Five Buffalo football players were named to Phil Steele’s preseason All-Mid-American Conference team on Monday.
Senior running backs Anthone Taylor and Devin Campbell and senior wide receiver Ron Willoughby made the second team, while senior tight end Matt Weiser and junior offensive tackle Matt Kling made the third and fourth team respectively. Campbell made the team as a kick returner.
After taking over for UB all-time rushing leader Branden Oliver, Taylor picked up where Oliver left off. Taylor ran for 1,403 and 12 touchdowns – including three 200-yard rushing games, which is a Buffalo single-season record.
Willoughby became senior quarterback Joe Licata’s favorite target last season with 50 catches for 771 yards and nine touchdowns. Campbell averaged 23.3 yards per kickoff return last season with three returns of 42 yards or more. Weiser put up career-highs in catches (15), yards (286) and touchdowns (four) last season and Kling started all 11 games for the Bulls at right tackle.
After making Steele’s preseason second team last season, Licata didn’t make the list at all this year despite putting up career-highs in touchdowns (29) and completion percentage (64.9) last season.
The MAC will announce its preseason coaches’ poll later in the summer.
Tom Dinki is the editor in chief and can be reached at tom.dinki@ubspectrum.com
