New coach, new system, new quarterback, new era for UB Football. The savior, Turner Gill, has gone on to greener pastures in Kansas. Jeff Quinn is now the man that needs to replace the man. He brings with him new philosophy and a more intense approach than predecessor Gill.
Quinn has big shoes to fill. Turner Gill basically invented football at the University at Buffalo. They were nothing before him, hopefully they are something after him. Gill took the program to new heights winning the MAC and coaching in the first ever bowl game for the program. Quinn will have to prove the doubters wrong as the team was picked to finish 6th in the East in the preseason poll.
The former Cincinnati offensive coordinator brings with him the spread offense which thrived at UC under Brian Kelly and Quinn. Gone is Zach Maynard (transfered to Cal), Naaman Roosevlt (undrafted playing for the Bills) tight end Brett Hamlin and James Starks (DNP in 2009, drafted by Packers). Basically the offense is starting from scratch.
Sophomore Jerry Davis w
ill be slinging the ball. The California kid has only 15 career passing attempts and zero starts. The dude is green and will be learning on the run all season.“I love [the spread offense],” Davis said. “It’s definitely an offense built for a quarterback. Being a quarterback, you want to throw the ball around. It’s been very fun to throw to all these athletes in the open field so far.” He beat out frosh Alex Dennison to assume command of the QB position.One spot of relative strength and a crowd at the top is running back. Surprisingly, freshman and Roscoe Parrish cousin, Branden Oliver, usurped everyone to take the top spot on the depth chart. The experiences crowd beneath him includes senior Brandon Thermilus, son of Alonzo Highsmith, 2009 break out Ike Nduka also a senior and true sophomore Jeffvon Gill who burned his redshirt last year after the injury to Starks.
The area of greatest strength heading into the season is Davonte Shannon and the defense. The secondary is beyond solid with senior stud Shannon and Domonic Cook patrolling the outfield. Don't sleep on Akobundu and Steven Means in the new 3-4 defense either.
It's tough to predict exactly how this season is going to shake out. Will Quinn and co be able to succeed with such a young team, no head coaching experience and a revamped offense and defense? Not likely but it is still the MAC, anything is possible. Look for the team to be competitive and build towards a strong 2011 campaign.
Final Record:
5-7
Temple seems to be the team to beat in the MAC. Another winning season and Al Golden probably will be off to greener pastures.
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