The Buffalo football team lost by 13 points to Penn State, which seems to define college football culture. But Saturday's loss for Buffalo was more impressive than the Nittany Lions' victory.
The Bulls (1-1) couldn’t hold down Penn State (1-1) as the Nittany Lions notched their first victory of the year, a 27-14 win on Saturday at a rainy Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania.
The football team (1-0) defeated Albany (0-1) 51-14 Saturday at UB Stadium for the first win under head coach Lance Leipold. The Great Danes, a team from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), scored the opening touchdown on an 82-yard drive, but the Bulls rattled of 38 straight points to put the game away.
Those who’ve worked with Leipold at Wisconsin-Whitewater and those who’ve been around him the past few months in Buffalo, from players to assistant coaches to administrators, are filled with confidence. A confidence that Lance Leipold has all the tools to be a successful Division-I coach.
After a spring game, endless two-a-days, the final tune-ups and preseason predictions and expectations, the football team is finally ready to start the 2015 season – none more anxious than Leipold, the Bulls first-year head coach.
While my predicted record of 6-6 for the Bulls suggests that the 2015 season will be a successful one, the true success for the Bulls will come if they can take a step forward and create a program that can be successful for years at a time.
Leipold’s first season in Buffalo probably won’t result in the program’s second-ever MAC Championship or third-ever bowl appearance – and it doesn’t have to. Leipold’s first season in Buffalo only has to a result in a competitive MAC team that will be just entertaining enough to fill up UB Stadium seats this season and make season ticket holders want to renew for next season.
Fans want to see action. Unless someone is an avid football fan who loves defensive matchups, most fans want to witness a shootout. For a school that is trying to rebuild its image for a depleted football program, the best option is to give fans what they want: a fast-paced, high-scoring offense. And that’s exactly what Buffalo will do this upcoming season.
It’s no surprise this year’s version of Buffalo's defense has many question marks, loaded with new faces and the obstacle of the unexpected after the departure of many fixtures. But a new coaching regime poses an opportunity to revamp an inexperienced defense and turn Buffalo into contenders on both sides of the ball.
The Bulls have three seniors who give Buffalo a dynamic trio of seniors that could possibly propel the team through the season.
Sokoli has spent the last month preparing himself for the rigors of training camp and his goal of making the 53-man roster.
There's several intriguing story lines to watch out for as the football, volleyball and men's and women's soccer teams gear up for the 2015 season. The Spectrum has you covered on what to watch out for.
Five Buffalo football players were named to Phil Steele’s preseason All-Mid-American Conference team on Monday.
UB Athletics recently announced the West Club, which is planned to open in August in time for the start of the Bulls’ season. The 400-seat section on the west side of the stadium will include an enclosed club private concourse, outside club seating, food and beverage service, private elevator access, premium parking and personalized seating.
With the departure of seniors Tedroy Lynch, Dalton Barksdale and Kristjan Sokoli on the line, the coaching staff will rely on a conglomerate of younger players and experienced players who will assume larger roles to man the defensive line.
Bulls' football head coach Lance Leipold implemented a 4-3-4 defense during the spring football season, which consists of four linemen, three linebackers and four defensive backs. The new system requires more preparation and studying and Leipold considers it going back to Football 101.
Last season, the Buffalo football team witnessed a breakout season from junior wide receiver Ron Willoughby and consistent production from senior wide receiver Devon Hughes. With Hughes graduated, the Bulls must replace the No. 2 receiver.
The biggest challenge new head coach Lance Leipold has to figure out entering next season is the missing pieces of the offensive and defensive lines.
On Saturday, the Bulls held their annual Blue-White spring football game at UB Stadium.
Last season, the Bulls finished third in the Mid-American Conference in rushing yards per game with 178.6 and will return all three rushers from last season in seniors Anthony Taylor and Devin Campbell and junior Jordan Johnson. The Bulls will play their annual spring game on Saturday, April 18 in UB Stadium.
Solutions by The State News
