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SPORTS

"Despite losing Johnson, Bulls aim to maintain lock-down secondary"

This year's Bulls team will need to replace a player who had a strong voice in the locker room and doubled as the best shutdown cornerback on the team, and arguably the best in the conference. Senior corner Najja Johnson is one of the two 2013 first-team All-Mid-American Conference players (along with Khalil Mack) on the Bulls' defense who will not return due to graduation. With seniors like Johnson, Derek Brim and Okoye Houston no longer playing, the football team will rely on groomed veterans and young players to step into the defensive secondary. "You can't replace guys like Mack and Johnson, but you can learn and mimic their ethics," said junior cornerback Cortney Lester, who played across from Johnson for three years. Johnson led the team in pass breakups with nine and tied for the team lead in interceptions with three.


SPORTS

Quick Hits

Baseball (16-12, 7-4 Mid-American Conference) After having their home opener doubleheader against Niagara (10-21, 3-7 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) canceled Tuesday, the Bulls travel to Kent State (23-12, 9-3 MAC) this weekend for a three-game series.


SPORTS

Buffalo 'D' hopes to continue success without Mack

Last season, the Buffalo defense recorded 38 sacks and 90 tackles for loss. More than half of this production is no longer on the team - with no loss more notable than that of linebacker Khalil Mack. Starting defensive linemen Colby Way and Beau Bachtelle have also graduated.


SPORTS

Top 10 of the D1 era - No. 10: Branden Oliver

When former Bulls running back James Starks - the school's all-time leading rusher at the time - graduated after the 2009 season, it not only left a major hole in the backfield, but also marked the end of the career of one of the greatest athletes UB had ever seen. Little did Bulls fans know that the next great Bulls running back was already on campus: Branden Oliver. When Oliver was a freshman, Starks - now with the Green Bay Packers - told him he would break his records.


SPORTS

Buffalo to host rugby sevens tournament

The hitting won't let up at UB Stadium after the football team completes its Saturday morning practice.TheUB Rugby Football Club will take the field for an afternoon of fast-paced, competitive action with dreams of competing in the national tournament. UB will host the third of four series of the Empire Rugby Conference (ERC) sevens tournament Saturdayat 1 p.m.


SPORTS

Wanting the ball

Khalil Mack. Javon McCrea.Tori Speckman. Tori Speckman? Anybody who even remotely follows University at Buffalo Athletics has certainly heard of the first two names listed above.


SPORTS

Spring Standouts

Baseball (13-12, 4-4 Mid-American Conference) MVP: Mike Burke, senior pitcher/infielder Burke has made a major impact both on the mound and at the plate thus far this season.


SPORTS

"At spring practice, Licata lifts Bulls from off the field"

In April 2013, quarterback Joe Licata was in the midst of a fierce competition for the starting position with Alex Zordich when Licata injured his hip. The injury never went away, and he knew he'd get a post-season diagnosis he wouldn't like. "I was able to [play], so I wanted to [play]," Licata said.


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SPORTS

"Errors, subpar offense lead to series loss against Central Michigan"

In what was mostly a weekend the baseball team would like to forget, there was one moment that will go down in team history. After Central Michigan (19-12, 8-1 Mid-American Conference) swept the Bulls (13-12, 4-4 MAC) in a doubleheader Saturday, resulting in Buffalo's first loss in a regular season conference series since May 2012, Buffalo turned to senior pitcher/shortstop and staff ace Mike Burke on Sunday. Burke turned in an outstanding performance, hurling a complete game while allowing two earned runs and striking out five to improve his record to 4-2 with the 11-3 win.


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