Not many collegiate quarterbacks start during their freshman year. However when the starter at the time, Sterwart Sampsel, went down in Buffalo's home opener in 2005, Drew Willy was thrust into action. In the three years since this fateful day Willy has taken his lumps, but going into Saturday's game against Baylor he had completed 72 percent of his passes this season, which ranked him first in the Mid-American Conference.
Willy, now a junior, was born and raised in Randolph, NJ, where he attended Randolph High School. It was there where he began to develop as a star athlete. He left behind a legacy at his high school, setting school records for career passing yards with 5,387 and career touchdowns with 51.
After being named to the third-team All-State for football, Willy was highly sought after by a number of Division I schools, and not just for football. Willy was recruited by Division I school for both football and basketball. Willy was an all-area point guard for Randolph High School.
With all the other offers on the table, one could wonder why Willy would choose football and Buffalo?.
"At the end of the day it was really coach Mogridge, the offensive line coach," Willy said. "He actually was at my school all the time. We must have talked for hours at a time at my school and stuff, so I really just felt comfortable with him and what they were trying to do here as a program."
The fact that the Bulls needed somebody who could make an immediate impact at the quarterback position also was a key factor in his decision.
"I thought I would get a shot to play early so that was a big decision, so at the end of the day it just kind of fell through and worked out for me," Willy said.
Willy saw plenty of playing time at the beginning of his college career. He played in 10 games as a true freshman, eight of which he started. He was the first true freshman to start for the Bulls since they re-entered Division I athletics. Willy had an immediate impact completing 60.6 percent of his passes as a freshman. This percentage set a new school record.
Willy has high hopes for the football team. He hopes to bring the same success to the Bulls that he did to his high school team, the Randolph Rams.
"Number one goal is to win a MAC championship, get to a bowl game, just be successful as a team," Willy said.
Playing in big games is no big deal for Willy. He led his high school team to two conference titles, and has played in a number of big games in hostile environments since coming to Buffalo.
"For me, this year at Rutgers going home to play in front of a lot of family and friends and going down to Auburn was just an experience to play in a SEC (Southeastern Conference) atmosphere, and the hotel was great and the food was great down there," Willy said. "Southern hospitality was great."
Willy is off to another solid year. In the game versus Temple on Sept. 8, he completed 20 of 22 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He played well again the following week on completing 28 of 39 pass attempts for 330 yards at Penn State.
Willy seems to apply the same work ethic off the field as he does on the field. Despite being extremely busy with football, he is working hard and getting good grades in a number of marketing classes on his way to a communications degree.
Just like every other college student it's never all work and no play. Even though Willy might not get to go out as much as a normal college student, he still finds time to blow off steam with the guys.
"Well if we do have a night life, it's just usually me and the guys might go out or something. I'm not really a huge partier, but if it is, me and the guys go out and ya know what ever happens from there," Willy said.
Willy now focuses on the schedule like the rest of the Bulls. Willy hopes to make his mark on the record books for the Bulls who if win more then two games this year will break there win record since becoming a Division I football squad. Willy is not concerned with personal triumph but like his days back in Jersey, he is more concerned with the team.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
