HOME COMING - TEMPLE

Yesterday at practice the classic fall skis in Western New York were heavy with clouds and a slow rain began to fall as it had on the previous Thursday before the trip to NIU. But unlike the previous Thursday, the rain stopped, the clouds broke and the sun shined through creating a rainbow over UB Stadium. This is our home coming. The UB BULLS are poised as they have been in the last several years at 2 -4 (1 - 1 in MAC PLAY) and it seems that TEMPLE has always been a game that gets things going. In 2008 the UB BULLS had to finish strong with numerous over time wins to make it to the MAC Championship Game. The 2008 season was best known for the "The Catch" made my Naaman Roosevelt on the last play of the Temple game. It was due to the lesson learned in that game that lead the 2008 UB BULLS to understand how to win. This is another opportunity to start it all over again. All I know is that the clouds broke yesterday and sun was warm on the faces of a resurgent UB BULLS FOOTBALL TEAM.

GO BULLS!

Getting ready for the the Baylor Bears!

Our first practice on Monday was crisp in the fall like afternoon. It will be a different climate down in Waco, TX, but the BULLS fortunately have been preparing for such a game all summer and into a very hot camp. Some of the days during the beautiful Buffalo summer reached the mid 90's. We have been practicing at a good tempo and fixing the fine points of technique in both of our systems of offense and defense. The Coach Quinn Era has started out with a win but the team goals are to graduate our student athletes and compete to win MAC Championships. Baylor will be a mighty test. They are very well coached and are anticipated to be extremely competitive in the Big 12. We will never shy away from competition. Every day we challenge our student athletes to be the best in the classroom and on the field.

GO BULLS!

Rhode Island Recap!

Well the first game for our players, coaches and Head Coach Jeff Quinn demonstrated that the UB BULLS have made significant strides forward in this year of transition. Rhode Island played extremely hard and was as physical as expected. With one win in the pocket it is now the time to prepare for the BAYLOR BEARS (Big 12). Baylor is a very good football team. As talented as Baylor is on both sides of the ball, the BULLS will have to continue to improve in all aspects of play. We say "every player, every play." And in order for the BULLS to be prepared for the Bears this is how we will have to practice through out the week.

GO BULLS!

CAMP QUINN!

They say that pre-season training camp sets the tempo for the rest of the season. If that is the case then the sacrifices that were made by the UB FOOTBALL student athletes in the off season may have been the reason that this was such a strong pre-season training camp. The UB BULLS hit the ground running and lifting and jumping and what ever else Strength Coach, Zach Duval had them doing over the summer. There has been a buzz of energy and anticipation at the beginning of every practice. Coaches are enthusiastic. Players are focused and in shape. Lead by the veteran leadership on Offense and Defense, young recruits develop quicker in a higher tempo and increased expectation for immediate excellence. The goals and hopes are high. If the effort given during the dog days of doubles are any indicator of the rewards ahead, 2010 may turn into a season to remember.

Just an observation. One of many that the 2010 UB BULLS will generate.

FIRST OFFICIAL DAY OF CAMP QUINN!

The UB Football team took to the field today for the first time since the end of Spring practices. While today was the first official practice for Coach Quinn and his staff, the effort that went into the first day of actual football was built during voluntary summer conditioning programs attended by nearly every member of the active roster. Strength Coach Zach Duval and his staff have fostered a culture of training to win in a very short period of time. While summer workouts were not mandatory, this UB observer has never witnessed the level of team dedication that occurred this summer. This team dedication will pay dividends.

We will provide a daily summary of observations made at the end of each practice day during camp.

GO BULLS!

TWO DEEP: THE RB'S

This week we will be looking at the UB BULL BACKFIELD. The BULLS have great depth and will display a mixture of veteran leadership and young legs that will most certainly provide the spark to take the BULLS new offense into the next era of UB FOOTBALL. The RB's are coached by Mike Daniels. Coach Daniels brings a new energy to the room. A former RB himself in this style of offense, Coach Daniels will help to mold one of the deepest groups in the MAC into one of the most productive groups in the MAC. If the sky is the limit for the RB's on the roster, then the discovery of new worlds is in our near future with the arrival of 2010 recruit James Potts from American Heritage HS (FLA). James Potts was listed on www.rivals.com as the number 24 ranked all purpose RB in the country and will have an opportunity to compete out of the gate. But before anyone steps on the field each of these UB BULL BACKS are working like never before to be in the best shape of the lives for this upcoming season.


RB 27 – Brandon Thermilus (Sr., 511, 224) - "Therm" is a great mixture of power and deceptive speed coming out of the back field. Brandon has fought through injury and is in the best shape of his career. He is poised to be a feature back in this offense and with his dedication and leadership will provide the necessary experience to be a go to guy.

or 36 – Ike Nduka (Sr., 511 217) - "Ike" has shown the ability to be a dependable back with moments of brilliant capability. With this being his last season, Ike is working harder to be the Number 1 guy than ever before.

21 – Jeffvon Gill (So., 511, 211) - Jeffvon had several breakout games in his freshman season and lived up to the expectations coming out of high school. Jeffvon is the perfect mixture of grace and power. Gill has tremendous vision for the hole and cutback lanes as many of his long runs last season came about due to his no quit attitude. He is one to watch.

or 32 – Branden Oliver (RFr., 58,196) - Of all the backs coming into this season "Bo" has the most excitement around him. Though he did not see the field last season, "Bo" is an electrical runner. He has great power in his frame and can cut on a dime. One of his greatest attributes is his ability to hit the hole quickly.

The RB's will be vital to the success of the 2010 UB BULLS FOOTBALL PROGRAM. They are one of the hardest working groups on the field and they have great pride in running the football and taking many trips into the end zone.

NEXT: LB'S

COACHES ANSWER QUESTIONS - FROM THE TRUE BLUE

FROM THE UB TRUE BLUE! - Fans ask questions about the UB FOOTBALL TEAM

QUESTION #1
Other than the obvious (Ohio and Michigan) what do you feel are the other states that the staff has good ties with recruiting?

ANSWER TO QUESTON #1

Recruiting is so much more than where a coach is from and where he has been. So much of recruiting is what has a coach accomplished with players from all over the country, what kind of guy is he and how will this coaching staff take care of a student athlete. We focus on many states but the state of New York is a major focus of our coaching staff. The UB Staff wants to go out and get the best student athletes that want to be a part of the University at Buffalo. Coaches constantly build relationships with coaches and players. That's what our recruiting is about, building relationships.

QUESTION #2
Coach Quinn - What do the players call you?

ANSWER TO QUESTION #2

I hope they just call me Coach.

QUESTION #3
Coach Quinn - What is something about Buffalo, whether it is the city itself or the university, that has surprised you?

ANSWER TO QUESTION #3

I love fishing and one of the things that I like best about Western New York is how many places there are to launch a boat.

The people in Buffalo are very much like the people I grew up around near Chicago. They are hard working and passionate people.

AS WE GET MORE QUESTIONS FROM THE TRUE BLUE WE WILL HAVE THEM ANSWERED.