Bull Run

College Football Relegation In Action: 2009

2012-05-17T23:02:35Z

College Football Relegation In Action: 2009

Big Ten

Membership: Buffalo, Central Michigan, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Notre Dame*, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Wisconsin
Champion: Ohio State
Demoted to MAC: Buffalo

Like Rice, Buffalo took a step backwards in 2009. And since they were, like 2005 Akron, surprise MAC winners, they probably knew in advance that their Tier 1 stay was not going to last very long. Take the money and run!

Where Are We? #1 & #2: The Track and the Track Record

2012-05-16T19:23:00Z

Where are we?

It's a question I think every Bull is asking now that we have a new AD.

To answer this question, I looked at 28 schools.*

1ST ISSUE: Track around Stadium

By my count 6 teams have a track around their stadium. Two have concrete plans to remove the track.

Track Stadium Schools breakdown into 3 categories.

1) No Track Around Our Basketball Court

Members:

Duke
Kansas

2) Inexplicably Successful Schools of the Pacific Northwest

Members:

Boise State (Plan to remove)
Nevada
Washington (has played their last game with a Track)

3) MAC Schools Stuck In the Past:

Members:

Eastern Michigan
Buffalo

Priority - 10 - The track has to go, it just has to.
Importance - 2 - The track may keep some (like me) away from UB Stadium, however the true fans will watch the Bulls anywhere. Moreover, the track has no impact** on the play of the football athletes, and we all know if we win, people would watch the Bulls play anywhere.

**I did however once witness a starting Wide Receiver attempting a fade route to the back of the end zone...his momentum carried him off the field he landed on the hard track and injured his shoulder.

2ND ISSUE: Recent track record.

Looking at our sample of competitors, who are the winners in the past 5 seasons? The five year period generously removes our 1 win seasons of the early 2000's, and includes all of our Turner Gill glory years.

Overall 28 of the 33 teams sampled played FBS for the last 5 years.
UB is 21st out of those teams with a 23-39 record 37.1%.

Out of the 16 teams new to FBS,
UB is 12th.

Out of the 12 MAC schools + Temple
UB is 9th.

The Average win loss record for 5 years amongst these teams is 29-33, so we are only about 1 win a year away from being middle of the pack. The gold standards are Boise and Nevada. Boise had a 90.91% winning percentage, Nevada's a respectable 62.12%.

So it's no surprise we aren't winning, I'm kinda shocked we're so low on the list, but it makes sense.

Issues 1 & 2 are not groundbreaking...we know we aren't winning enough and I'm sure we know a track around a football field is a bad idea. Stay tuned for more.

*Teams in the Sample

1) Buffalo,

Our 12 current MAC opponents, as well as 14) Temple and 15) Marshall.

I also looked at teams that started playing FBS ball in the 90's
16) South Florida 2001
17) Florida International 2005
18) Georgia State 2013
19) UCF 1996
20) Mid Tennessee 1999
21) UConn 2000
22) UTSA 2012
23) FAU 2005
24) UAB 1996
25) Texas State 2012
26) South Alabama 2012
27) Idaho 1996
28) Nevada 1992
29) Boise State 1996
30) Troy 2002
31) Louisiana-Monroe 1994
32) Arkansas State 1992
33) Western Kentucky 2009

What kid of budget will Director White have at Buffalo?

2012-05-16T14:03:30Z

When Director Danny White takes over Buffalo Athletics later this summer he will inherit one of the large budgets in the MAC, yet its a budget that is barely half of what he was used to working with at Mississippi.

The Rebels sported one of the smaller budgets in the SEC, but even with hardly any institutional support (7%) the Reb's spent 49 Million dollars last season. Buffalo, on the other hand, calls on institutional support for nearly 80% of their 26 million dollar budget.

But it's not all bad news, Buffalo is second in MAC in total spending, fourth in ticket sales, and second in licensing revenue. Contrary to popular belief our coaches are pretty well paid usually near the top of conference.

Miami of Ohio is the big spender and EMU tops the revenue. Toledo earns a cap tip for using the least amount of institutional support.

Team	Revenue	Expenses	Subsidy	Percent Sub
Miami Ohio	$26,745,727	$26,975,567	$18,191,078	68.00%
Buffalo	$26,228,030	$26,221,691	$20,823,478	79.40%
Eastern Michigan	$27,717,621	$25,971,066	$22,764,471	82.10%
Western Michigan	$25,627,752	$25,410,420	$18,602,231	72.60%
Akron	$25,583,730	$25,344,459	$19,356,378	75.70%
Central Michigan	$23,500,552	$23,423,660	$16,610,075	70.70%
Ohio	$25,470,296	$22,841,117	$19,576,760	76.90%
Northern Illinois	$24,148,602	$22,793,622	$16,729,617	69.30%
Kent State	$21,448,821	$20,756,745	$16,717,874	77.90%
Toledo	$19,485,449	$20,673,092	$10,125,436	52.00%
Ball State	$20,483,476	$19,506,118	$14,862,115	72.60%
Bowling Green	$20,157,361	$18,031,088	$12,851,915	63.80%

99 for 99 - #83: Rodriguez to Quatrani Open New Era of UB Football

2012-05-15T07:06:56Z

99 for 99 takes a look at the 99 biggest moments in UB Football history in anticipation of the 99^th Season of UB Football which begins on September 1^st, 2012. These moments are not in any order, however the top 10 moments have been saved for last.

1978-79 - Jim Rodriguez and Gary Quatrani become UB's most explosive duo.

The 1978 season was the first full slate of games for UB football since canceling the program in 1970. Welcoming Buffalo back, were two dynamic playmakers: Quarterback Jim Rodriguez and Wide Receiver Gary Quatrani.

September 23, 1978: Buffalo 35, Brockport 31 - UB gets first win since Halloween 1970.

On the first play from scrimmage Quatrani lined up at tight end. The defense did not take note of this, until Quatrani was already blazing past them. Rodriguez hit Quatrani for a touchdown. Despite the perfect start, it looked like another game would slip away from the Bulls. Down 31-28 late in the 4th quarter, Rodriguez found Quatrani again for a touchdown and UB secured the 35-31 win.

November 14, 1978

Buffalo 25, Coast Guard 29 - Rodriguez and Quatrani set records

In a losing effort Rodriguez completed a UB record 30 passes, 10 to Quatrani who also broke a UB record with 196 receiving yards. Rodriguez also set a UB record, throwing for 417 passing yards. Quatrani’s record stands as the third best output by a receiver in UB history. Rodriquez's 30 completions and 417 passing yards in this game each stand as the fifth best in UB history.

November 11, 1978 Buffalo 12, Alfred 20 - Quatrani Doesn't Cool Off

After starting 0-2, Buffalo got hot and went 3-1. Unfortunately UB cooled off finishing the season with three straight losses, but Quatrani never cooled off. In the season finale, Quatrani caught 12 more balls for 137 yards. A week after setting the yardage record, Quatrani's 12 grabs set the record for receptions in a game, which currently is tied for the third most in a game in UB history.

9/15/79 Buffalo 9, John Carroll 3 - Rodriguez and Quatrani Go Long

Rodriguez and Quatrani continued the fireworks in 1979. In a low scoring game, the duo scored the games only touchdown in record-setting fashion. Rodriguez and Quatrani hooked up for a 89 yard touchdown pass, making it the longest reception in UB history. The record stood for 17 years, and then stood as the second longest pass play for another 15 years; finally knocked down to #3 last year by Chazz Anderson's 90 yard screen pass to Ed Young versus Ohio.

Jim Rodriguez finished his career second all-time in career touchdowns, (now ninth) and first all-time in passing yards (now eighth). Quatrani finished his career second (now ninth) in career 100-yard games (behind teammate Frank Price), third in kick return average (now seventh) and third (now seventh) in average yards per reception.

Golden News for Watt

2012-05-14T16:04:43Z

For those of you who follow the NBA, and the NBA draft, you may have noticed that Mitchell Watt is climbing up the draft boards. He followed up a great season with a standout showing at the Portsmouth Invitational. During the competition Watts name started popping up on several NBA draft sites.

First he was an also ran, then someone who might get picked up after the draft, and most recently he was tagged as the NBA's version of "Mr Irrelevant".

Draft Experss Notes:

DraftExpress: Finding a Niche For: Mitchell Watt
Looking forward, Watt has an intriguing package of tools for a potential role-playing big at the next level, boasting good athleticism, solid size, a potent jumper, ability to finish around the basket, and decent defensive potential. His lack of significant experience against high-level competition, unimpressive rebounding, and the fact that he has just one season of noteworthy production under his belt are all concerns, but a team may find him to be an attractive developmental option late in the draft or in free agency, and one can certainly make the argument he shows more promise than some of the other big men teams have taken flyers on in recent years.

The only consistent 'knock' I see against Watt was the level of his competition. This both ignores the fact that the MAC has some squads who are far better than perceived and that Watt crushed at the Portsmouth Invitational.

Most recently he is being tagged as a possible second round pick by Golden State.

Mitchell Watt has been invited to work out for the Golden State Warriors on May 23rd. Hopefully the first of many.
— UBSportsInfo (@UBsportsinfo) April 30, 2012

Watt is no being projected as a late second round pick by Golden State (52). This may end up the first time ever that I tune into the NBA draft.

Talking Bull: Really Harvey?

2012-05-14T14:44:26Z

I have no words... Why in the hell did he risk any trouble over softball when you know Alabama wants *nothing* to do with you!

Harvey Updyke Ejected From SEC Softball Tournament, Led Away By Police - From Our Editors - SBNation.com
On Friday, world-famous Alabama Crimson Tide fan and tree-poisoner Harvey Updyke was ejected from an SEC softball tournament on the University of Alabama campus. This turn of events was first reported to us by Brian Rice, who was in attendance at the tournament. Updyke was led away by police. You can see photos after the jump

Stop me if you heard this one before

So a Big East team walks into a layers office.....

Pittsburgh sues Big East in hopes of moving exit date up a year - ESPN
PITTSBURGH -- The University of Pittsburgh is going to court in hopes of expediting its exit from the Big East. The school filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County on Friday claiming the Big East has waived its right to enforce a 27-month withdrawal notice and the Panthers should be allowed move to the ACC without further penalty by the 2013-14 conference year

You can't really blame the Panthers. Right now they have a "gentleman's agreement" to leave after this season, the same one that the Syracuse Orange have. Now the commissioner is gone and two football adds appear to be getting cold feet. If Boise has second, third, and then fourth and final thoughts the Big East could very well try to force Pitt and/or Syracuse to stay.

Most of Pitt's reasons for the suit or ironic. They cite the unstable membership (which they and Syracuse created) as a reason they should not be bound by the contract.

Chances are that this never sees a court and the parties negotiate a *written* exit agreement but this is the Big East.... You never really know.

End of a UB Era

UB Rowing Head Coach Rudy Wieler to Retire - Buffalo Athletics
After leading the University at Buffalo rowing program to national prominence and a handful of hardware, head coach Rudy Wieler announced Wednesday evening that he will retire, wrapping up an 11-year reign over a program he helped build from its infancy and a 45-year career in the sport he loves.

For about a decade the Rowing team has been UB's most consistent success. Now when Director White comes on board he will have to replace the man who built it from the ground up.

99 for 99 - #84: Zach Maynard Shows Potential, Youth...

2012-05-14T00:22:03Z

September 12, 2009 - Zack Maynard throws for 400 yards and 4 touchdowns vs Pitt, UB falls 54-27.

In 2008, Buffalo opened up a home and home series with the Pittsburgh Panthers. The Bulls played well but fell 27-16 to the Panthers at Heinz Field. In 2009, Pitt looked to build on a 9 win season, while UB looked to build on their 2008 MAC Championship.

In the first home game since winning the championship, the 1-0 Bulls had the support of the crowd, 21,870 fans showed up, which at the time was the 7th largest home crowd in UB history, now 8th. The success or failure of the team would rest on the shoulders of the new starting Quarterback, Zach Maynard.

Pitt marched down the field for a touchdown on their first possession. One play after Buffalo fumbled the ensuing kickoff, Pitt scored to go up 14-0. Maynard's would not have the luxury of easing into his first home start. Maynard did however have the luxury of multiple offensive weapons. Maynard hit Brett Hamlin twice, (Hamlin finished with 12 catches and 149 yards) Roosevelt once, and got a big run from Brandon Thermilus before delivering a 24 yard strike to Jesse Rack for a touchdown.

The PItt offense showed no signs of slowing down; It would take 20 game minutes before UB's defense finally stopped the Pittsburgh offense, and even then they needed 20 yards of Pitt penalties to force the punt. Down 20 - 7 Maynard would have a chance to get UB into the game, but on the first play, Mario Henry fumbled on the 13. 3 plays later, UB was down 27 - 7.

Down 20, UB started to air it out. Maynard threw his 2nd and 3rd TD passes of the night in the 2nd quarter, both to Roosevelt, one 54 yards and one 67 yards. Roosevelt finished the game with 6 catches, 157 yards receiving and 2 touchdowns.

UB started the second half with the ball down only 14. Turner Gill looked to Maynard's athletic ability to create a spark, but a botched option pitch was returned 50 yards for a Pitt TD and a 40 - 20 lead.

In the 4th, Maynard threw his 4th TD pass to Brandon Thermilus, and UB found itself still in the game, down 13, the defense had held Pitt scoreless in the 2nd half. With 5 minutes left, Pitt was backed up 1st and 15 on their own 15...and Dion Lewis broke free for an 85 yard touchdown run. The nail on the coffin came a minute later as Maynard threw an interception that was returned to the 2. Pitt punched in the TD to finish off the 54 - 27 victory.

The Bulls would go on to lose their next 3 games, and went 2-5 in games decided by a touchdown or less. The team in 2008 that won by dominating the turnover margin, now found themselves losing the ball three an four times a game. However, starting with his 400 yard performance against what would be a 10 win Pitt team, UB nation was sure Maynard had the skill to get UB back to the promised land.

Should UB Pursue the Big East?

2012-05-11T23:40:21Z

The old Big East was a prize for the Buffalo Bulls. It housed our closest geographic rivals, (Pitt, Syracuse), some of our historical (use the word loosely) rivals (Rutgers, UConn), it would increase our basketball profile and would give us access to our alumni base from Ohio down to the Eastern Seaboard.

But then, the Big East lost our geographic rivals. Our "historical rivals" want out. They let in Temple and the rest of the nation. Suddenly the Big East was no longer a nice option; a slow build in the MAC seemed more idea, although after 12 years of MAC play, we have yet to taste consistent success in most of our sports, especially Football and Basketball.

But things may be changing, as conference alignment tends to do. Louisville and UConn want out, badly. Boise and San Diego State are reconsidering the extra travel now that AQ status may be eliminated. Also the death of the WAC leaves their other programs with no competitive place to play. Pitt has also decided to sue the Big East to get out in 2013...Syracuse is a follower, so expect them to trail in Pitt's wake and try to bolt in 2013.

Without these teams, Navy seems likely to remain an independent.

Which creates a conference of:

Cincinnati
Rutgers
USF
UCF
Temple
SMU
Houston
Memphis
UConn
Louisville

The Big East will have 8 teams in 2012, and 10 in 2013 if Pitt and Cuse leave early.

To get to the magic number of 12, 2 additional teams would need to go Big East by 2013. To protect from defections by UConn and Louisville, the Big East might want 4 more teams. Would Buffalo want to be one of those teams?

With UConn Louisville still in, the Big East invites Buffalo and ECU.

Big NorthEast

Buffalo
UConn
Rutgers
Temple
Louisville
Cincinnati

Big SouthEast

USF
UCF
SMU
Houston
Memphis
ECU

This would not be too bad. Annual games vs teams close in distance, and teams we play often like Rutgers, UConn and Temple. With a 9 game schedule we'd also have a game in either Texas or Florida every year. The games would be bigger than our MAC games, yet not so intimidating that we couldn't compete in a few years. We would be out classed in basketball, and should consider putting our other sports in the MAAC.

With UConn Louisville out, the Big East invites Buffalo, UMass WKU and ECU.

Big NorthEast

Buffalo
UMass
Rutgers
Temple
WKU
Cincinnati

Big SouthEast

USF
UCF
SMU
Houston
Memphis
ECU

This would make the conference much easier in basketball, and a bit easier in football as well, half the division would be MAC schools. UB could consider full membership.

Conclusion, the Big East is a poorly managed crater of a conference that is a few wrong moves away from extinction. However either version of UB in the Big East seems attractive to me.

In the first version, we'd get better competition in football, more money and we'd play MAAC basketball against our rivals...I'd expect us to dominate MAAC basketball and find ourselves in the NCAA Tournament.

In the second version, we'd get arguably better football competition, while expanding our recruiting footprint and most likely receiving more television exposure. Playing Big East Basketball would open up our recruiting, bring higher caliber players and perhaps spur more investment into our Basketball facilities...it is after all easier to field a winner in basketball than football.

So I say, Mr. White should start lobbying the interim head man in Providence just in case everything hits the fan, it's time for us to be poached. What do you think?

Editors note: Does this make me as bad as Temple? I think no, this is purely business, I enjoy the MAC, and recognize that most of the MAC programs are better than ours, especially in football. However I feel the region will not support a West facing conference, (unless its the B1G), they will only support an East facing conference. Our alumni base outside of Buffalo is slanted to the East Coast. We will only succeed financially as a department by tapping the East Coast alumni base.

Poll

Bull Run

College Football Relegation In Action: 2009

College Football Relegation In Action: 2009

Where Are We? #1 & #2: The Track and the Track Record

What kid of budget will Director White have at Buffalo?

99 for 99 - #83: Rodriguez to Quatrani Open New Era of UB Football

Golden News for Watt

Talking Bull: Really Harvey?

99 for 99 - #84: Zach Maynard Shows Potential, Youth...

Should UB Pursue the Big East?

Should UB pursue the Big East?