The third-ranked Western Illinois Leathernecks exploded for 31 second-half points to defeat UB, 41-6, in UB Stadium before 18,648 fans.

The Leathernecks were limited to 85 yards of total offense in the first half, but took control of the game with two long scoring drives to start the second half. Erik Rogers completed an 11-play, 65-yard drive with an 11-yard burst to make it 17-0 and All-American tailback Aaron Stecker (118 yards on 21 carries) scored on a one-yard leap with 3:33 left in the third quarter to give WIU a commanding 24-0 lead.

The Bulls' only score of the game came on a three-yard run by David Schimili with 9:35 left in the game. The UB rushing offense, which ranked 14th in I-AA football entering the game, was limited to 114 yards on 32 carries in the game. The Bulls also were hurt by three turnovers, including two in the first half.

Western Illinois seized control early when Donnie Caldwell returned a punt 62 yards the first time the Leathernecks touched the ball. WIU led, 10-0, at the half after a 36-yard Joe Lopez field goal.

Buffalo split end Drew Haddad became the school's all-time leader in receptions with five catches for 50 yards to lead the Bulls' offense. Fullback Josh Roth had 77 yards rushing on 13 carries. A pair of freshmen led the UB defense, as linebacker Brandon Jordan had 10 tackles (six solos), while Craig Rohlfs had nine stops.

Volleyball

The Bulls dropped both Mid-American Conference matches this week, losing at Toledo (7-15, 13-15, 13-15) on Oct. 28 and to Akron (15-9, 15-12, 9-15, 15-5) in Alumni Arena on Oct. 31.

Senior outside hitter Chassey Stubler led UB against Toledo with 12 kills and 11 digs.

Against Akron, junior setter Somer Deschambault had 48 assists and 20 digs.

Freshman outside hitter Keri Shiels and middle hitter Heather Barfuss turned in impressive performances in the match. Shiels recorded 12 kills and 19 digs and Barfuss had 14 kills and 16 digs.

Soccer

The women's soccer team finished the regular season with a 3-1 victory at Stony Brook. The Bulls now will take their 10-5-2 record on the road to play at Northern Illinois in the first round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

After a scoreless first half, the Bulls struck first with a goal by Jennifer Keefe. Paula Listrani scored her team-high 12th goal of the season at the 63:35 mark for a 2-1 lead. Heather Collins then added an insurance goal for the 3-1 victory.

Men's
UB 2, Western Michigan 0

The men's soccer team ended the regular season by defeating Western Michigan, 2-0, in the last home game of the season.

All the scoring took place in the second half and all came off the foot of UB All-American candidate junior Steve Butcher. The first Butcher goal came from an assist from Tim Songer. Butcher later took a pass from John Shannon and chipped it in from the left side for the gamewinner. The shutout marked the sixth this season for goalie Jim Schoenberg.

Cross Country

The women's squad finished 11th (298 points) out of a field of 13 teams. Sophomore Eileen Rose, who placed 46th out of 101 runners, was Coach Dick Barry's top-finisher at 19:31.

The men's team placed 11th out of 12 teams with 307 points. Junior Patrick Nolan, the Bulls top runner, crossed the finish line 41st out of 92 runners (26:25).

Swimming

The women's swimming team opened its home season Oct. 29, defeating Niagara University, 207-90, in the Alumni Arena natatorium.

The Bulls were led by Inger Rooneem, who took three first-place finishes in the 100-meter butterfly (58.95), 100-meter freestyle (53.07) and the 50-meter freestyle (24.21). Other first-place finishers for the Bulls were Roxanne Kuba (200-meter freestyle), Julie Sapienza (100-meter backstroke), Kim Theege (100-meter breaststroke) and Andrea Skillman in diving.

Athletes of the Week

Junior Inger Rooneem took first-place finishes in the 100-meter butterfly (58.95), 100-meter freestyle (53.07) and the 50-meter freestyle (53.07) to lead the women's swimming team to a 207-90 win over visiting Niagara on Oct. 29.