ATHENS, Ohio – There is no question that Buffalo, especially its offense, has struggled this season, but Ohio coach Frank Solich said the Bulls are not as bad as they appear by the numbers.

Buffalo (2-6, 1-3 Mid-American Conference) has played six of its first eight games against teams with winning records.

“They’re much better than what their record might indicate,” Solich said. “They have very, very good skill players and I’m very impressed with their ability to return kicks.”

The Bulls rank second-to-last in the MAC in scoring at 14.9 points per game and ninth in offense at 319.9 yards per game.

After Jerry Davis struggled with 12 interceptions in parts of seven games, he was replaced at quarterback by true freshman Alex Zordich. Having played the better part of the last two games, he has completed 29 of 62 passes for 327 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions.

“Our freshman quarterback did a nice job,” Buffalo coach Jeff Quinn said. “Zordich, he’s a great competitor. I think he gives us our best chance at being successful, and we’re going to continue developing him. We’ve got to do a better job up front protecting him.”

Junior Marcus Rivers ranks seventh in the MAC with 42 catches and 586 yards. Junior Terrel Jackson is 10th in the MAC with 37 catches for 360 yards.

Brandon Oliver (93 carries, 265 yards) and Jeffvon Gill (48 carries, 239 yards) have shared carries for the Bulls, whose average of 3.1 yards per carry ranks 10th in the league.

Solich said Buffalo presents challenges to Ohio’s defense, especially with Zordich at quarterback.

“That usually takes a little bit of time, but I was impressed with what I saw of him,” Solich said. “He did not get flustered in the pocket. He will make throws on time. Even when you’re pressuring him, he’ll find the receiver and not scramble before he has to scramble, although he does have ability to scramble. They’ll probably just keep growing with him, but they’re certainly dangerous enough with him right now.”

Defensively, Buffalo ranks third in the MAC, allowing just 337.2 yards per game, although the Bulls have allowed 29.6 points per game.

Safety Davonte Shannon is a playmaker in the secondary with a team-leading 70 tackles and three interceptions. Cornerback Domonic Cook has six interceptions to lead the nation.

“Defensively, they’ve got some excellent secondary people,” Solich said. “Their safety Davonte Shannon is their leading tackler. Josh Thomas at corner, I think some people feel he is a potential NFL-type player, and so there is plenty there to make you concerned. We’re going to have to really be on top of our game.”

Ohio (6-3, 4-1 MAC) has averaged 37.8 points over the last five games. The Bobcats’ overall average of 29.4 points ranks third in the MAC, and its average of 342.2 yards per game ranks fourth.

Quarterback Boo Jackson has thrown for 1,302 yards while completing 62.3 percent of his passes with 12 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also has rushed for 289 yards and six scores.

Phil Bates, questionable again after having played only a handful of plays the last two games, still leads the Bobcats in rushing with 382 yards. Vince Davidson has rushed for 356 yards.

Terrence McCrae has 22 catches for 355 yards and seven touchdowns as Ohio’s leading receiver, while Steven Goulet (19 catches, 298 yards) and Riley Dunlop (18 catches, 233 yards) also have been main targets.

Linebacker Chad Clemens leads the Bobcats with 57 tackles, while safety Donovan Fletcher has 50 tackles and five interceptions. Stafford Gatling leads Ohio with five sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

“As far as Buffalo is concerned, I see them as a physical football team – one that will play very, very hard,” Solich said. “They do have individual talent and I think that their talent is coming together more and more as they go through the season.”

Kickoff for the home finale and Senior Night is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday against the Bulls and will be broadcast on ESPNU.