we communicate through our actions everyday whether it’s a one-on-one interaction or what you do and how it speaks about who you are and your values,” Dreitlein said. “As a performer I try to be really aware of it while on stage so I just paralleled that idea in my talk” Much of Dreitlein’s work is derived from situations he has to work through and relationships, but not just romantic ones – friendships, family and all sorts of interactions are accounted for. The poems are based around the power dynamics of these relationships, what it’s like to grow up around other people and how time changes those relationships. CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

UB Study Abroad moving forward after Paris attacks UB not canceling any programs, but monitoring situation MARLEE TUSKES NEWS EDITOR

loney’s emotional health after years of tribulation. Her brother’s death came during one of the lowest points in her life, after a hard-fought battle with severe depression and a nasty breakup with a longtime boyfriend. Music making, she said, has been the key in facing these problems and finding release.

EDITORIAL: The United States should accept Syrian refugees

COURTESY OF LIPS RECORDS

Maggie Maloney (pictured) is a burgeoning musician from Buffalo, performing under the name Shelly the Cat. Over the past year, Maloney has overcome severe depression as well as having dealt a tragic death in her family. She has found solace in music making and using artistic expression as an outlet for her emotions.

After Andrea DiNatale heard about the recent terror attacks in Paris, France, she said her initial reaction was shock. Her next reaction was fear. DiNatale, who is in her final year of law school at UB, along with six other students, will travel to Paris to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference on Dec. 6. The group will be working with nonprofit organizations during their time there as well as blogging about their experiences. “It was the initial shock of hearing about all the lives that were lost followed by fear knowing I was going to be there [in] just a few weeks,” DiNatale said.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 CONTINUED ON PAGE 2

UB pharmacy students fundraise for victims of Paris terror attacks

Women’s basketball 3-0 for first time since 2000 after defeating Massachusetts

2NEWS BRIEFS

NEWS

Monday, November 23, 2015

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW LOCALLY, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY

United States willing to admit Syrian refugees if they pose no threat

Man found guilty of murder after stabbing his wife

Minneapolis interstate shut down from protestors

A crowd of demonstrators, tents and “F*** the police” graffiti filled the streets of North Minneapolis. Protestors said they would not leave until justice was served over the fatal-shooting of Jamal Clark on Nov. 15. According to CNN, some of the protestors have been there since the shooting happened. Some witnesses say Clark was in handcuffs when he was shot. Others say he was unable to move. Protestors are demanding police to release a video of the shooting.

Gunmen raided Malian hotel, 22 people killed Gunmen raided a Malian hotel Friday morning and opened fire on “anything that moved,” according to CNN. By the time security forces arrived, bodies were on the floor and they reported 22 people dead. Two of the attackers died, but the U.N. mission spokesperson is unsure of whether they were shot or blew themselves up. Washington Postjournalist sentenced to prison in Iran Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian was sentenced to prison in Iran for spying. According to CNN, Rezaian has been held for 488 days so far, but there is reportedly no evidence. He was charged with “unspecified crimes” and the U.S. State Department called for his release. There are currently two other Americans being held in Iran and Rezaian has been held there longer than any other American journalist.

GLOBALLY

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday stating the United States will admit 10,000 Syrian refugees in 2016, but only if the FBI and other government officials must certify that each refugee is not a threat. According to CNN, more than half of Americans said the U.S. shouldn’t take in any Syrian refugees after one of the Paris terrorists was posing as a Syrian refugee.

NATIONALLY

LOCALLY

Robert E. Johnson of Niagara Falls has been found guilty of murdering his wife in 2009. The Appellate Division of State Supreme Court in Rochester said there was plenty of evidence to rule him guilty, including a DNA swab of the victim’s blood, according to The Buffalo News. The victim, Ahkenya Johnson, had 22 stab wounds and 27 cutting wounds and she was “nearly decapitated.” Johnson will serve 25 years to life. Man stabbed in Buffalo East Side over drugs A Depew man was stabbed at 2 a.m. Saturday on Shepard Street. According to The Buffalo News, the, Ted Johnson, told police it started with a phone call over drugs and Johnson drove to the other man to confront him. Johnson was stabbed twice while his 3-year-old son was in the car. He was treated at Erie County Medical Center after and Child Protective Services was notified.

THE SPECTRUM

email: news@ubspecrum.com

UB Study Abroad moving forward after Paris attacks CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

On Nov. 13, a series of coordinated attacks occurred in Paris including mass shootings, hostage taking and bombings. The attacks – which ISIS later claimed responsibility for – killed a total of 132 victims. John Wood, senior associate vice provost for international education, said several students have requested to withdraw from the winter study abroad programs, however, he said their reasons for withdrawing may not necessarily be due to the attacks. Currently, there are 150 students enrolled for the winter study abroad session. Wood said once UB Study Abroad heard of the attacks in Paris, it followed protocol by reaching out to the students who were in France both directly and “through colleagues at other SUNY campuses administering programs there.” Wood said the office also reached out to all students who were studying in Europe since it’s easy to travel to different countries while there. One student who was studying in Spain was visiting Paris that weekend. All four UB students studying in Paris this semester were unharmed by the attacks. Wood said technology has allowed a better outreach to students in these situations. “Obviously, the email and smartphones have greatly facilitated communication with

students and administrators in emergency situations,” Wood said in an email. DiNatale said many friends and family members reached out to her to ask if she still planned on attending the conference after the attacks. Other students who are attending the conference expressed concern about going as well and wondered if the conference would be canceled. But DiNatale said other students from across the country are attending the conference and everyone, as well as the nonprofit groups, still plan to attend. DiNatale said after she found this out, she wasn’t as afraid about going to Paris anymore.

COURTESY OF FLICKR USER C.

A view from the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France at night shows the Arc de Triomphe and surrounding areas. Andrea DiNatale is one of six UB law students planning on attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris on Dec. 6. At this time the trip has not been canceled following several terror attacks on the city.

“I’m not really afraid, I have a lot of confidence in France for keeping everyone safe,” DiNatale said. “President Obama will also be attending the talks, so I feel like I might be in the safest place in the world in a sense.” Wood said at this time the study abroad office is not planning to cancel any winter or spring programs, but they are “continuously monitoring the situation in all host countries for our programs.” Most of the other United States institutions with study abroad programs in Europe have not canceled their programs either, Wood said. He said UB’s decision, however, is subject to change, depending on the circumstances. Wood said groups attend an orientation prior to their departure to abroad programs where the office discusses its protocols for situations like what occurred in Paris. At the orientation, people from the study abroad office discuss ways for students to remain

safe during their time abroad. The orientation also gives students the opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have regarding their program. “We have communicated to all students in upcoming programs about our protocol and to reiterate that we are continually reviewing the situation and will keep them informed of any new information and guidance that will help them stay safe,” Wood said. DiNatale said her parents still have concerns about her going to Paris, but she said she tries to calm their nerves by telling them she’ll be OK. She alluded to France Prime Minister Manuel Valls’ comment that the United Nations conference will still be held because “it is essential for humanity.”

Editor’s note: Andrea DiNatale served as The Spectrum’s treasurer last semester. email: news@ubspectrum.com

Earn 3 credits over semester break!

GCC’s ONLINE Winterim Courses Session Runs Dec. 14, 2015 Jan. 8, 2016 • Hip Hop Culture (MUS107) • Female Role in Film (CIN242) • Intro. To Healthful Living (HED204) • US History (HIS203) • Intro to Meterology (MET101) • And others - click online:

www.genesee.edu/winter/

1-866-CALL-GCC Genesee Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity institution

To or From North Campus & Buffalo Airport $28 Flat Rate

To or From South Campus & Buffalo Airport $21 Flat Rate

Students Split the Fare! Gladly taking up to 5 people in one cab.

24 Hour Availability (800) 551-9369

OPINION

Monday, November 23, 2015

THE SPECTRUM

Editorial Board EDITOR IN CHIEF

Tom Dinki

MANAGING EDITOR

Alyssa McClure COPY EDITORS

Kayla Menes Renée Staples NEWS EDITORS

Gabriela Julia, Senior Ashley Inkumsah Marlee Tuskes FEATURES EDITORS

Tori Roseman, Senior Dani Guglielmo ARTS EDITORS

Brian Windschitl, Senior Kenneth Kashif Thomas Tomas Olivier, Asst. SPORTS EDITORS

Jordan Grossman, Co-senior Quentin Haynes, Co-senior PHOTO EDITORS

Yusong Shi, Co-senior Kainan Guo, Co-senior Angela Barca . CARTOONISTS

Joshua Bodah Michael Perlman CREATIVE DIRECTORS

Kenneth Cruz Pierce Strudler, Asst.

Professional Staff OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Helene Polley ADVERTISING MANAGER

Nicole Dominguez Lee Stoeckel, Asst. Zach Hilderbrandt, Asst.

Fear over Syrian refugees laid in hysteria, not reasoning Paris attacks should not influence decision-making on incoming refugees In light of the attacks in Paris, France, the United States is in a state reminiscent of the post-9/11 atmosphere. Security is tight, the general population is fearful of a terrorist attack and the idea of allowing an entire new population of refugees into the country is less than ideal. Thirty-one states including Florida, Texas and Indiana have announced that they won’t allow refugees into their states. New York, among others, has countered this attitude and has announced that it will allow Syrian refugees into their borders. There is clear fear of ISIS in the wake of the Paris attacks. Americans fear that the United States could be next, whether it’s New York City or Washington D.C. We must not be so reactionary. Where was the mass outcry over Syrian refugees before the Paris attack? Tensions are high among government officials – President Barack Obama has noted that states cannot ban refugees from their states if federal legislation allows these refugees to find solace in the United States. Most recently, the House has defied Obama and approved a bill that would limit the number of

Derek Hosken

THE SPECTRUM

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. 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 142602100

ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL PERLMAN

Obama’s stance may not be popular, but it’s the morally sound opinion. These refugees are caught between two worlds and need somewhere to go. Though it’s reasonable to fear the unknown, it’s unreasonable to value one human life over another. It’s unreasonable to generalize an entire group of people.

Syrian refugees are crying for help. The United States is known for stepping in where it doesn’t always belong. So why should it stop stepping in now when people need its help? email: eic@ubspectrum.com

Hillary Clinton is not a leftist

ADVERTISING DESIGNER

Monday, Novemberr 23, 2015 Volume 65 Number 23 Circulation 7,000

refugees and make the screening process for those from Syria and Iraq more intense. What the general population has forgotten is how extreme our security protocol already is, especially in the wake of 9/11. Just to enter the country immigrants need a slew of documentation. Even traveling from one state to another requires a decent amount of security checkpoints. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has new procedure that they would have to follow for these refugees specifically. But to hear presidential candidates such as Donald Trump discuss how these refugees should be screened is alarming. These are people too – people who have attempted to swim across oceans just to find safety; who are willing to die in order to give their children a chance at a better life. If the United States is what we all like to think of it as, why are we afraid of those who need sanctuary in our country? These refugees have nothing – no home, no family and no place to start new lives in the wake of the destruction that has plagued Syria. The vast majority of these refugees are trying to get away from death and destruction – not bring it to the United States.

RUSSELL GUILBAULT CONTRIBUTING WRITER

As the media and Hillary Clinton supporters continue to sidestep some very glaring issues with her role in this election and the sorts of policies she favors, I think it would be useful to try to outline them here – especially since they paint a radically different picture of her policy and class leanings. Firstly, Clinton has firmly established herself as a neocon of the highest order over her career as Secretary of State. She supports a barrier in the West Bank, advocated recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and blamed Hamas for the destruction caused by Israel’s disproportionate assault on Gaza last year. She supports the Iran sanctions, and has asserted that “no option can be taken off the table,” including war – a threat which, as Noam Chomsky noted, violates international law. She voted for the Iraq War Resolution and has refused to retract her support or to apologize. She condemned Snowden, supported the embargo of Cuba and

the Patriot Act. Is it necessary to go on? Clinton’s hawkish foreign policy alignment is already rather well known. Less frequently discussed, however, are her direct ties to Wall Street and the effects of those ties on her policies. In Ben Whites’ article in POLITICO, he interviewed multiple GOP donors and financial executives, “turn[ing] up a consistent … consolidation candidate” in Clinton. One executive said that “most people in the industry… have a track record with her.” Another, comparing her to more populist Republican candidates like Ted Cruz and Rand Paul, called her “relatively tolerable.” Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein spoke of his enthusiastic support for her in the 2012 election. Major newspapers, following from the book Clinton Cash, examined Clinton’s elite connections through the Clinton Foundation. More than 181 major corporations have donated, from all major industries, with five dozen paying out a total of $26 million. The top donors included ExxonMobil, Goldman Sachs and the Walton family. All of this occurred during her tenure as Secretary of State and some of her actions definitely

suggest a response to donors. As ExxonMobil poured hundreds of thousands into the organization, for instance, Clinton was pushing to export hydrofracking abroad. Peter Schweizer, the author, admits that he found a “pattern of behavior” rather than outright bribery, but it is precisely this sort of loose-gift economy that places policy decisions firmly in the hands of rich elites. Clinton’s support of the TransPacific Partnership (TPP) further indicates a distinctly right-wing economic leaning. Despite her insistence that she is skeptical of the agreement, CNN catalogued no less than 45 separate statements of support for it during her career, including her famous assertion that it is “the gold standard in trade agreements.” The benefits of the TPP, of course, are expected to accrue exclusively to the rich, with increased drug prices and copyright restrictions in exchange for what the USDA estimates will be a fraction of a percentage point of growth over the next decade. Summarizing Clinton’s apparent upperclass and corporate loyalties, H.A. Goodman wrote in The Huffington Post, “If the GOP has… ‘Republicans in Name Only,’ then Democrats should come up with a

similar label for Hillary Clinton.” The picture of American politics that emerges is one in which it isn’t the distinction between Democrats and Republicans that matters, but that between populists and establishment supporters. “Establishment” refers to the complex of lobbyists, donors, executives and lawmakers that has essentially total control of all policy decisions, a category in which Clinton decidedly falls. According to POLITICO, a conservative Wall Street lawyer confirms as much: “If it turns out to be Jeb versus Hillary we would love that and either outcome would be fine.” It is clear, then, where Clinton’s class allegiance lies. And it is also clear that a Clinton presidency, while “fine” for the corporate-political establishment, would not be fine for the American people, who would suffer from her elitist policies. Faced with this blatant betrayal of liberal ideas, Democratic supporters and all of us as citizens, need to start redirecting support to other candidates and organizations that stand for a system defined by genuine democracy. email: ruguilbau@buffalo.edu

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I am one of those aging “Baby Boomers” identified also as a “Child of the ‘60s.” My adolescence was etched with images of The Civil Rights Movement watching in disbelief, as billy clubs and baseball bats, firehoses, attack dogs, and more were used to disperse the passive resistance of a generation or two or three of African Americans seeking equal rights and their places at the tables. Given some of the prevailing racial overtones of what happened

in this country in the past 150 days, to perhaps better, the past 150 years, I thought the “Whites Only” signs—unannounced, not attributed, not explained before the fact, and eventually defended by the artist were perhaps a much-needed and very poignant “slap in the face.” They were a wake-up call, and perhaps a demonstration of how far parts of our current society and culture have drifted from the turbulent struggles of the 1950s through 1970s.

Struggles that were to have alleviated the prevalence of “White Only” and “Black Only” mentalities. That the signs were offensive, means they were VERY effective in delivering a message, whether intended or not. If they made people of any color uncomfortable or angry, good— they should be both. If they were ignored that is a shame. If those signs made us individually and collectively pause for a moment to stop and think, they accom-

plished a lot and they did it well. We should then use their message to go out into our campus, community, and nation addressing the racial and cultural divides still lurking in too many places, and do something good to invigorate and rekindle constructive dialogues. There still are lessons to be taught and learned. Fred Stoss Associate Librarian

SLAM CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

The artist considers himself a performer, but is looking to improve his written word. More recently, he has begun reading more poetry and looking to create poems that read well on the page – performing them would just take the poem to a higher level. “It revolutionized my whole thought process because there’s so much about what it means on the page and there’s so much to do on the page,” Dreitlein said. “That’s something I never really thought about because I was always on stage and it was always performance stuff for me. I’m working toward having every poem be a page poem that I’m performing” He also credits his involvement in the poetry community in Buffalo with improving his writing. They encourage him to write more and push him to work harder. He said that without this community, he wouldn’t have continued writing. His love for poetry began in high school, where he started watching videos on YouTube. He found Def Poetry Jam, a series on HBO, and watched rapper Common perform. Dreitlein was surprised by the lack of beat – or any sort of music – and how cool the performance was. For two years, he taught himself how to perform through these YouTube videos. “I was showing my friend a poem I really loved and he said, ‘You could probably do that,’” Dreitlein said. “I’ve always fooled around with writing, I’ve always liked language and I’ve always been a performer.” One day in his high school math class, Dreitlein found himself suddenly inspired – he wrote down his first poem in 20 minutes. In middle school, Dreitlein was part of plays written by one of the teachers. He remembers being cast as the villain because of his loud personality. He continued dabbling with the arts in high school, where he started a poetry club and was captain of the improv team. He also maintained an athletic career by participating in both rugby and football. He continues to play rugby at UB but when it came to improv, he had a hard time fitting it into his schedule. “It’s kind of funny because when I came back from high school I was like, ‘I’m doing the poet thing now,’ and everyone was like ‘Why aren’t you doing the improv thing?’” Dreitlein said. “I was the class clown in high school and the captain of the improv team so it was kinda weird, but it’s just the thing I fell into.” He still goes back to his home in Fairport,

Rochester to speak to high school students and perform for them. Dreitlein leads a busy life – he has been participating in poetry slams through PureInk since his freshman year, which he’s won several times. Aside from playing on the UB men’s rugby team, he’s also a resident adviser on campus. Dreitlein’s rugby teammate and fellow RA Colton Kells is one of the artist’s biggest supporters. “A lot of our teammates are really supportive of him and they really like it,” Kells said. “Whenever he performs or a new video comes out we always ask to see it.” Kells grew up eight minutes away from Dreitlein. They played rugby and football together in high school. Kells has watched Dreitlein grow as a poet as well and remem-

“

FEATURES THE SPECTRUM

will attend his events and people in the poetry community will ask about the team. “I’ll be hanging out at rugby practice, you know, we’re beating each other up and then after I go directly to a poetry workshop,” Dreitlein said. “You’re in the locker room one minute and then you’re sitting with a bunch of people talking about third wave feminism the next.” Dreitlein thinks that the two activities – poetry and rugby – compliment each other in some way. Poetry is abstract and requires him to use his head in order to work through things whereas rugby is real, physical, reactionary and based upon instinct. He feels that it “pulls him back to the concrete” and of course, keeps him in shape. The same way he practices for rugby, he’s turned poetry into a “blue-collar job” in

“

Monday, November 23, 2015

I BELIEVE IN PERFORMANCE POETRY, OR POETRY THAT IS MEANT TO BE ON A STAGE, BUT I FIGHT AGAINST SLAM POETRY EVERY DAY.

bers what his work was like when he first started. “His first few poems were about very general things but now they’re much more personal,” Kells said. “You can see his emotion when he performs.” Though his brothers will tease him occasionally, Dreitlein says everyone is supportive of his work. Members of the rugby team

–TOM DREITLEIN

which he constantly works at it, writes multiple drafts of poems and is trying to constantly produce new material. Dreitlein cites his brothers as his heroes and role models. Dreitlein lead his brother Matthew into poetry. Matthew was also a writer, but predominantly focused on fiction and sciencefiction writing. He sets aside three hours

every Sunday to work on his novel, but is quickly mastering poetry. The two often discuss their work when they’re able to see each other. “Whenever we discuss slamming against each other, we both wear the same smirks we did when the world was just backyard, recess and endless summer,” Matthew said. “Truth be told, he has always been the one of us that is more motivated by competition.” Though the two haven’t been able to compete against each other yet, their opportunity will come in the spring, when they’re both able to attend the same slam. Matthew has been able to watch his younger brother grow as an artist and is proud to see his work on the stage. “At any poetry show, there is always someone who is clearly holding up the stage and pushing the other performers simply by embodying the highest caliber of performance and craft,” Matthew said. “Thomas consistently holds up the stage and inspires other poets to excellence.” Matthew believes his younger brother is a leader in any community he takes part in, as he’s organized events for hundreds of attendees and has set time to work with the youth in his community at home. As for the future, Dreitlein knows he doesn’t want to be a full-time poet, which would require him to tour six months at a time. The other path he could take would be to receive his Ph.D. and teach, but he doesn’t want that either. “It’s not a decision, it’s something that would happen – you have to blow up and have a hit poem to be able to start it,” Dreitlein said. “But I don’t want to tour forever, that’s not the life I want to lead.” He hopes to release a chapbook, or a collection of his work, before he graduates. To Dreitlein, there is no “slam poetry.” “There is the poetry slam and there are poems that you slam with,” Dreitlein said. “When you reduce poems to the genre of ‘slam poetry’ to me, you are perpetuating the negative aspects of slam. When people criticize slam they call it plebian, it’s like dumb poetry. But it is more accessible – you have to win over the audience … I believe in performance poetry, or poetry that is meant to be on a stage, but I fight against slam poetry every day.” email: features@ubspectrum.com

YUSONG SHI, THE SPECTRUM

‘We are here for you’ UB pharmacy students fundraise for victims of Paris terror attacks ASHLEY INKUMSAH NEWS EDITOR

Several UB students have rallied to show support of the victims of the Paris attacks by changing their profile pictures on Facebook, but Justin Bui said he wanted to do something more. “I think that’s great but for me I thought we could just to more than that and we could use this at a platform to generate more support,” Bui, a first-year business student and second-year pharmacy student, said. The Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) is working in collaboration with the Lambda Kappa Sigma, a professional pharmacy fraternity, to raise support and donate funds for relief for the victims of the terror attacks in Paris, France. One hundred and thirty-two people were killed in the attacks that occurred in Paris, France on Nov. 13. The Islamic State, or ISIS, claimed responsibility for the attacks. Bui, who is a member of both SNPhA and Lambda Kappa Sigma, said they will be sending a banner they signed to the pharmacy school in Paris Descartes University. He said UB professors from pharmacy program go the university every year, so they figured it would be the appropriate place to send the banner. Bui said SNPhA and Lambda Kappa Sigma will also be taking a

photo in front of Kapoor Hall on Monday to send to the university. SNPhA and Lambda Kappa Sigma designed a banner, which states, “We are here for you.” They allowed students and faculty members to write messages for the victims on the banner. Isabella Lee, a second-year pharmacy student and member of the Lambda Kappa Sigma, came up with the idea to create ribbons for the fundraising effort. The students made roughly 200 white ribbons to represent world peace and passed them out to students and faculty to collect donation funds. Students have decorated their backpacks and coats to raise awareness for the effort. They have raised approximately $300 as of Sunday and all of the proceeds will be donated to the International Relief Team. “I think this could be a good way to jumpstart something bigger,” Bui said. “I think the long-term vision of me and the other students is to have other students across UB help out and support Paris.” Jonathan You, a third-year pharmacy student who is also a member of both organizations, said he wanted to wish the victims the best and send them his support. “Originally when the attacks first happened, the news just got worse and worse everyday so we decided it would be a really good idea to start raising money since we did something like this for the earthquake in

COURTESY OF JUSTIN BUI

A student signs the Student National Pharmaceutical Association (SNPhA) and Lambda Kappa Sigma’s banner that will be sent to the pharmacy school in Paris Descartes University. The organizations are fundraising money for victims of the Paris attacks.

Nepal,” You said. He said it’s “really nice” to see that a lot of people are interested in donating and interested in sharing their support. Bui said when he first heard about the attacks, he thought it was a good idea to design a banner and send it out to a university in Paris, because he thought it would be “relatable” coming from fellow college students. He said students have been extremely supportive in the donation effort and he’s proud of the success of the fundraising effort. “It’s very different when you’re holding a fundraiser for a disaster than for your own organization,” You said. “When people hear that you’re are raising money for a disaster, they’re emotionally responsive.”

Susan Liu, a third-year pharmacy student and service chair for Lambda Kappa Sigma, said the effort is a way students can give back to other countries. “When America was going through our terrorists attacks, the entire world was so supportive of us, and now these things are happening in other countries, I just wanted to offer the same support to other countries,” Liu said. The students have also put together an online donation fund on GoFundMe where students can give back to the relief effort. “It’s always nice when you see people coming together because with everyone’s daily activities it’s easy to get carried away,” Liu said. email: news@ubspectrum.com

5 TURNING MUSIC INTO MEDICINE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT THE SPECTRUM

Battling against life, love and loss Maloney has been battling with depression for a long time. But one of her worst bouts came last year during her sophomore year of college after a series of hardships right at the end of the spring semester. In the last year alone, she’s had to handle an ugly breakup with a pushy ex and abandonment from an entire friend group. Then she got sick with a stomach problem that later turned out to be lysinuric protein intolerance, resulting in Maloney’s complete severance from meat. It was just too much for her to handle. Maloney was hospitalized in BryLin, a mental health clinic in downtown Buffalo after attempting to kill herself. “I was very close to the edge at the end of my sophomore year. Over sophomore year, I attempted to die,” she said. “Everything was in shambles.” Initially, the hardest thing for Maloney to deal with was her ex-boyfriend. “My ex was harassing me because he was upset,” she said. “We had dated for two years and he didn’t want it to end, but I wanted it to end because he was treated me really poorly.” The hardest part of the breakup, she said, wasn’t the actual breakup itself. It was the fallout – trying to let go of her emotional attachments. “We had plans for the future and the whole nine yards,” she said. “I was really upset that it had to end but I knew it had to because he was treating me so badly.” The relationship, which Maloney refers to as “the dictatorship,” because of how much influence her ex had over her, took its toll on her over the course of her sophomore year, as she continually bounced back and forth between talking to her ex and forcing herself to distance herself from him. “The only thing I need to get past, and that is what was making me so upset, is that I’m still, or was still, so co-dependent on his opinion,” she said. But then her brother died. It was that tragedy, she said, that helped her put her ex in the rearview. “The day he died, I was going to ask the kid I broke up with to get back with me,” she said. “He was going to come over, but then my brother died. I told him not to come to my house, my parents don’t like

“

I feel like that the best thing that you can do with a record is make something that represents you completely, even if you’re falling apart.

– MAGGIE MALONEY you and my brother just died. They don’t want to see you.”

Using a ukulele for catharsis With all that Maloney has been through, making making music is what helps. Maloney, who plays the ukulele, said the first song she ever wrote was to ask her ex to prom nearly three years ago. “It’s a really good purging,” she said. “I feel like that the best thing that you can do with a record is make something that represents you completely, even if you’re falling apart.” Maloney’s newest record Tribute deals directly with the emotional trauma of everything she’s has had to face in the past year, from her depression, her breakup and her brother’s death. It also serves as a tribute to her brother. Maloney said she is very open with people about where she stands emotionally, especially in her music, because there just isn’t any other way for people to understand her. “I feel like it helps people see music as a very human thing,” she said. “It has all the emotions humans have in [Tribute]. It sounds happy, but will get super sad; there’s some anger and some passive-aggressiveness – everything. I want people to be able to use the music for anything.” Maloney, who primarily performs as a solo act, has been playing small sideshows at coffee shops and open mic nights for years now. She had the opportunity to start to cultivate her talent at a summer job working at the beach and playing on “acoustic Wednes-

“

“But Tribute was much more serious. Tribute is a sad and dark album.” In terms of composition, Smolinski said Tribute was more complex than Chris in practically everyway, from instrumentation and production to lyricism and chord progressions. “We had to think about really tough topics because Maggie had an insane summer,” he said. “[Tribute] was her reaction to most of the summer and I was happy to be there during that.” Maloney said the album is broken into two parts – the side of depression she had before her brother died and then after. She said it was essentially a complete emotional overhaul – all the emotions she couldn’t fully express during the past year came out in some way during the album. “She had so much happen in such a very, very brief period of time - it was a lot to take in and put into the album,” Smolinski said. “When she came back from everything, she had a fully formed idea of where she wanted the album to go.” Every song on Tribute has its own story: “In Love With Fox” is about lonely, rainy days spent watching X-Files; “Fisherman’s Son” is about her failed relationship and the difficulties of moving on; and “Geath Drips” is a tribute to the rap group Death Grips. The true magic, Smolinski said, in Maloney’s songwriting. “She manages to somehow to convey so much emotion through a few simple lines and some good metaphors,” he said. “Not many people have had the same experiences

I was very close to the edge at the end of my sophomore year. Over sophomore year, I attempted to die

days.” The beach was where Jacob Smolinski first heard Maloney perform. Smolinski, founder of local record company LIPS Records and a junior communication major at La Salle University, said he wanted to sign and record with Maloney immediately, but Maloney’s boyfriend at the time was against it. When the two broke up, Maloney said one of the first things she did was reach out to Smolinski and see if he was still interested in recording. They first recorded Chris in 2014. But it wasn’t until Tribute that things really started to pick up. “Looking back, I’m all right with Chris – that’s where it all started.” Smolinski said.

“

Maloney, a Buffalo native, is a burgeoning musician and junior chemistry and math student at SUNY Geneseo who performs under the name Shelly the Cat. She started playing the ukulele as a running gag in her senior year of high school because she thought it “was a stupid instrument” that she could probably learn in an hour. Years later, her artistry has spawned two albums – Chris and, most recently, Tribute. She has gotten a record deal with local DIYlabel LIPS Records, a write-up in a The Public and her music consistently airs on Alternative Buffalo 107.7, a local radio station. Most importantly, Maloney said music has given her a place to vent her emotions – something she struggles with in a non-musical environment.

“

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

– MAGGIE MALONEY

she has, but no one is able to express them the way she does.” The last song on the album, “I Have A Friend In Klonopin,” manages to be an open letter to her ex and an ode to her lost brother all at the same time. She tells a story about her fish, Keith, who her ex-boyfriend gave her during their relationship, and sings about the death of Keith, which serves as a parallel between the death of her brother and starting to overcome her past.

Moving on The emotional weight of Casullo’s death still hangs heavy on the Maloney family. Over the summer, Maggie said her friends kept her sane.

Monday, November 23, 2015

ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF LIPS RECORDS

Maloney started playing the ukulele as a running gag in high school because she thought it “was a stupid instrument” that she could probably learn in an hour. Now, she uses the instrument as an outlet for her emotions.

One of her friends, Chris Krajci, was there for her during the worst moments, from her attempted suicide to her brother’s death. “I tried to do the only thing I really felt I could do, and that was just being there,” Krajci, a junior economics and mathematics student at SUNY Geneseo, said. “I watched my best friend struggle and fight daily against something that doesn’t seem like it can be beaten, and felt powerless to help the majority of the time.” Over the past year, Krajci has driven across the state twice, just to make sure Maloney was OK. He said even when he couldn’t be with her, he made sure to call her on the phone almost daily. “It’s scary, but over time you do see little things reemerge, and progress is made in baby steps,” he said. Maloney says she thinks about her brother a lot. “I don’t think I’m truly over it yet,” she said. “I am still grieving. It’s hard.” Overall, Maloney said she just tries to keep as busy as possible to keep the past from coming back to drag her down. She’s a double major, works two jobs and is on the Geneseo crew team. “I just keep adding on things to make me busy to forget it all,” she said. In addition, Maloney will also be participating in a battle of the bands at her school. Noah Sider, a senior philosophy and psychology major at SUNY Geneseo, has been practicing with Maloney as the bassist for her band. He said that playing music with Maloney is always an extremely liberating experience, especially in how she can channel all of her emotions into an intense onstage performance. “You know how Adele is singing about heartbreak, or some crazy punk band is all about energy and anger, whatever that experience is its a way for someone else to experience that very intensely,” he said. “Maggie took charge of everything and went for it – you can get a good understanding of anything in her life through the songs.” One of the hardest moments, Maloney said, was when she saw people posting on her brother’s Facebook for his birthday and having to tell them that he wasn’t alive anymore. It was an experience, she said, that was as much sad and uncomfortable as painful. When all else fails, she said watching the movie “Scream” always cheers her up. “Whenever I’m upset I watch ‘Scream,’” she said. “The guy in ‘Scream’ – the other killer, not the main villain – looks exactly like my brother. And, I’ll watch the live action ‘Scooby Doo’ too because [that actor] was in that too. “It really helps.” email: arts@ubspectrum.com

ARTS | SPORTS

Monday, November 23, 2015

THE SPECTRUM

The grapevine A weekly collection of Buffalo’s sonic selections BRIAN WINDSCHITL SENIOR ARTS EDITOR

The week before Thanksgiving is a little slow concert-wise, but not to worry. The shows that are coming to town are still wide-ranging, featuring a nice spread of acts, from indie up-and-comers to established artists in the industry to a power metal band. Take a look and see if any of these groups are up your alley.

TUESDAY, NOV. 24 Kamelot Town Ballroom American power metal band Kamelot, from Tampa, Florida, has been around since 1991 – the early days of prog metal. It recently released a new album in May called Haven. Known for its high intensity live shows, Kamelot is perfect for anyone who loves an intense mosh pit.

Wednesday, Nov. 25 The Wombats Waiting Room

will be making their way across the Atlantic all the way from Liverpool to make a stop at good old Buffalo. Largely influenced by the post-punk revival in the early ’00s, come out and enjoy a grungy, new wave rock show at the Waiting Room on Wednesday.

FRIDAY, NOV. 27 Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness and New Politics Town Ballroom

A Buffalo-native, Davey O is set to play at Babeville, one of the city’s oldest and most venerate venues. His blend of folk and rock is a sight to see, and airs on the lighter side of things. The show will be a great time to unwind and listen to a musician hungry to make it big outside of his hometown. He will be playing at Babeville on Thursday.

SATURDAY, NOV. 28

Sarah McLachlan Seneca Niagara Andrew McMahon is a singer and Events Center

songwriter hailing from Dana Point, California. Primarily a pop punk artist, McMahon has also been a vocalist and pianist for Something Corporate, but has recently been branching off into his own solo act. New Politics, a band all the way from Copenhagen, will accompany McMahon. The dance-rock, pop punk band has been around since ’09. Together, the indie rockers will surely put on a good show playing at Town Ballroom, Friday.

Davey O Babeville English indie rock band The Wombats

Davey O is a musician on the come-up.

Sarah McLachlan might be best known for her work with the ASPCA, most notably those animal commercials we all turn off before they make us feel guilty. But, she’s also a singer and songwriter who has won three Grammys and nine Juno Awards. McLachlan recently released her newest album Shine On and is on a national tour for the album. The award-winner will be performing at the Seneca Niagara on Saturday.

younger generations, Nic Turner is a famous jazz fusion musician, best known for his work as space rock pioneers Hawkwind. The band, industry veterans, has been touring since 1969. Its live shows, reputed for its legendary instrumental sections, would be a shame to miss. The group is hugely influential for music’s rock genres – its space rock was formative for many later genres.

SUNDAY, NOV. 29 Relient K Waiting Room No concert list is complete without a little Jesus. From Canton, Ohio, Christian rock Relient K will be playing at the Waiting Room on Sunday. They received a Grammy nod in 2003, nominated for the Best Rock Gospel Album. The group is currently working on its eighth studio album, set to be released sometime this year. email: arts@ubspectrum.com

Nik Turner’s Hawkwind Mohawk Place Though not overly well-known by

Buffalo gets to 3-0 with win over Massachusetts Bulls great on defense again, 3-0 for first time since 2000

QUENTIN HAYNES SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

With so much turnover this offseason, women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack talked of creating a “village” to help raise her young squad. Seems like the Bulls (3-0) are already grownup though. Buffalo defeated Massachusetts (1-2) 5648 at the Mullins Center in Amherst, Massachusetts Saturday to get its first 3-0 start to a season since 2000-01. The Bulls have not allowed an opponent to score 50 points in a game this season. “I’m so excited to see us work defensively,” Legette-Jack said. “[Massachusetts] is going to do some great things in the Atlantic 10. We played without fear on either side of the ball today and that was instrumental to today’s success.” The Buffalo defense swarmed the floor and forced the Minutemen into bad shots and turnovers throughout the game. As a result, the Bulls forced 19 turnovers and the Minutemen attempted only six shots from three-point range. Legette-Jack said the turnovers “warmed [her] heart.” She pointed to a moment in the game when sophomore forward Mariah Suchan had trouble with a player in the post so sophomore guard Katherine Ups helped her with the double team. “All our players had their heads on a swivel after that,” Legette-Jack said. “That’s a sign this team is looking to thrive and be better than imagined. We begin our winning in the locker room.” On the offensive side of the ball, eight Bulls scored a field goal. Junior guard Joan-

na Smith led the way with 21 points, nine rebounds, three steals and four three-pointers. Smith struggled in the first two games, especially from three-point range, but she was a pure shooter from the perimeter Saturday. Smith went 4 of 7 from beyond the arc. Jack was impressed with her guard’s overall play. “I thought she had a tremendous job throughout the game, playing well on the glass, defending their guards well and helped us spacing the floor with four threes,” Legette-Jack said. “She’s been a great leader for us.” Sophomore guard Stephanie Reid finished with 10 points, three rebounds, six assists and two steals while playing a teamhigh 37 minutes. Suchan had eight points, five rebounds and four steals. With a 3-0 record and stout defensive play, the Bulls seem to be finding an identity in the nonconference schedule after losing almost all key contributors from last season’s Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) team. Still, LegetteJack said the Bulls’ record doesn’t matter at the moment and the goal is to continue winning. “All we’re trying to do is own the minute and take care of that hour,” Legette-Jack said. “I’m really am excited that we didn’t put this schedule together and all three teams were tough. The record is going to take care of itself.” The Bulls will return home to face Cornell (2-1) on Wednesday at Alumni Arena. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. email: sports@ubspectrum.com

KAINAN GUO, THE SPECTRUM

Junior guard Joanna Smith brings the ball up the court in Alumni Arena. Smith led the Bulls in a 56-48 win on the road Saturday with a season-high 21 points and nine rebounds.

CLASSIFIEDS

Monday, November 23, 2015

THE SPECTRUM

HELP WANTED HELP WANTED Part-Time Positions Available. Lasertron Family Entertainment Center is currently hiring for general customer service. Working at a fast, detail-oriented pace and having excellent customer service skills is a must. Starting at $11/hr, must be available nights and weekends. Stop in and complete an application at Lasertron, 5101 North Bailey Avenue, Amherst, NY. $12-$16/HR. PART-TIME SALES POSITIONS. UB Students welcome! Flexible hours w/ school schedule. Hourly + commission and close to campus. 585-721-7530 APARTMENT FOR RENT APARTMENT FOR

RENT

NORTH BUFFALO 3-BDRM. Off Hertel near Delaware Park. All appliances + washer & dryer. Includes 1 parking spot. $900/mo. Call 716-912-1586 or email gjgikas@hotmail.com 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 BEDROOM HOMES. Available Now! Go to daveburnette. net to view all properties or call Dave at 716-445-2514. BEWARE - A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF APARTMENTS that appear in want ads have had safety violations reported. The only source for off-campus housing that limits postings to those apartments that have passed a safety inspection by local authorities in the last 36 months is found at livingoffcampus. buffalo.edu OUR NICEST APARTMENTS RENT NOW! Newly Remodeled 1-4 Person Apartments on W. Winspear, Englewood, Tyler, Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include O/S Parking, Whirlpool Baths, New SS Appliances, Free Laundry, Live the Sweethome Life On South! Call 716-7757057. Prices starting at $250.00 per person.

1-8 Bedroom Houses And Apartments at UB South: dozens in prime locations on Winspear, Northrup, Highgate and more! Most have large bedrooms, hardwood floors, off-street parking & laundry. Local, responsible landlord with maintenance staff. Call, text or email Jeremy Dunn, (585)261-6609 or email jgdunn2@msn.com

HOUSE FOR RENT HOUSE FOR

ROOM FOR RENT ROOM FOR

RENT

UB NORTH AREA. 3-BDRM 1-BATH Includes all appliances, washer/dryer & off-street parking. $1,050/mo+ utilities. Month to month lease only. 1st month rent + security deposit required. Rent due by 5th each month. sbejger@gmail.com

MILLERSPORT NEAR EGGERT. Several furnished rooms for rent starting January 1st. 2016 till May 31st. $375+. Non-smoker in a quiet house. No pets. Inquire at 716-553-4280 or dweiss3644@gmail.com

3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 BEDROOM HOMES. Available Now! Go to daveburnette. net to view all properties or call Dave at 716-445-2514.

AVAILABLE DECEMBER 1st SOUTH CAMPUS. Master bedroom/ 2 baths, fully furnished, laundry, utilities & wifi included. Off-street parking. 716-5706062 text preferred.

UB North Campus (Across from The Villas). Awesome 5,6 & 8 bedroom houses. Large bedrooms with great closet space. Modern bathrooms and kitchens. Large living rooms and/or rec rooms. Off-street parking. Private laundry. Huge yards. Real living not dorm living. Available June 1. $405 - $440. 716-634-0710 www.ubstudentrentals.com

SERVICESSERVICES CITYA1DRIVINGSCHOOL.COM Beginners & brush-up driving lessons. 5hr class $30.00 716-875-4662.

BEWARE - A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF HOUSES that appear in want ads have had safety violations reported. The only source for off-campus housing that limits postings to those houses that have passed a safety inspection by local authorities in the last 36 months is found at livingoffcampus.buffalo.edu OUR NICEST HOMES RENT NOW! Remodeled 3-8 Person Homes on W. Winspear, Englewood, Tyler, Heath & Merrimac. Amenities include O/S Parking, Whirlpool Jacuzzi Bathtubs, New SS Appliances, Free Laundry, Snow Removal & Valet Garbage! Live the Sweethome Life On South! Visit www.ubrents.com or call 716-775-7057. Prices starting at $250.00 per person.

DAILY DELIGHTS sponsored by Collegiate Village Apartments

COLLEGIATE VILLAGE APARTMENTS

Now Leasing for 2016! www.CVBuffalo.com 716.833.3700

@ BUFFALO

SPORTS

Monday, November 23, 2015

THE SPECTRUM

JORDAN GROSSMAN SENIOR SPORTS EDITOR

Quarterback: BSenior quarterback Joe Licata strung together a few impressive weeks in a row heading into Saturday’s matchup, but his play regressed against Akron. Licata was intercepted twice, including in the back of the end zone while trying to lead the football team back from a 21-point deficit in the third quarter. The turnover essentially sealed the game for Akron. He still completed 32 passes for 262 yards while finding eight different receivers and moved into ninth place for both passing yards and touchdowns in Mid-American Conference history.

Running backs: B+ Like Licata, junior Jordan Johnson had one turnover that cost Buffalo greatly. Johnson’s lost fumble early in the first quarter inside Buffalo territory setup Akron for another quick score and an early 14-0 lead. But overall, it was a good day for the running game. Johnson and senior Anthone Taylor kept the ball moving all day and combined for 131 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Taylor had the bulk of the carries (18) for 98 yards, while Johnson was used in the third-down and goal line sets for two touchdowns. Saturday was Taylor’s highest rushing total since Week Three against Florida Atlantic. Relying on Johnson and a now healthy Taylor will be critical for Buffalo next week if it wants to become bowl eligible.

Wide receivers and tight ends: B+ Amid pesky rain throughout the afternoon, there weren’t many drops for Buffalo. Licata found senior wide receiver Ron Willoughby 11 times for a team-high 105 yards, followed by an 80-yard performance from junior wide receiver Marcus McGill. McGill caught the only touchdown pass of the day for Buffalo on a well-designed fade to the right that left him wide open in the end zone.

Offensive line: A The offensive line played its best game of the season – it’s as simple as that. The unit was stellar. It did not give up a sack the entire game and gave Licata ample time to look down the field for open receivers. Licata was only hit four times during the game. The line also contributed to the success

Gridiron report card

of the run game that ran for 130 yards. Even without injured senior guard Dillon Guy, the line has held its own and put together a great performance Saturday.

Defensive line: D Buffalo’s other line didn’t have a great day. The ‘D’ line gave up more than 200 yards rushing and two scores on the ground in a subpar performance. Akron running back Donnell Alexander, who had never eclipsed 100 yards rushing in a game, exploded for 143 yards and two scores. The defensive line couldn’t stop Alexander’s combination of east-west running and explosiveness through the tackles. The line did not record a sack Saturday and has generated just 12.5 sacks on the season. The Bulls need to sharpen up in this area to defend another decent running attack next week.

Linebackers: BIt’s hard to knock the most consistent unit on the defense, but it’s also to blame for the lack of sacks and the Minutemen’s impressive day running the ball. But senior linebacker Nick Gilbo had another solid performance with a team-high 10 tackles and 1.5 tackles for losses. He’s been one of the most welcoming surprises for the Bulls this season and has slowly become one

COURTESY OF JEFF HARWELL, AKRON ATHLETICS

Senior running back Anthone Taylor gets tripped up by an Akron defender in Buffalo’s 4221 loss Saturday. The Bulls will head into their season finale against Massachusetts next week needing a win for any chance at a bowl game.

of the best players on the defense. Senior Okezie Alozie had eight tackles but went down with an injury in the fourth quarter. He was able to walk off the field under his own power.

Defensive backs: C The secondary rebounded after a rough first half with four touchdown passes allowed, but at that point it was too late to completely save its grade. Woodson always had ample time to throw, which is on the defensive line and linebackers, but the secondary was still unable to contain. Zips wide receivers Imani Davis and Jerome Lane particularly burned the Bulls.

Special teams: BThe punting and kicking units were a small factor in Saturday’s game, but they did make some nice plays to pin Akron back in its own territory. Freshman Adam Mitcheson wasn’t given an opportunity to kick a field goal, but did hit all three of his extra points. Senior punter Tyler Grassman continued his impressive play,

but missed on a critical onside kick late in the game that could have given the Bulls life again.

Coaching: CThis game was very winnable for Buffalo, but play calling was a detriment. This team isn’t successful when Licata throws the ball too much, as it’s now 1-5 when he throws 35 or more passes in a game. He threw the ball 51 times Saturday. Despite the early deficit, head coach Lance Leipold should have ran with his backfield more than Buffalo’s 27 attempts. The Bulls possess two healthy running backs that should have been relied upon more. The defense didn’t adjust much. Defensive coordinator Brian Borland mentioned change-ups in the ‘D,’ but nothing much changed in another game where Buffalo allowed 40 points. The staff will have to reevaluate its calls on both sides of the ball in the season finale against Massachusetts to reach that all-important sixth win. email: sports@ubspectrum.com

COURTESY OF JEFF HARWELL, AKRON ATHLETICS

Senior wide receiver Ron Willoughby had a season-high 11 catches for 105 yards in Buffalo’s 42-21 loss to Akron Saturday.

made this game a blowout at 35-14 midway through the third quarter.

When the game was lost Licata threw an interception in the end zone with Buffalo trailing 35-14 late in the third quarter. The turnover meant the Bulls headed into the final quarter down 21 points.

Buffalo Player of the Game

Bulls breakdown Buffalo still needs another win to become bowl eligible after 42-21 loss to Akron SPORTS DESK

The football team (5-6, 3-4 Mid-American Conference) is still a win away from bowl eligibility after a 42-21 loss to Akron (6-5, 4-3 MAC) at InfoCision Stadium – Summa Field Saturday. Buffalo will now need a win over Massachusetts (2-9, 1-6) in its season finale at UB Stadium on Friday

for any chance at the program’s third bowl game since returning to Division I in 1999.

Key stats: - Buffalo committed three turnovers with senior quarterback Joe Licata throwing two interceptions and junior running back Jordan Johnson losing a fumble. - Neither team got a sack Saturday. The Buffalo offensive line shutout Akron se-

nior linebacker Jatavis Brown, who has 10.5 sacks this season, while the Bulls’ defense failed to generate pressure. - Buffalo is now 1-5 this season when Licata throws 35 or more passes in a game.

Turning point Akron running back Donnell Alexander’s second rushing touchdown capped off a six-play, 58-yard drive that officially

Senior running back Anthone Taylor finally looked healthy and ran for 98 yards on 18 carries (5.4 yards a carry). It was Taylor’s highest rushing total since Week Three against Florida Atlantic.

Akron Player of the Game Alexander emerged to run for 143 yards and two touchdowns Saturday – his highest total by far this season.

Quote of the game “I felt very confident heading into today and I thought we were ready to play,” Licata said, “but as the game showed, we weren’t ready to play.”

Next game Buffalo hosts Massachusetts Friday for its final game of the regular season and it needs a win to become bowl eligible. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. email: sports@ubspectrum.com