Offensive Strengths
The Bulls return nine starters from an offense that averaged over 23-points per game over their final five contests in 2001. With that, four returning starters return to the offensive line that pounded out nearly 150-yards per game on the ground. No longer is Buffalo being dominated in the trenches as Andy Avery (6?7?? 262), Eric Weber (6?5?? 301), Erik Zeppuhar (6?4?? 275) & Jeff Mills (6?5?? 288), really came into their own during the second half of the season. For the first time since UB joined the MAC in 1999, the Bulls have quality depth on the line. Kevin Dunn (6?2?? 264), Alex Alvarez (6?4?? 292), Dan Minocchi (6?2?? 273), Willie Paris (6?3?? 320), Ted Howard (6?4?? 275), Mike Schifano (6?5?? 280), Zach Love (6?4?? 285) & Matt Baniewicz (6?1?? 263) give UB nearly a three-deep luxury they have never known in their football annals. Chad Bartoszek (6?6?? 255) may be the best TE in the conference and NFL scouts are already looking at him. Last year he averaged 10.5 yards per catch, caught 42 passes and added three TDs. Jason Smalarz (6?4?? 244) is a quality backup at TE.
Offensive Concerns
When QB Joe Freedy was certainly not the most flashy player in the conference, but he did graduate as the school?s all-time leading passer with over 5,000 yards to his credit. Much ballyhooed Randall Secky (6?4?? 215) is the leading candidate for this vacant position and seems cemented as the started after a strong spring. Jeff Powell (6?3?? 210) and PJ Piskorik (6?0?? 205) will be pressing for some playing time, but don?t count out true freshman Michael Radon (6?1?? 175) vying for the position this August. He is the most celebrated recruit in school history and can do many things well but Piskorik played very well during the spring sessions. At running back, there is no real dominating player to be that "every down" back that several MAC schools possess. Marquis Dwarte (5?6?? 160) has been the leading rusher the past two seasons holds the #1 spot, but Aaron Leeper (5?10?? 184), David Dawson (5?8?? 180) and David Alabi (5?9?? 205) provide depth, but all of these players lack size. FB Tom Shaughnessy (6?1?? 242) is a bruiser, but rarely used in running schemes. Several players look to emerge from the cloud of prospects at WR. UB does lack that breakaway threat that many MAC schools have at the wideout position, but Matt Knueven (6?1?? 200) may become that guy. Andre Forde (5?11?? 208) battled injuries much of last year and Maurice Bradford (5?10?? 172) has good speed, but Dan Lindsay (5?10?? 190), Adam Johnson (6?5?? 210/former QB), Bam McDonald (5?9?? 182/former RB), Tim Dance (5?11?? 185) & Gabe McClover (6?2?? 210) need to produce. The Bulls for averaged only 316-total yards & 18 points per game in 2001. That needs to get much better for UB to have a chance this year in a much-improved East division.
Defensive Strengths
Buffalo made great strides in Coach Hofher?s first year on the defensive side of the ball. For the entire 2001 season, UB ended up 2nd in the MAC in pass defense (180 yards per game), 4th in total defense (357 yards per game), and a respectable 7th overall in scoring defense giving up 26-points per game. The DBs look to be the strength of the Bull?s defense this fall. Mike Lambert (5?10?? 185), Mark Graham (6?1?? 190) & JJ Gibson (5?9?? 178) started all 11 games together last fall and combined for over 200 tackles and five INTs. Gibson is also a big-time hitter, forcing two fumbles. Dahnel Singfield (6?0?? 182), Darren Hicks (5?8?? 164), Kevin Concepcion (5?1?? 180), Gemara Williams (5?8?? 173) and true freshman James Vann (6?2?? 190) give UB a lot of good DB depth, which will be needed in the pass happy MAC East. Defensive ends Demetrius Austrum (6?2?? 228), Anthony Adriano (6?3?? 237), Rashad Clark (6?2?? 245) & Obadiah Harris (6?2?? 230) should help UB do better than their 12-sack performance as a team in 2001. This was a MAC low.
Defensive Concerns
Although Buffalo made great strides in 2001 on defense, they return just four starters from that unit which held the team together when the offense struggles so much at the the beginning of the year. Replacing DT Omari Jordan, LB Chris Shelly, DE Duane Williams and LB Bobby Johnson will not be easy. The LB corps took a huge hit with graduation and will be counting on LB Lamar Wilcher (6?2?? 238) to become a team leader. Floridian?s Ken Soltis (6?0?? 250) and Richard Sanders (5?11?? 250) will need to contribute right away as will Deonne McClelland (6?1?? 215), Rod Morris (5?11?? 220), Ryan Buttles (6?1?? 218) and Jason Coley (6?1?? 210). The DTs will really need to make a better push off of the ball this year to put more pressure on opposing QBs. Marcus Clarett (6?1?? 283), Terrance Dawson (6?3?? 275), Craig Johnson (6?1?? 290), Bill Meholif (6?2?? 250) and Michael Nguti (6?1?? 296) are on the spot, and don?t be surprised if true freshman Kevin Wiggins (6?2?? 290) gets some playing time.
Special Teams
Kicker Dallas Pelz was a pleasant surprise in 2001. He connected 12 of 18 FGs, but had a 50-yarder at Army and went 11 of 13 on the road. He was twice named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2001. Punter Scott McMahan averaged just 39-yard per boot but did down 17 kicks inside the opposition?s 20-yard line. UB was 10th in the MAC in kickoff returns and 6th in punt returns. UB did lose their long snapper and ?holder? to graduation.
Schedule
Buffalo has a favorable schedule compared to most MAC schools. UB plays U-Conn & Lehigh (I-AA) at home and travel to Rutgers and Minnesota. Buffalo can conceivably go 3-1 in these games. Crossover games are traveling to Ball State and hosting Western Michigan a week after the Broncos host Virginia Tech. Within the East, Miami & UCF visit while the Bulls travel to Marshall, Ohio and Akron.
Omar?s View = 3-9; wins against Lehigh, @Rutgers & U-Conn; losses @Minnesota, @Ohio, WMU, @Marshall, Miami, @Kent State, UCF, @Akron & @Ball State.
Overview
Buffalo has recruited on par with the majority of the MAC schools for two straight years. No longer is this team a total patsy that will lie down and lose 40-0. Victories at U-Conn and Army and heartbreaking losses to Eastern and Central Michigan do show that this team is making progress and is not that far behind the MAC anymore. With so many graduation losses on the defensive side of the ball, it?s hard to see UB keeping in many games like they did last year. When Buffalo resumes practice this August, they will have more players on their roster who have never taken a varsity snap than those who have. The key for Buffalo to be successful this fall is for the offensive line to continue to progress and for offense to sustain long drives to keep a young "D" off of the field. A favorable schedule may assist here and don?t be surprised if this team upsets someone along the way in the MAC who may be looking past them. With some really strong Redshirt and true freshmen classes, this is a team that in 2004 will be very exciting and competitive to watch. For now, I hope UB fans finally start supporting this program and a quality young head coach. UB will be properly prepared every week, but still lacks the big-time talent that many MAC schools have to compete week in and week out. Buffalo will take some lumps this year, but times are a changing for the better for UB football.
BOLD PREDICTION Buffalo will go 3-1 in OOC games in 2002!
Pivotal Game:
Lehigh (8/29/02): The Mountain Hawks (I knew them as the Engineers when I lived in Bethlehem, PA) are a very good I-AA team that has a sophisticated pass offense and annually makes the playoffs. A victory over this team gives the Bulls much needed confidence before they travel to Rutgers. A loss erases the small swagger UB acquired after their win at Army in 2001. Going against a pass happy team will prepare them for the offensive arsenal they will face throughout this year from East division foes.
The Bulls return nine starters from an offense that averaged over 23-points per game over their final five contests in 2001. With that, four returning starters return to the offensive line that pounded out nearly 150-yards per game on the ground. No longer is Buffalo being dominated in the trenches as Andy Avery (6?7?? 262), Eric Weber (6?5?? 301), Erik Zeppuhar (6?4?? 275) & Jeff Mills (6?5?? 288), really came into their own during the second half of the season. For the first time since UB joined the MAC in 1999, the Bulls have quality depth on the line. Kevin Dunn (6?2?? 264), Alex Alvarez (6?4?? 292), Dan Minocchi (6?2?? 273), Willie Paris (6?3?? 320), Ted Howard (6?4?? 275), Mike Schifano (6?5?? 280), Zach Love (6?4?? 285) & Matt Baniewicz (6?1?? 263) give UB nearly a three-deep luxury they have never known in their football annals. Chad Bartoszek (6?6?? 255) may be the best TE in the conference and NFL scouts are already looking at him. Last year he averaged 10.5 yards per catch, caught 42 passes and added three TDs. Jason Smalarz (6?4?? 244) is a quality backup at TE.
Offensive Concerns
When QB Joe Freedy was certainly not the most flashy player in the conference, but he did graduate as the school?s all-time leading passer with over 5,000 yards to his credit. Much ballyhooed Randall Secky (6?4?? 215) is the leading candidate for this vacant position and seems cemented as the started after a strong spring. Jeff Powell (6?3?? 210) and PJ Piskorik (6?0?? 205) will be pressing for some playing time, but don?t count out true freshman Michael Radon (6?1?? 175) vying for the position this August. He is the most celebrated recruit in school history and can do many things well but Piskorik played very well during the spring sessions. At running back, there is no real dominating player to be that "every down" back that several MAC schools possess. Marquis Dwarte (5?6?? 160) has been the leading rusher the past two seasons holds the #1 spot, but Aaron Leeper (5?10?? 184), David Dawson (5?8?? 180) and David Alabi (5?9?? 205) provide depth, but all of these players lack size. FB Tom Shaughnessy (6?1?? 242) is a bruiser, but rarely used in running schemes. Several players look to emerge from the cloud of prospects at WR. UB does lack that breakaway threat that many MAC schools have at the wideout position, but Matt Knueven (6?1?? 200) may become that guy. Andre Forde (5?11?? 208) battled injuries much of last year and Maurice Bradford (5?10?? 172) has good speed, but Dan Lindsay (5?10?? 190), Adam Johnson (6?5?? 210/former QB), Bam McDonald (5?9?? 182/former RB), Tim Dance (5?11?? 185) & Gabe McClover (6?2?? 210) need to produce. The Bulls for averaged only 316-total yards & 18 points per game in 2001. That needs to get much better for UB to have a chance this year in a much-improved East division.
Defensive Strengths
Buffalo made great strides in Coach Hofher?s first year on the defensive side of the ball. For the entire 2001 season, UB ended up 2nd in the MAC in pass defense (180 yards per game), 4th in total defense (357 yards per game), and a respectable 7th overall in scoring defense giving up 26-points per game. The DBs look to be the strength of the Bull?s defense this fall. Mike Lambert (5?10?? 185), Mark Graham (6?1?? 190) & JJ Gibson (5?9?? 178) started all 11 games together last fall and combined for over 200 tackles and five INTs. Gibson is also a big-time hitter, forcing two fumbles. Dahnel Singfield (6?0?? 182), Darren Hicks (5?8?? 164), Kevin Concepcion (5?1?? 180), Gemara Williams (5?8?? 173) and true freshman James Vann (6?2?? 190) give UB a lot of good DB depth, which will be needed in the pass happy MAC East. Defensive ends Demetrius Austrum (6?2?? 228), Anthony Adriano (6?3?? 237), Rashad Clark (6?2?? 245) & Obadiah Harris (6?2?? 230) should help UB do better than their 12-sack performance as a team in 2001. This was a MAC low.
Defensive Concerns
Although Buffalo made great strides in 2001 on defense, they return just four starters from that unit which held the team together when the offense struggles so much at the the beginning of the year. Replacing DT Omari Jordan, LB Chris Shelly, DE Duane Williams and LB Bobby Johnson will not be easy. The LB corps took a huge hit with graduation and will be counting on LB Lamar Wilcher (6?2?? 238) to become a team leader. Floridian?s Ken Soltis (6?0?? 250) and Richard Sanders (5?11?? 250) will need to contribute right away as will Deonne McClelland (6?1?? 215), Rod Morris (5?11?? 220), Ryan Buttles (6?1?? 218) and Jason Coley (6?1?? 210). The DTs will really need to make a better push off of the ball this year to put more pressure on opposing QBs. Marcus Clarett (6?1?? 283), Terrance Dawson (6?3?? 275), Craig Johnson (6?1?? 290), Bill Meholif (6?2?? 250) and Michael Nguti (6?1?? 296) are on the spot, and don?t be surprised if true freshman Kevin Wiggins (6?2?? 290) gets some playing time.
Special Teams
Kicker Dallas Pelz was a pleasant surprise in 2001. He connected 12 of 18 FGs, but had a 50-yarder at Army and went 11 of 13 on the road. He was twice named MAC Special Teams Player of the Week in 2001. Punter Scott McMahan averaged just 39-yard per boot but did down 17 kicks inside the opposition?s 20-yard line. UB was 10th in the MAC in kickoff returns and 6th in punt returns. UB did lose their long snapper and ?holder? to graduation.
Schedule
Buffalo has a favorable schedule compared to most MAC schools. UB plays U-Conn & Lehigh (I-AA) at home and travel to Rutgers and Minnesota. Buffalo can conceivably go 3-1 in these games. Crossover games are traveling to Ball State and hosting Western Michigan a week after the Broncos host Virginia Tech. Within the East, Miami & UCF visit while the Bulls travel to Marshall, Ohio and Akron.
Omar?s View = 3-9; wins against Lehigh, @Rutgers & U-Conn; losses @Minnesota, @Ohio, WMU, @Marshall, Miami, @Kent State, UCF, @Akron & @Ball State.
Overview
Buffalo has recruited on par with the majority of the MAC schools for two straight years. No longer is this team a total patsy that will lie down and lose 40-0. Victories at U-Conn and Army and heartbreaking losses to Eastern and Central Michigan do show that this team is making progress and is not that far behind the MAC anymore. With so many graduation losses on the defensive side of the ball, it?s hard to see UB keeping in many games like they did last year. When Buffalo resumes practice this August, they will have more players on their roster who have never taken a varsity snap than those who have. The key for Buffalo to be successful this fall is for the offensive line to continue to progress and for offense to sustain long drives to keep a young "D" off of the field. A favorable schedule may assist here and don?t be surprised if this team upsets someone along the way in the MAC who may be looking past them. With some really strong Redshirt and true freshmen classes, this is a team that in 2004 will be very exciting and competitive to watch. For now, I hope UB fans finally start supporting this program and a quality young head coach. UB will be properly prepared every week, but still lacks the big-time talent that many MAC schools have to compete week in and week out. Buffalo will take some lumps this year, but times are a changing for the better for UB football.
BOLD PREDICTION Buffalo will go 3-1 in OOC games in 2002!
Pivotal Game:
Lehigh (8/29/02): The Mountain Hawks (I knew them as the Engineers when I lived in Bethlehem, PA) are a very good I-AA team that has a sophisticated pass offense and annually makes the playoffs. A victory over this team gives the Bulls much needed confidence before they travel to Rutgers. A loss erases the small swagger UB acquired after their win at Army in 2001. Going against a pass happy team will prepare them for the offensive arsenal they will face throughout this year from East division foes.
