2020 Buffalo Bulls football team

Last updated

2020 Buffalo Bulls football
Buffalo Bulls logo.svg
Camellia Bowl champion
MAC East Division champion
Camellia Bowl, W 17–10 vs. Marshall
Conference Mid-American Conference
DivisionEast Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 25
APNo. 25
Record6–1 (5–0 MAC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki (6th season)
Co-offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski (4th season)
Offensive scheme Multiple pro-style
Defensive coordinatorBrian Borland (6th season)
Co-defensive coordinatorChris Simpson (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium University at Buffalo Stadium
Uniform
Buffalo bullfs football unif.png
Seasons
  2019
2021  
2020 Mid-American Conference football standings
ConfOverall
Team W L  W L 
East Division
No. 25 Buffalo xy  5 0   6 1  
Kent State  3 1   3 1  
Ohio  2 1   2 1  
Miami (OH)  2 1   2 1  
Akron  1 5   1 5  
Bowling Green  0 5   0 5  
West Division
No. 23 Ball State xy$  5 1   7 1  
Western Michigan  4 2   4 2  
Toledo  4 2   4 2  
Central Michigan  3 3   3 3  
Eastern Michigan  2 4   2 4  
Northern Illinois  0 6   0 6  
Championship: Ball State 38, Buffalo 28
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • y Championship game participant
  • Note: Due to COVID-19, the Mid-American suspended the season on August 8, but later decided to begin play on November 4. [1]
Rankings from AP Poll.

The 2020 Buffalo Bulls football team represented the University at Buffalo in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulls were led by sixth-year head coach Lance Leipold and played their home games at the University at Buffalo Stadium as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. In a limited season, which was initially canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being reinstated, the Bulls finished the season 6–1, 5–0 in MAC play to win the East Division. They lost to Ball State in the MAC Championship. They received an invite to the Camellia Bowl where they defeated Marshall.

Contents

Following the season, Leipold left the team to coach at Kansas on April 30, 2021. [2] A few days later, the school named Michigan co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist the team's new head coach. [3]

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

AwardPlayerPositionYear
Chuck Bednarik Award [4] Taylor RigginsDESR
Doak Walker Award [5] Kevin Marks Jr.RBJR
Jaret Patterson RBJR
Jim Thorpe Award [6] Tyrone HillSSR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy [7] Malcolm Koonce DESR
Taylor RigginsDESR
Outland Trophy [8] Kayode Awosika OLSR
Wuerffel Trophy [9] Max MichelDESO
Maxwell Award [10] Jaret PattersonRBJR
East Division
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1Ohio144 (24)
2Miami107
3Buffalo100
4Kent State62
5Akron54
6Bowling Green37

Season recap

The Bulls played their first game of 2020 against Northern Illinois in Dekalb, Illinois, on November 4 after a delayed start to the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jaret Patterson ran for 137 yards including for two touchdowns. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease recorded his first two touchdowns of the season with a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown to Antonio Nunn. The Buffalo defense scored 3 touchdowns on their own with 2 fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns by Tim Terry Jr. and Isaiah King and an interception returned for a touchdown by Kadofi Wright en route to the Bulls 49–30 win. [11]

The Bulls home opener at UB Stadium occurred six days later against the Miami Redhawks. Kevin Marks Jr. ran for 109 yards compared to Jaret Patterson's 73, but with Patterson rushing for 2 touchdowns. Kyle Vantrease completed 4 touchdown passes as Buffalo defeated Miami 42–10. Buffalo received 1 vote in week 12's AP Poll, their first vote received in the poll of the season. [12]

A week later Buffalo went back on the road traveling to Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio, to take on the Bowling Green Falcons. Jaret Patterson erupted for 301 yards while scoring 4 touchdowns on 31 carries with fellow Buffalo running back Kevin Marks Jr. and quarterback Kyle Vantrease also recording a rushing touchdown each in Buffalo's 42–17 win in Bowling Green. Buffalo received 3 votes in week 13's AP Poll. [13]

The Bulls played their first Saturday game of the season on November 28 against Kent State at UB Stadium. Jaret Patterson rushed for over 400 yards, coming within striking distance of breaking the FBS record for most yards rushed for in a game. He scored 8 touchdowns which tied the record for most FBS touchdowns by one player in a single game. Patterson's massive performance was done on only 36 carries throughout the game, with teammate Kevin Marks Jr. also getting 16 carries and recording 2 rushing touchdowns on his own. Patterson's impressive performance against Kent State earned him national attention and calls for him to be added to the watchlist for the Heisman Trophy. Buffalo defeated Kent State 70–41 and received 56 votes in week 14's AP Poll, coming within striking distance of a national ranking. [14]

The following week, Buffalo was slated to play the Ohio Bobcats, but because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the Ohio football team, the game was canceled. Nevertheless, Buffalo increased their share of the vote in the AP Poll to 145, good for a No. 24 ranking in the poll. This was the first national ranking in Buffalo football program history. [15]

Buffalo finished off their regular season on December 12 against Akron at UB Stadium. Jaret Patterson was sparsely used against Akron, receiving the entire second half of the game off. Patterson and Marks Jr. each recorded 2 rushing touchdowns each as Buffalo defeated Akron 56–7 and finished the regular season undefeated at 5–0. The Bulls once again increased their share of the vote in the AP Poll up to 186, good to jump up a position in the poll to No. 23. [16]

Roster

2020 Buffalo Bulls football team roster
PlayersCoaches
Offense
Pos.#NameClass
WR 1Antonio NunnSr
WR 3Daniel LeeSr
QB 4Trevor Bycznski Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 5Kevin MarksJr
QB 6Casey CaseFr
QB 7Kyle Vantrease Redshirt.svg  Jr
RB 8 Dylan McDuffie Redshirt.svg  So
QB 9Dominic JohnsonSr
QB 10Matt Myers Redshirt.svg  So
QB 12Aaron Chase Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 14Jelani Foster Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 16Lemaro Smith Jr.So
WR 17Bernard PorterSo
WR 18Trevor Wilson Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 19Javien Cuff Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 23Ron Cook Jr.So
RB 25Tajay Ahmed Redshirt.svg  Fr
RB 26 Jaret Patterson Jr
RB 28Caron RobinsonFr
RB 30Ryan Razzano Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 34Trevor BorlandFr
TE 36Cole Burniston Redshirt.svg  So
WR 38Jackson Westfall Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 44Jake MolinichSr
TE 47Wyatt Molinich Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 58Alain Schaerer Redshirt.svg  So
OL 59Jake FuzakSr
OL 60Trevor Cahill Redshirt.svg  So
OL 61Dom PolizziSo
OL 62Mike Novitsky Redshirt.svg  So
OL 63Austin KunickSr
OL 66Jacob GallJr
OL 69Gabe WallaceSo
OL 70Nick Zikuski Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 72Deondre DoironFr
OL 73 Kayode Awosika Sr
OL 74Bence PolgarSo
OL 76Anthony Laudicina Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 77Caelan Shepard Redshirt.svg  Fr
OL 78Tyler DotyFr
OL 79Jack KlenkSr
TE 80Tyler Stephens Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 81Mike Dempsey Redshirt.svg  Fr
WR 82Tyree O'NeillJr
WR 83Marlyn Johnson Redshirt.svg  Fr
TE 85Julien BourassaJr
WR 86Carlton ToddSr
WR 87Jovany RuizSr
WR 88Dajuan HudsonSr
TE 89Zac LefebvreSr
Defense
Pos.#NameClass
CB 3Aapri Washington Redshirt.svg  Jr
CB 4Isaiah KingJr
LB 5Tim Terry Jr. Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 6Max MichelSo
S 8Marcus Fuqua Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 10Trey Franklin Redshirt.svg  Fr
CB 11Wankeith Akin Jr.Jr
LB 13Sean ColganSr
CB 15Ali AbbasSr
CB 17Jahkeel Reef Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 18Roy BakerSr
CB 19Shemar HayesJr
LB 20James PattersonJr
LB 21Justin Mulbah Redshirt.svg  Sr
CB 22Mark Davis Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 24Corey Gross Jr. Redshirt.svg  So
LB 25Caleb Tate Redshirt.svg  Fr
S 27E. J. BrownSr
CB 29Larry Robbins Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 30Rich MillerSo
LB 31Kadofi WrightSr
S 32Owen Chambers Redshirt.svg  So
S 33Tyrone HillSr
LB 35Logic HudgensFr
CB 39Dylan Powell Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 43Jason McCarthyFr
S 45Evan Gantley Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 48Fabian Weitz Redshirt.svg  So
DE 49Taylor RigginsSr
DE 50 Malcolm Koonce Sr
DE 51Zander Heim Redshirt.svg  Jr
LB 52Mike McGoeyFr
DE 53C. J. Bazile Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 54DeShondrick FoxworthSr
DE 55Kyler Laing Redshirt.svg  Fr
LB 56Jake Zimmer Redshirt.svg  So
DT 91Eddie WilsonJr
DT 92Ronald McGeeJr
DE 94Eric Black Redshirt.svg  Jr
DT 95Tyrece Woods Jr.So
DE 96Jordan Avissey Redshirt.svg  Fr
DT 98Georell Kidd Redshirt.svg  Fr
DE 99Frendy Darelus Redshirt.svg  Jr
Special teams
Pos.#NameClass
K,P 14Jackson BaltarSo
K 16Alex McNultySo
LS 37Evan DavisSo
P 40Evan Finegan Redshirt.svg  Jr
LS 57Jeremiah RiordanSr
K 95Garrett Selover Redshirt.svg  Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches
  • Rob Ianello (Associate head coach / recruiting coordinator / wide receivers)
  • Brian Borland (defensive coordinator / cornerbacks)
  • Andy Kotelnicki (offensive coordinator / running backs)
  • Scott Fuchs (offensive line)
  • Alan Hensell (tight ends)
  • Chris Simpson (Linebackers / defensive run game coordinator)
  • Brad McCaslin (defensive tackles)
  • Jim Zebrowski (Quarterbacks / Co-offensive coordinator / passing game coordinator)
  • Taiwo Onatolu (defensive ends / special teams coordinator)
  • Jeff Burrow (safeties)
  • Matt Gildersleeve (head strength and conditioning coach)
  • Ryan Wilson (graduate assistant)
  • Daniel Allen (graduate assistant)
  • James Daniels (graduate assistant)
  • Isaac Reed (graduate assistant)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  • Cruz Roja.svg Injured
  • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

Roster
Last update: April 24, 2019

Schedule

Buffalo originally had a game scheduled against Ohio State, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [17] Buffalo played a regular season consisting of games against MAC teams only.

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendanceSource
November 47:00 p.m.at Northern Illinois ESPN2 W 49–30449
November 108:00 p.m. Miami (OH) ESPN W 42–100
November 177:00 p.m.at Bowling Green CBSSN W 42–171,500
November 2812:00 p.m. Kent State
  • UB Stadium
  • Buffalo, NY
CBSSNW 70–41
December 53:30 p.m.at Ohio CBSSNNo contest [18]
December 122:30 p.m. Akron No. 24
  • UB Stadium
  • Buffalo, NY
CBSSNW 56–7
December 187:30 p.m.vs. Ball State No. 23ESPNL 28–380
December 252:30 p.m.vs. Marshall * ESPN W 17–100

[19]

    Rankings

    In week 12, Buffalo received votes in the AP Poll for the first time since the 2018 season. They were nationally ranked for the first time in program history when the week 15 poll was released, ranked at No.24 in the AP Poll. The following week they were raised to No. 23.

    Ranking movements
    Legend:██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
    — = Not ranked. RV = Received votes.
    Week
    PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
    AP RVRV2423RV25
    Coaches RVRVRV25
    CFP Not releasedNot released

    After the season

    NFL draft

    The following Bull was selected in the National Football League draft following the season. [20]

    RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL club
    379 Malcolm Koonce Defensive end Las Vegas Raiders

    Related Research Articles

    The South Florida Bulls football team represents the University of South Florida. The Bulls began playing in 1997 and compete in the American Athletic Conference of the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The team plays its home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

    The 2007 South Florida Bulls football team represented the University of South Florida (USF) in the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Their head coach was Jim Leavitt; they played all of their home games at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The 2007 college football season was the 11th season overall for the Bulls and their third season in the Big East Conference.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Bulls football</span> Football team for the State University of New York at Buffalo

    The Buffalo Bulls football program is the intercollegiate American football team for the University at Buffalo located in the U.S. state of New York. The team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Football Bowl Subdivision and is a member of the Mid-American Conference. Buffalo's first football team was fielded in 1894. The team plays its home games at the 25,000+ seat UB Stadium on University at Buffalo's north campus in Amherst, New York. The Bulls are coached by Maurice Linguist.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">1980 Ohio State Buckeyes football team</span> American college football season

    The 1980 Ohio State Buckeyes football team was an American football team that represented Ohio State University during the 1980 Big Ten Conference football season. In their second season under head coach Earle Bruce, the Buckeyes began the season ranked No. 1 in the pre-season AP Poll. They finished in a tie for second place in the Big Ten Conference, compiled a 9–3, lost to Penn State in the 1980 Fiesta Bowl, were ranked No. 15 in the final AP Poll, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 387 to 181. The team played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.

    Lance Leipold is an American football coach who is the head coach at the University of Kansas. He has coached at Kansas since 2021. Leipold previously served as the head coach at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater (UWW) and University at Buffalo. During his tenure at UWW, the Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks won the NCAA Division III Football Championship in 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014 and were runners-up in 2008. During his time at Wisconsin-Whitewater, Leipold led the Warhawks to 5 undefeated seasons.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Ohio State Buckeyes football team</span> American college football season

    The 2013 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented Ohio State University in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Buckeye's 124th overall, the 101st as a member of the Big Ten Conference, and the third as a member of the Big Ten Leaders Division. The team was led by Urban Meyer, in his second year as head coach, and played its home games at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The Buckeyes finished the regular season with an undefeated record for the second consecutive year, as well as Big Ten Leaders Division champions for the second consecutive year. They finished the season with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, following losses to Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Game and to Clemson in the Orange Bowl.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Buffalo Bulls football statistical leaders</span>

    The Buffalo Bulls football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Buffalo Bulls football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, receiving, total offense, defensive stats, and kicking. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. The Bulls represent the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York (UB) in the Mid-American Conference of NCAA Division I FBS.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 Western Michigan Broncos football team</span> American college football season

    The 2016 Western Michigan Broncos football team represented Western Michigan University (WMU) in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by fourth-year head coach P. J. Fleck and played their home games at Waldo Stadium as a member of the West Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). The Broncos completed their regular season undefeated and won the MAC West Division title. The Broncos finished conference play defeating the Ohio Bobcats 29–23 in the 2016 MAC Championship Game, winning the school's first MAC championship title since 1988. WMU received an invitation to the 2017 Cotton Bowl as the highest rated Group of Five team in the College Football Playoff (CFP). It was the first major-bowl appearance in school history. The Broncos also won 10 games in a season for the first time in their 111-year football history. They lost to the No. 8 Wisconsin Badgers in the New Years Six bowl game, 24–16.

    The 2018 Mid-American Conference football season will be the 73rd season for the Mid-American Conference (MAC). and is part of the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The season will begin on August 30 and will end on November 24. The entire schedule was released on February 22. The MAC Championship Game will be held on November 30, 2018.

    The 2019 Bahamas Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 20, 2019, with kickoff at 2:00 p.m. EST on ESPN. It was the 6th edition of the Bahamas Bowl, and the first of the 2019–20 bowl games concluding the 2019 FBS football season. Sponsored by the Chicago suburb of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, the game was officially known as the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. Behind 173 rushing yards from Bulls running back Jaret Patterson, Buffalo defeated Charlotte, 31–9.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaret Patterson</span> American football player (born 1998)

    Jaret Patterson is an American football running back for the Washington Commanders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Buffalo before signing with the Washington Commanders, then known as the Washington Football Team, as an undrafted free agent in 2021. Alongside Howard Griffith, Patterson holds the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision record for most rushing touchdowns in a single game with eight.

    The 2020 Camellia Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 25, 2020, at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama, with kickoff at 2:30 p.m. EST on ESPN. It was the seventh edition of the Camellia Bowl, and was one of the 2020–21 bowl games concluding the 2020 FBS football season. Buffalo defeated Marshall, 17–10, to claim their second bowl victory in school history.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Kansas Jayhawks football team</span> American college football season

    The 2021 Kansas Jayhawks football team represented the University of Kansas in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. It was the Jayhawks 132nd season. They were members of the Big 12 Conference. They played their home games at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. They were coached by Lance Leipold in his first year as head coach.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 Mid-American Conference football season</span> Sports season

    The 2021 Mid-American Conference football season was the 76th season for the Mid-American Conference (MAC), as part of the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season.

    Dylan McDuffie is an American football running back for the Kansas Jayhawks of the Big 12 Conference. In 2021, he was named to the All-MAC Second Team by Pro Football Network and All-MAC Third Team by the MAC Coaches and Pro Football Focus after rushing for over 1,000 yards and scoring 12 total touchdowns for the Bulls. In high school, he earned All-Western New York honors as both a running back (2016) and linebacker (2017), and was selected as a finalist for the 2016 Connolly Cup. In 2022, he entered his name into the transfer portal twice before deciding to transfer officially in April. He played the 2022-23 season for Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football, starting the season in a committee situation before eventually falling out the rotation completely. After the season he decided to transfer to use his last year of eligibility as a grad transfer.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Ohio Bobcats football team</span> American college football season

    The 2022 Ohio Bobcats football team represented Ohio University as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by second-year head coach Tim Albin and played their home games at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio. They finished the season 10–4 and 7–1 in the MAC and won the MAC East for the first time since 2016. They lost to Toledo in the MAC Championship Game. Ohio defeated Wyoming in the Arizona Bowl

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalon Daniels</span> American football player (born 2002)

    Jalon Daniels is an American football quarterback at the University of Kansas. He has been the starting quarterback for the Jayhawks since the end of the 2021 season.

    Kyle Vantrease is an American football quarterback.

    The 2022 Camellia Bowl was a college football bowl game played on December 27, 2022, at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. The ninth annual Camellia Bowl, the game featured the Georgia Southern Eagles from the Sun Belt Conference and the Buffalo Bulls from the Mid-American Conference. The game began at 11:02 a.m. CST and was aired on ESPN. It was one of the 2022–23 bowl games concluding the 2022 FBS football season. Buffalo defeated Georgia Southern, 23–21, to claim their third consecutive bowl victory.

    <span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Ohio Bobcats football team</span> American college football season

    The 2023 Ohio Bobcats football team represented Ohio University as a member of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They were led by third-year head coach Tim Albin and played their home games at Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio.

    References

    1. Wells, Adam (September 25, 2020). "MAC Approves 6-Game College Football Schedule Beginning November 4". Bleacher Report. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
    2. "Kansas hires Buffalo's Leipold to replace Miles". ESPN.com. April 30, 2021. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
    3. "Buffalo hires Michigan co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist as coach to replace Lance Leipold". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
    4. "2020 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List". July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    5. "2019 finalist Chuba Hubbard, 2018 finalist Travis Etienne two of the 76 Doak Walker Award watch listers". July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    6. "The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and Jim Thorpe Association are proud to reveal The Paycom Jim Thorpe Award 2020 Preseason Watch List". July 20, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    7. "2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List Unveiled". July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    8. "2020 Outland Trophy Watch List Unveiled". July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    9. "The Wuerffel Trophy 2020 Watch List (Non AP)". July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    10. "2020 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
    11. "Bulls vs Huskies". November 4, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    12. "Bulls vs Redhawks". November 10, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    13. "Bulls vs Falcons". November 17, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    14. "Bulls vs Golden Flashes". November 28, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    15. "Bulls vs Bobcats". December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    16. "Bulls vs Zips". December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    17. Myerberg, Paul. "Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
    18. "UB at Ohio football game canceled; game declared a no contest". December 4, 2020.
    19. "2020 Buffalo Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
    20. "2017 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 31, 2023.