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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Bulls excited to finish season under coach Wood

The Bulls continue goal toward a bowl game even with a change in leadership

Junior quarterback Joe Licata said the Bulls believe they can still compete for a bowl game. Buffalo will need to win at least four of its last five games to become bowl eligible.
Chad Cooper, The Spectrum
Junior quarterback Joe Licata said the Bulls believe they can still compete for a bowl game. Buffalo will need to win at least four of its last five games to become bowl eligible. Chad Cooper, The Spectrum

As Athletic Director Danny White continues his national search for the next Buffalo head football coach, the players continue to work toward their goal of a bowl game in 2014.

Former head coach Jeff Quinn and the Buffalo players held practice Monday after Saturday’s 37-27 loss to Eastern Michigan. After practice, Deputy Director of Athletics Allen Greene spoke to the players and informed them Quinn would no longer be their head coach. The football team began the season 3-4 and 1-2 in Mid-American Conference play.

White pulled Quinn to the side after practice to inform Quinn that his contract would be terminated.

“Initial reaction was definitely shock,” said junior quarterback Joe Licata. “We were confused at first but Danny White explained his decision to us yesterday and we are going to rally around coach Wood and we are excited for these last five games.”

Alex Wood will be the team’s head coach for the remainder of the season. He was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Quinn. Wood also called the offensive plays this season.

The team held a players-only meeting after Greene informed them there would be a “change in leadership,” according to Licata.

Licata said the players are responding well to the change. He’s also excited to have the head coach sitting in his meetings, as Wood has been in all offensive and quarterback meeting throughout the season.

“We’ve had two great team meetings with coach Wood leading the way,” Licata said. “He’s going to tell us how he feels. Whether it’s right or wrong he’s always going to express his own opinion and it’s great.”

Wood served as UB’s offensive coordinator for four seasons. Before Buffalo, he was running backs coach at University of Miami for five seasons – including two national championship years. Wood coached in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.

The team still believes it can make a bowl game. The Bulls will need to win at least four of their last five games of the season to be eligible to play in a bowl game.

“The guys are fired up, as always,” Licata said. “Putting it into perspective, this could possibly be these seniors last five games of football ever. We are rallying around those seniors, rallying around coach wood and we are excited.”

The Bulls have been are currently practicing through their bye week and won’t play again until Saturday, Oct. 25. Buffalo hosts Central Michigan at UB Stadium at 3:30 p.m.

email: sports@ubspectrum.com

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