Spring Football Prospectus (PDF) - Buffalo Athletics - University at ...

FOOTBALLPlains) will battle for time at fullback aftersplitting time at the position last season.“We need to find depth at the runningback position,” Gill said. “At fullbackwe need someone to step into the startingrole.”Wide ReceiverThe wide receiver position is one ofthe areas in which the Bulls return themost experience. Buffalo returns five receiversthat caught at least seven passeslast season.Leading the way is Terrance Breaux(Randallstown, MD/Randallstown) whois the Bulls’ top returning receiver. Thesenior wideout led all UB wide receiverslast year with 32 catches and 444 yardsreceiving. His best game of the seasoncame at Northern Illinois where he hadeight catches for 104 yards and a touchdown.It was his second 100-yard receivingperformance of his career makinghim only the fourth UB receiver tohave multiple 100-yard receiving gamessince the Bulls returned to Division I-A in1999.Although he will see time at quarterbackthis spring, coach Gill knowsthat he has a reliable option at receiverin Roosevelt. As a freshman, Roosevelthauled in 31 balls for 429 yards and twoscores. He ranked second on the team,averaging 35.8 yards per game receiving.He had seven catches for 72 yardsand a touchdown against Ball State andseven catches for 53 yards at Akron.Junior Ernest Jackson (Rochester,NY/Gates-Chili) played in all 12 gameslast season and had 11 receptions for162 yards. He had five catches for 74yards and a touchdown against BallState. His 14.7 yards-per-catch averagewas second best on the team.Junior Gary Rice (Hamilton, OH/Hamilton) made a seamless transitionfrom defensive back to wide receiverlast season. Although his season was cutshort with an injury, he did have ninecatches for 64 yards over five games.Brett Hamlin (Jupiter, FL/WilliamT. Dwyer) had seven catches over thefirst three games before missing the remainderof the season with a foot injury.He has recovered from the setback andlooks to return to form from his freshmancampaign. As a freshman, Hamlinled all UB receivers with 38 catches for371 yards.Sophomore Alex Pierre (Hackensack,NJ/Hackensack) and junior BradJAMEY RICHARDBeggs (Clarion, PA/Clarion-Limestone)each saw action last season and will adddepth and experience to the receivingcorps.“We need to find the two startersand at least two others who can makeplays,” Gill said.Tight EndsFinding a replacement for four-yearstarter Chad Upshaw will be a top priorityfor coach Gill.Junior Robert Yealu (CedarGrove, NJ/Cedar Grove) and sophomoreJesse Rack (Maspeth, NY/Christ the King) saw extensive timeon the field last season and shouldbe ready to move into a starting role.Yealu had six catches for 97 yardslast season. His 16.2 yards-per-catch averagewas tops on the team.Rack had a pair of catches for 15yards. He hauled in an eight-yard touchdownreception against Miami (OH).Kyle Brey (Granger, IN/Penn), whosat out last season as a redshirt, will adddepth at tight end. as will redshirt juniorBryan Kisabeth (Plymouth, MI/DivineChild), who returns from an injury sufferedat the end of spring ball last year.“Our goal is to find a starter to replaceChad Upshaw as we have qualitypeople returning,” Gill said.Offensive Line2007 SPRING PROSPECTUSSPRING PREVIEWThe Bulls return four of their startingfive offensive linemen from a seasonago. All told, the Bulls have five returningoffensive linemen that started atleast five games in 2006.Anchoring the line will be centerJamey Richard (Weston, CT/Weston).The senior center has started 23 straightgames over the last two seasons and isan All-MAC caliber player.Junior Jeff Niedermier (New Washington,OH/Buckeye Central) startedevery game at right guard a season agoand has started 18 straight games datingback to his freshman campaign.Junior Ray Norell (Monroe, CT/Masuk)showed his versatility last season bystarting the first five games at left tacklebefore starting the final seven games atleft guard.Midway through the 2006 season,Jordan Jerrold (Fairless Hills,PA/Pennsbury) was promoted to thestarting left tackle spot. Although onlyBrianWatsona freshman, he started the final sevengames of the season and helped reducethe Bulls’ sack total considerably. Prior toJerrold entering the starting lineup, Buffalowas allowing four sacks per game.However, once Jerrold became a starter,opponent’s sack total dropped to 2.7 pergame.Junior Jon Geddes (Colonie, NY/Colonie) started five games at left guardlast season and will likely battle for astarting role in 2007.Senior Jon Burgio (Clarence, NY/Clarence), junior Chris Lauzze (Pembroke,NY/Pembroke) and sophomoreMatt Bacoulis (Des Plaines, IL/MaineEast) all saw action as reserves last seasonand will have an opportunity forTREVOR SCOTT