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.
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 coordinator Brian Borland (6th season)
Co-defensive coordinatorChris Simpson (1st season)
Base defense 4–3
Captains
Home stadium University at Buffalo Stadium
Uniform
Buffalo bullfs football unif.png
Seasons
  2019
2021  
2020 Mid-American Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
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 as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by Lance Leipold in his sixth and final year as head coach in a limited season, which was initially canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being reinstated, the Bulls compiled an overall record of 6–1 with a mark of 5–0 in conference play, winning the MAC's East Division title. Buffalo advanced to the MAC Championship Game, where the Bulls lost to Ball State. They concluded the season with a win over Marshall in the Camellia Bowl. The team played home games at University at Buffalo Stadium in Amherst, New York.

Contents

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

Schedule

Buffalo originally had a game scheduled against Ohio State, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [4] Buffalo played a regular season consisting of games against only MAC teams.

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
  • University at Buffalo Stadium
  • Buffalo, NY
CBSSNW 70–41
December 53:30 p.m.at Ohio CBSSNCancelled [5]
December 122:30 p.m. Akron No. 24
  • University at Buffalo 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 17–102,512

[6] [7] [8]

    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

    Preseason

    Award watch lists

    Listed in the order that they were released

    AwardPlayerPositionYear
    Chuck Bednarik Award [9] Taylor RigginsDESR
    Doak Walker Award [10] Kevin Marks Jr.RBJR
    Jaret Patterson RBJR
    Jim Thorpe Award [11] Tyrone HillSSR
    Bronko Nagurski Trophy [12] Malcolm Koonce DESR
    Taylor RigginsDESR
    Outland Trophy [13] Kayode Awosika OLSR
    Wuerffel Trophy [14] Max MichelDESO
    Maxwell Award [15] Jaret PattersonRBJR

    Season summary

    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. [16]

    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. [17]

    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. [18]

    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. [19]

    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. [20]

    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. [21]

    Roster

    2020 Buffalo Bulls football team roster
    PlayersCoaches
    Offense
    Pos.#NameClass
    WR 1Antonio NunnSr
    RB 2Ron Cook Jr.So
    WR 3Daniel LeeSr
    QB 4Trevor Bycznski Redshirt.svg  Fr
    RB 5Kevin MarksJr
    QB 6Casey CaseFr
    QB 7 Kyle 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 13Carlton ToddSr
    WR 17Bernard PorterSo
    WR 18Trevor Wilson Redshirt.svg  Fr
    WR 19Javien Cuff Redshirt.svg  Fr
    RB 21Kolbe BurrellFr
    RB 25Tajay AhmedSo
    RB 26 Jaret Patterson Jr
    RB 28Caron RobinsonFr
    RB 30Ryan Razzano Redshirt.svg  Fr
    TE 34Trevor BorlandFr
    TE 36Cole Burniston Redshirt.svg  So
    RB 37Jailen NiasFr
    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 62 Mike Novitsky Redshirt.svg  So
    OL 63A. J. UrbaniakFr
    OL 64Mike Dempsey Redshirt.svg  Fr
    OL 65Michael Ford Jr.Fr
    OL 66Jacob GallJr
    OL 68Donovan CorneliusFr
    OL 69Gabe WallaceSo
    OL 70Nick Zikuski Redshirt.svg  Fr
    OL 71Ray Thomas-IshmanGS
    OL 72Deondre DoironFr
    OL 73 Kayode Awosika Sr
    OL 74Bence Polgar Redshirt.svg  Fr
    OL 75Sam ToddFr
    OL 76Anthony Laudicina Redshirt.svg  Fr
    OL 77Caelan Shepard Redshirt.svg  Fr
    OL 78Tyler DotyFr
    OL 79Jack KlenkSr
    TE 80Tyler Stephens Redshirt.svg  Fr
    WR 82Tyree O'NeillJr
    WR 83Marlyn Johnson Redshirt.svg  Fr
    WR 84Jackson Westfall Redshirt.svg  Fr
    WR 86Tahliq BattleFr
    WR 87Jovany RuizSr
    WR 88Dajuan HudsonSr
    TE 89Zac LefebvreSr
    Defense
    Pos.#NameClass
    DT 0Eddie WilsonJr
    CB 3Aapri Washington Redshirt.svg  Jr
    CB 4Isaiah KingJr
    LB 5Tim Terry Jr. Redshirt.svg  Jr
    LB 6Max MichelSo
    S 7E. J. BrownSr
    S 10Marcus Fuqua Redshirt.svg  Fr
    CB 11Wankeith Akin Jr.Jr
    LB 12Lonnie RiceFr
    LB 13Sean ColganSr
    CB 15Ali AbbasSr
    CB 17Jahkeel Reef Redshirt.svg  Fr
    LB 18Roy BakerSr
    CB 19Shemar HayesJr
    LB 20James PattersonJr
    CB 22Mark Davis Redshirt.svg  Fr
    LB 23Keith WoetzelGS
    S 24Corey Gross Jr. Redshirt.svg  So
    LB 25Caleb Tate Redshirt.svg  Fr
    LB 27Tyree ThompsonGS
    S 28Jalen McNairFr
    CB 29Larry Robbins Redshirt.svg  Fr
    LB 30Rich MillerSo
    LB 31Kadofi WrightSr
    S 32Owen Chambers Redshirt.svg  So
    S 33Tyrone HillSr
    LB 35Logic HudgensFr
    DE 36Nick HunterJr
    DE 38Bryce Johnson-MaithFr
    CB 39Dylan Powell Redshirt.svg  Jr
    LB 42Brendan PyneGS
    LB 43Jason McCarthyFr
    S 45Evan Gantley Redshirt.svg  Jr
    LB 47Caleb ArenaFr
    DE 49Taylor RigginsSr
    DE 50 Malcolm Koonce Sr
    DE 51Zander Heim Redshirt.svg  Jr
    LB 52 Shaun Dolac Fr
    DE 53C. J. Bazile Redshirt.svg  Fr
    DE 55Kyler Laing Redshirt.svg  Fr
    LB 56Jake Zimmer Redshirt.svg  So
    DL 61Dom Polizzi Redshirt.svg  Fr
    DT 90George WoloFr
    DE 91Mason HooseJr
    DT 93Michael TettehFr
    DE 94Eric Black Redshirt.svg  Jr
    DT 95Tyrece Woods Jr.So
    DE 96Jordan Avissey Redshirt.svg  Fr
    DT 99Ronald McGeeJr
    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
    P 85James Hook Redshirt.svg  Fr
    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
    • Injury icon 2.svg Injured
    • Redshirt.svg Redshirt

    Roster
    Last update: April 24, 2019

    After the season

    NFL draft

    The following Bull was selected in the 2021 NFL draft following the season.

    RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL club
    379 Malcolm Koonce Defensive end Las Vegas Raiders

    [22]

    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. 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.
    5. "UB at Ohio football game canceled; game declared a no contest". December 4, 2020.
    6. "Buffalo Bulls Schedule 2020". ESPN . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
    7. "2020 Buffalo Bulls Schedule and Results". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference . Retrieved September 5, 2025.
    8. "2020 Football Schedule". University at Buffalo Bulls Athletics. Retrieved September 5, 2025.
    9. "2020 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List". July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    10. "2019 finalist Chuba Hubbard, 2018 finalist Travis Etienne two of the 76 Doak Walker Award watch listers". July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    11. "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.
    12. "2020 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List Unveiled". July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    13. "2020 Outland Trophy Watch List Unveiled". July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    14. "The Wuerffel Trophy 2020 Watch List (Non AP)". July 23, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
    15. "2020 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 25, 2020.
    16. "Bulls vs Huskies". November 4, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    17. "Bulls vs Redhawks". November 10, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    18. "Bulls vs Falcons". November 17, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    19. "Bulls vs Golden Flashes". November 28, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    20. "Bulls vs Bobcats". December 5, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    21. "Bulls vs Zips". December 12, 2020. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
    22. "2017 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 31, 2023.