UB Football Preview

As another season of UB football approaches many people have wondered if this year will be any better than the last. With a team chock full of returning players, the answer may finally be "yes". Don't believe it? Here's a position-by-position breakdown of this years Bulls team.

Quarterback

Last year's starter Randall Secky returns for his junior year. Last season he started all 12 games and completed 204 of his 421 pass attempts. He threw 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. With a full year as a starter behind him Secky should improve on his numbers and help lead the Bulls offense to all around improvement. In case Secky falters, sophomore P.J. Piskorik will be there to back him up. Piskorik, who is referred to as an athletic quarterback, sat out last season but has challenged Secky in both spring and fall practices.

Running Back

Running back is perhaps the Bulls strongest position. MAC Freshman of the Year Aaron Leeper and his talented backup Dave Dawson both return at tailback. Last year, Leeper set school freshman records for rushing yards (917), all-purpose yards (1,267) and touchdowns (10). Leeper added some weight and size in the off-season and should be able to improve on last year's outing. Last season, Dawson, a sophomore, rushed for 362 yards on 61 carries and added two touchdowns.

At fullback, senior Tom Shaughnessy and red shirt freshman Jared Patterson will both get looks. Shaughnessy has been a key special teams player for the Bulls and is also an excellent blocker and receiver.

Wide Receiver

The Bulls lost three receivers to graduation, including last year's team MVP Andre Forde. In to replace Forde and company are sophomore Tim Dance and junior Matt Knueven. Dance caught 16 balls for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Knueven had a standout true freshman season, catching 35 balls for 443 yards, but was slowed by injuries last year. Also looking to battle for playing time are Gabe McClover, Derrick Dyer, Brian Watson and Adam Johnson.

Tight End

UB lost two-time All-MAC tight end Chad Bartoszek to graduation and this is the one position on offense where they'll be weaker than where they were last year. Redshirt freshman Chad Upshaw, junior college transfer Brian Miller and Shaughnessy have all spent time working out at the position.

Offensive Line

The Bulls return their entire offensive line from a year ago and needless to say, it is one of their deepest positions. Senior co-captain Jeff Mills and junior Erik Zeppuhar have both started 23 games in a row for UB. Besides Mills and Zeppuhar, Mike Schifano, Eric Weber, Kevin Dunn, Dan Minocchi, Alex Alvarez and Zachary Love have all started games for the Bulls and will battle for playing time at the various positions.

Defensive Line

Like the offensive line, the Bulls defensive line returns all of their starters. Last season three freshmen, Rob Schroeder, Phil Jacques and Bill Meholif all started every game for the Bulls. UB also returns Demetrius Austrum and Anthony Andriano who were also integral contributors from a year ago. Andriano led the group with 41 tackles while Schroeder led the team with four sacks.

Linebackers

This unit lost only one player from last year's group and is yet another position where the Bulls are deep. Lamar Wilcher, one of the fiercest hitters in the MAC, returns at inside linebacker and will serve as captain for the second time. Returning outside linebackers Rodney Morris and Bryan Cummings will also continue to see a lot of playing time. Last season Morris, now a junior, logged 62 tackles, 41 of which were solo. On the other side Cummings made 54 tackles and recorded two sacks as a true freshman. Chris Clifton and James Vann also saw some time last year and both are hoping to see much more time this season.

Defensive Backs

This is the only defensive unit to lose anyone this season. While the two safeties, Mark Graham and J.J. Gibson return, the Bulls lost both starting cornerbacks to graduation. Graham led the bulls with 89 tackles, six interceptions and 13 passes defended. Gibson was not far behind as he notched 68 tackles, broke up six passes and had one interception. On the corner, Gemara Williams moves back to his natural position at cornerback from safety, where he started six games last season. He finished last season with 43 tackles, six passes defended and one interception. Also at cornerback, Angel Baines, Delando Bradford, Bradford Smith and Michael Arroyo will all see some time.

Special Teams

Dallas Pelz and Mike Baker both have experience kicking for UB. The two battled last season and in spring drills for the place kicking job. Last season Pelz struggled and eventually gave way to Baker at the position. Pelz will start the season with the punting duty since last year's punter Scott McMahan graduated. Long snapper Adam Johnson is back and Secky is expected to be the holder.

The biggest loss on special teams was that of Forde, who averaged 8.5 yards on punt returns and 20.9 yards on kickoffs. Dance, Leeper, Knueven, Dawson and Williams will all see time returning until someone settles in at the position.