Sports - The Spectrum

Redshirt-sophomore cornerback Christian Braswell (left) assists senior linebacker Shaun Bradley in a tackle during the fourth quarter in the Owls' game against Maryland at Lincoln Financial Field on Sept. 14, 2019.

SPORTS

Get to Know an Opponent: Temple

By JUSTIN WEISS | Sep. 18, 2019

The Bulls return to UB Stadium Saturday afternoon as 14-point underdogs against the Temple Owls. Coming off a 20-17 victory over then-No. 21 Maryland, the Owls are a formidable challenger to the Bulls, who struggled in a 35-17 loss to Liberty Saturday. The Owls have received seven votes in the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll, after defeating Bucknell 56-12 in week one and Maryland in week three.

UB kicker Alex McNulty levels his foot against the ball at a summer football practice.

SPORTS

UB’s first new starting kicker in four years: Alex McNulty

By JUSTIN WEISS | Sep. 15, 2019

Alex McNulty was doing a drill in gym class at McQuaid Jesuit High School in his sophomore year when he realized he might have a chance on the field. After his teacher set up a couple footballs, he hit a 55-yard field goal at the end of class.

Tess Ford goes in for a challenge to win the possession back for UB.

SPORTS

UB defeats Niagara 1-0

By Alexander Poland | Sep. 15, 2019

The UB women’s soccer team (3-2-1) beat the Niagara University Purple Eagles (4-2-1) 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.

Patterson at UB's home opener against Robert Morris.

SPORTS

Stampede Stats: Liberty Flames bulldoze Bulls after huge second quarter

By Sean Stanton | Sep. 15, 2019

The Bulls (1-2) kept the game relatively close throughout the first quarter on Saturday against the Liberty Flames (1-2), but their defense fell apart in the second quarter, ultimately leading to a 35-17 Flames victory.

Liberty Quarterback Stephen Calvert throws a pass.

SPORTS

Get to know an opponent: Liberty

By JUSTIN WEISS | Sep. 11, 2019

Unlike the No. 15 Nittany Lions, the Flames are one of the Bulls’ most evenly matched opponents this year, dropping their first two games of the season in resounding fashion. The Flames made headlines this summer when they hired former Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze.

UB football player Dominic Johnson stands on UB Stadium.

SPORTS

No offseason: Dominic Johnson spends spring on hardwood, fall on turf

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Sep. 11, 2019

Dominic Johnson wears two numbers for UB. He throws bullets to his teammates at UB Stadium as No. 9 in the fall. And in the spring, he’s a secret weapon in Alumni Arena, sporting No. 21 and using his 6-foot-5-inch, 210-pound stature to put up some jumpers.

UB defensive end Jordan Avissey holds back offensive lineman during an early season practice.

SPORTS

French Connection

By JUSTIN WEISS | Sep. 8, 2019

Jordan Avissey was 19 when he stepped onto the gridiron for the first time, but that didn’t stop him from becoming the unlikeliest of football stars.

The Bulls enter UB Stadium last week to face Robert Morris. Saturday marked their first loss of the season against Penn State.

SPORTS

Stampede Stats: Penn State downs Bulls after first-half thrill

By BENJAMIN BLANCHET | Sep. 7, 2019

The Bulls football team (1-1) quieted roughly 104,000 Penn State fans and shocked a national TV crowd, leading 10-7 after the first half of Saturday night’s game.

Senior Carley Zoccali was one of three Bulls to earn a goal during Friday's home victory.

SPORTS

Bulls dominate Houston Baptist in first season win

By Germain Brown | Sep. 7, 2019

It was an unusually brisk September night on Friday but it didn’t seem to phase the Bulls soccer team (1-2), which dominated the Houston Baptist Huskies (1-3) during UB’s home opener.

Matt Myers stands on sidelines of UB Stadium.

SPORTS

Homecoming king: Matt Myers embraces starting role

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | Sep. 4, 2019

Matt Myers is entering his second season as a pre-written success story. He led his high school football team to a state championship and he’s been on a Bulls football team that went 7-1 in the regular season.

The Bulls huddle up during last week's game against Robert Morris.

SPORTS

Preparing for Penn State

By Alexander Poland | Sep. 4, 2019

The Bulls football squad will now head to State College, Pa. to face No. 15 Penn State (1-0) on Saturday after a 38-10 victory against Robert Morris last Thursday.

UB running back Jaret Patterson takes one to the end zone last season as the Bulls defeated Robert Morris 38-10.

SPORTS

Bulls rout Robert Morris on opening night

By Alexander Poland | Aug. 30, 2019

The Bulls football team (1-0) defeated the Robert Morris University Colonials (0-1) 38-10 at UB Stadium on Thursday night.

Head football coach Lance Leipold stands at a recent bulls practice. Leipold talked with us before his team’s season opener on Thursday.

SPORTS

New season, new roster: Lance Leipold’s hopes for the Bulls

By JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA | Aug. 28, 2019

This year, the 2018 Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year is ready for even more success. In February, Leipold signed a contract keeping him in Buffalo through the 2023 season, and now he has a new fieldhouse to work with.

QB George Martin winds up for a pass during the Colonials’ training camp in 2017.

SPORTS

Get to Know an Opponent: Robert Morris

By JUSTIN WEISS | Aug. 28, 2019

On Thursday evening, the Bulls will enter UB Stadium as heavy favorites against Robert Morris. That isn’t stopping them from treating it as an important contest — memories of the not-too-distant past and nearly won season openers continue to haunt the football program.

Former Bulls quarterback Tyree Jackson winds up for a throw last season. Jackson is now fighting for a spot on the Buffalo Bills roster.

SPORTS

When Bulls become pros

By Alexander Poland | Aug. 27, 2019

UB football’s ten wins last season were a school record, but the team’s roster lost some key players when the season ended. Five of those players went on to make preseason camps for NFL teams. Still, to really make a team, players must make the final 53-man roster by the end of the preseason. This can be difficult for undrafted players, even for the talent that represented UB last season. Three of these players, highlighted below, may still have a chance at making their respective pro teams’ final roster.

The UB football team watches on during a speech at the Murchie Family Fieldhouse grand opening Tuesday.

SPORTS

UB community celebrates Murchie Family Fieldhouse grand opening

By JULIAN ROBERTS-GRMELA | Aug. 20, 2019

The UB community celebrated the Murchie Family Fieldhouse’s ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, as the facility opened its doors to the public.

CJ Massinburg (shown here) and Nick Perkins will take part in the NBA Summer League.

SPORTS

CJ Massinburg, Nick Perkins to join NBA Summer League

By BRENTON J. BLANCHET | June 22, 2019

Former UB basketball players CJ Massinburg and Nick Perkins will be taking their talents to Brooklyn and Los Angeles, respectively, this summer as members of the NBA Summer League.

Athletic Director Mark Alnutt takes a selfie with UB’s mascot Victor E. Bull at a basketball game. Alnutt hopes to continue the success of UB Athletics he inherited when taking the job.

SPORTS

Mark Alnutt Q&A

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | May 9, 2019

Q: How has your first year been while being away from your family back in Memphis?

Tyree Jackson drops back to throw at the 2018 Mid-American Conference Championship Game. Jackson’s pro day was modeled after Bills quarterback Josh Allen.

SPORTS

Down I-90

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | May 5, 2019

Tyree Jackson knew he wanted to be an NFL quarterback. That’s why he direct messaged quarterback coach Jordan Palmer on Instagram last July to take the next step in his football career.

Alysaa Cuevas, Lace Smith, Ally Power, Alissa Karjel and Catrell Robertson stand with members of the UB softball coaching staff and administrators following the end of their doubleheader on Saturday.

SPORTS

Softball celebrates its seniors

By NATHANIEL MENDELSON | May 5, 2019

Saturday marked the end of softball’s season and the end of the careers of five seniors: Ally Power, Alissa Karjel, Catrell Robertson, Lace Smith and Alyssa Cuevas. Buffalo finished its first season with Mike Ruechel as head coach with a record of 10-32-1 overall and 6-10-1 in Mid-American Conference play.