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2009 Buffalo Football Preview

Buffalo's Offense:

Buffalo Bulls football 2009

The big question is who would replace QB Drew Willy after a phenomenal season and career at UB. Zach Maynard has some big shoes to fill but sophomore south-paw did see action in eight games last season and is a true dual-threat QB. James Starks enters the season as the leagues top RB after producing 1,333 yards and 16 TDs in 2008. Five of Buffalo’s six top receivers will return in 2009 led by Naaman Roosevelt who had 104 catches for 1,402 yards and 13 touchdowns. He is a game changing player. The offensive line will need some attention though as three starters graduated. Those three players collectively had 96 career starts. This year’s unit is led by Andrew West and Peter Bittmer.

Buffalo's Defense:

Anel Montanez is the lone returning starter as UB must replace three players along the defensive front. Third-team All-MAC Justin Winters leads the LB unit. He led the Bulls in total tackles a season ago at 125 tackles. The secondary is solid and experienced with two seniors and juniors. SS Davonte Shannon who had 121 tackles and FS Mike Newton who had 112 stops. Both are candidates for not only all conference honors, but potential All-American honors as well.

UB's Intangibles:

Both kicking specialists return for Buffalo. The place-kicker is A.J. Principe who kicked the winning field goal in the fourth overtime at Akron and Australian punter Peter Fardon averaged 39.1 yards per punt a season ago. The Bulls know they will be the hunted in 2009 and also prove that their 2008 campaign was not a one-hit wonder. UB receives no mercy in the MAC portion of their schedule as they drew Central and Western Michigan again for the second year in a row.

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Buffalo's 2009 Outlook:

Turner Gill and his UB Bulls were the toast of the MAC last year winning their first MAC title ever and in fact posting their first winning season since joining the IA ranks in 1999. Buffalo was an amazing +19 in turnover ration last season which ranked 3 rd nationally. Being fortunate enough to be on the positive side of those turnovers helped the Bulls win several close games last season; Temple (30-28), Army (27-24 OT), Akron (43-40 4OTs), and BGSU (40-34 2 OTs). Those close calls may not happen this year with the graduation of Willy. Still, this is a solid team that will once again not only contend but possible return to the MAC Championship Game. No matter what, look for this to be Turner Gill’s last season coaching near Niagara Falls.

The Big Game for Buffalo in 2009:

September 26 at Temple. After winning last season’s game on a 35-yard Hail Mary to end the game, the Owls will be looking to avenge that heart-braking loss.

2008 NATIONAL RANKINGS
OFFENSE	PER GAME	NATIONAL RANK
Scoring	30.3	34
Rushing	132.7	75
Passing	237.6	43
Total Offense	370.3	54
DEFENSE	PER GAME	NATIONAL RANK
Scoring	28.2	77
Rushing	173	92
Passing	235.2	90
Total Defense	408.2	94

2009 Schedule & Predictions
*Date*	*Opp.*	*W / L*
9/5	at UTEP	L
9/12	Pitt	W
9/19	at UCF	W
9/26	at Temple	L
10/3	Central Michigan	L
10/10	Gardner Webb	W
10/17	Akron	W
10/24	at Western Michigan	L
11/3	BGSU	W
11/10	Ohio	W
11/18	at Miami	W
11/27	at Kent State	L
MAC Record		4-4
Overall Record		7-5

Team Article by Evan Meyer of Sports Vault - Especially for VanDelaySports.com
Predictions, Stats, Key Game & Outlook by Nick Gerogosian of VanDelaySports.com