Buffalo Football Quick Facts
2002 Spring Football Prospectus
Table of Contents
Quick Facts ______________________________ 1
Head coach Jim Hofher __________________ 2-3
2002 Spring Roster ______________________ 4-5
2002 BULL-etins__________________________ 6
2002 Spring Preview____________________ 7-10
2002 Positions By Class Chart______________ 11
2002 Football Recruits _________________ 12-15
2001 Season In Review _________________ 16-20
2001 Statistics ________________________ 21-23
2001 Game-by-game leaders _______________ 24
2001 Honor Roll/NCAA Leaders____________ 25
2002 Spring/Fall Schedules ________ Back cover
– THE UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO –
Location __________________________________ Buffalo, NY 14260
Founded ______________________________________________1846
Enrollment __________________________________________ 23,000
Nickname ____________________________________________ Bulls
School Colors _____________________________ Royal Blue & White
Affiliatation _______________________________NCAA Division I-A
Conference ____________________________________ Mid-American
President __________________________________ William R. Greiner
Alma Mater_______________________________ Wesleyan University
Athletic Director_______________________________ Bob Arkeilpane
Alma Mater________________________________Syracuse University
– FOOTBALL FAST FACTS –
Head Coach ______________________________________Jim Hofher
Alma Mater______________________________________ Cornell, ’79
Career Record (yrs) _____________________________47-44 (9 years)
Record at UB (yrs) ________________________________ 3-8 (1 year)
Stadium_________________________________ UB Stadium (31,000)
Playing Surface _________________________________Natural Grass
2001 Record ____________________________________________ 3-8
Letterwinners returning/lost ______________________________ 54/19
Starters returning/lost ____________________________________ 15/9
Offensive staters returning/lost______________________________ 9/2
Defensive starters returning/lost_____________________________ 4/7
Specialists returning/lost __________________________________ 2/0
2002 Captains__________________________________________TBA
Offensive System ___________________________________ Pro Style
Defensive System____________________________________ Multiple
– ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS –
Mailing Address _____________________________ 175 Alumni Arena
_______________________________________ Buffalo, NY 14260
Director________________________________________ Paul Vecchio
Office ______________________________________ 716-645-6311
Home ______________________________________ 716-941-0291
Fax ________________________________________ 716-645-6840
E-mail________________________________pvecchio@buffalo.edu
Assistant Director__________________________________ Heidi Roth
Home ______________________________________ 716-633-0181
E-mail__________________________________heroth@buffalo.edu
Web Site _______________________________ www.buffalobulls.com
Press box phone ________________________________ 716-645-6837
– MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE –
Mailing Address _____________________ 24 Public Square, 15th floor
_____________________________________ Cleveland, OH 44113
MAC Phone ___________________________________ 216-566-4622
MAC Fax _____________________________________ 216-696-2622
Web Site ________________________________ www.mac-sports.com
Commissioner ____________________________________ Rick Chryst
Assoc.Comm./Legislative & Compliance Services _____ Dell Robinson
Assoc.Commissioner/External Operations___________ Bob Gennarelli
Asst. Commissioner/Sports Programs___________ Stephanie McDonald
Asst. Commisioner/Electronic Media __________________ Paul Palian
Asst. Commissioner/Media Relations ________________ Gary Richter
Asst. Director of Media Relations ________________ Bryan McGowan
Director of Marketing_________________________ Lori Montgomery
Director of Compliance _____________________________Tracy Scott
Director of Administration ________________________ Krista Plummer
Valerie Perkin _________________________ Media Relations Assistant
Aimee DuPree-Chambers_____________ Assistant Director/Marketing
Find out all the latest information about
UB Athletics on the Internet at:
http://www.buffalobulls.com
Sports schedules, latest scores, how to purchase tickets, press releases, team profiles and
rosters, recreation and intramurals and athletic
facilities information.
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 1
Head Coach Jim Hofher
JIM
HOFHER
HEAD FOOTBALL COACH
SECOND YEAR AT BUFFALO
CORNELL UNIVERSITY, ’79
OVERALL RECORD: 47-44 (9 YEARS)
HOMETOWN: MIDDLETOWN, CT
DOB: OCTOBER 12, 1957
Jim Hofher didn’t waste much time in putting his imprint
on the University at Buffalo’s young Division I football
program. All he did in his first season at UB was:
√ Break an 18-game road losing streak with an emphatic
37-20 victory at Connecticut, a team that had beaten Buffalo
five straight times.
√ Led the Bulls to their first Mid-American Conference
shutout – a 44-0 pasting of Ohio – a team that had otuscored
Buffalo 137-26 in its three previous meetings.
√ Scored Buffalo’s most impressive victory since returning to Division I-A in 1999, by knocking off Army, 26-19, at
West Point as a near three-touchdown underdog.
That’s the sort of progress Buffalo Athletic Director Bob
Arkeilpane was looking for when he hired Hofher.
“In Jim Hofher we are getting everything we wanted and
more,” said Buffalo Athletic Director Bob Arkeilpane on
November 30, 2000, the day he was named UB’s 22nd head
football coach. “I'm truly excited about the attributes that
Coach Hofher brings to our football program and our athletic
family.”
Hofher, who has 23 years of collegiate coaching experience – including nine as a head coach – hit the ground running,
assembling a talented staff and immediately bringing in UB’s
largest incoming class (26) since its return to Division I three
years ago.
Hofher, who spent eight seasons as the head coach at
Cornell and is the winningest coach in the Big Red’s Ivy
League history, has also been an assistant coach at Wake
Forest, Miami (OH), Tennessee, North Carolina and Syracuse.
A native of Middletown, CT, the 43-year-old Hofher signed a
multi-year contract to lead the Bulls’ football program, which
begins its third season at the Division I-A level and the MidAmerican Conference in 2001.
During his collegiate coaching career, Hofher has coached
in five bowl games (Cotton, Sugar, Hall of Fame, Las Vegas
and Tangerine) and has a combined record of 139-98-2 on
staffs where he was either the head coach or an assistant coach.
Hofher rejoined the Syracuse coaching staff in 2000 as
quarterbacks coach after spending two years (1987-88) with
the Orange as running backs and special teams coach. Prior to
rejoining the SU staff, Hofher spent two seasons as the passing
game coordinator at the University of North Carolina where he
mentored Las Vegas Bowl MVP Ronald Curry and three-year
starter Oscar Davenport.
Hofher was the head coach at Cornell University from
1990-97 and left the Big Red with a career record of 44-36,
including a 33-23 record in Ivy League games. The 33 league
victories are the most of any Cornell head coach in its long and
storied history. His Ivy League winning percentage is also the
best in Cornell history.
Hofher History
Year
2001-present
2000
1998-99
1990-97
1989
1987-88
1983-86
1981-82
1979-80
School
Buffalo
Syracuse
North Carolina
Cornell
Tennessee
Syracuse
Wake Forest
Miami (OH)
Wake Forest
Assignment
Head Coach
Quarterbacks Coach
QB Coach/Passing Game Coordinator
Head Coach
Quarterbacks Coach
Running Backs/Special Teams Coach
Running Backs Coach
Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers Coach
Tight Ends Coach
•Career Highlights•
√ Led Cornell to 44-36-0 record in eight years as head coach
√ Most wins by any coach in Cornell’s Ivy League history
√ Highest winning percentage in Cornell’s Ivy League history
√ Coach on two staffs where the head coach earned National Coach of the Year
(John Mackovic, Wake Forest, 1979; Dick MacPherson, Syracuse, 1988)
√ Teams he has been associated with have compiled a record of 142-106-2
√ Has coached eight players who went on to the NFL
√ In his first season at Buffalo, broke UB’s 18-game road losing streak and posted
the school’s first MAC shutout (44-0 vs. Ohio)
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 2
Head Coach Jim Hofher
“Jim Hofher is an energetic, bright young coach who has dedicated
himself to this profession. We have known each other since I
recruited him to Cornell University, and he has always represented
himself in a first-class manner.”
“Jim Hofher is as well-rounded as any coach that I have ever had
work with me. He is a man of impeccable character, unquestionable
loyalty and a terrific family man.”
“Jim Hofher is one of the finest football coaches I have ever had the
pleasure to be associated with. He has outstanding organizational
skills, is a master at the X and O part of the game, and yet the best
thing about him is he is a great person.”
The Hofhers: Shannon, Cathy, Jim, Molly and Tara
During his tenure as head coach, the Big Red played for
two league titles, winning one, and set 170 team or individual
records for game, season and career standards at Cornell. In
addition, he had two players selected in the NFL draft (including current Jacksonville Jaguar starter Seth Payne) and two
NFL free agents.
Hofher was the quarterbacks coach at Tennessee in 1989
when the Volunteers won the Cotton Bowl and were SEC trichampions. He mentored former NFL quarterback Andy Kelly
while at Tennessee. Prior to his stint at UT, he served three
seasons as running backs coach at Wake Forest from 1983-86
prior to his first appointment at Syracuse.
Hofher’s first full-time collegiate coaching experience
was at Miami (OH) of the Mid-American Conference where he
served as the quarterbacks and wide receivers coach from
1981-82. He was a graduate assistant at Wake Forest in 197980, where he coached the tight ends.
A three-year letterwinner at Cornell, Hofher was the
starting quarterback and led the team in passing yardage from
1976-78. He played two years under two-time Super Bowl
champion head coach George Seifert.
A 1979 graduate of Cornell’s College of Human Ecology,
Hofher graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Consumer
Economics and Public Policy. An All-ECAC player for the Big
Red, he also earned academic scholarships through Cornell,
Psi Upsilon and the Sphinxhead Honorary Society.
He was selected to the Xavier (CT) High School Hall of
Honor in 1992 and the Middletown (CT) Sports Hall of Fame
in 1998.
Hofher’s wife, Cathy, is past president of the American
Football Coaches Wives Association. She is a graphic designer
and illustrator and has recently published two children’s books.
The couple has three daughters, Tara (16), Shannon (13) and
Molly (10).
“When I was at Syracuse I was really struggling and Jim Hofher
came in and made football fun again. He’s the one coach I stay in
contact with more than any other. His overall knowledge of the
game on the offensive side is tremendous and perhaps his strongest
asset is his people skills. He's the kind of guy that parents will want
their sons to go play for. In Jim Hofher, Buffalo got the complete
package.”
“Having known and covered Jim for the better part of the last 15
years, I can't think of a guy who's a better fit at this time in UB’s
football progress to take the program to a new and higher level. As
good a coach as he is, Western New York is lucky to get someone
who is a better person than his X and O ability.”
“I first worked with Jim Hofher when he was a graduate assistant
at Wake Forest. Even at that time you could see he had all the
attributes to someday become a successful head coach. Great
presence, tremendous demeanor, and an outstanding ability to deal
with people. I deserve some credit for his success, however, since
afterall I was the one who introduced him to his wife (Cathy).
“I think that wherever he's been he’s made the program better. I'm
just positive that he’s going to be successful. It's a perfect marriage
of a coach and an institution...if you wrote a profile of what Buffalo
needed then Jim Hofher is the guy you wanted.”
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 3
2002 Spring Roster
NO. PLAYER
POS
HT
WT
CL
HOMETOWN
LB
6-1
210
Sr.
Rochester, NY
DB
6-1
190
Jr.
Monroe, MI
WR
5-11
185
R-Fr.
LB
6-2
230
Jr.
Ossining, NY
P/K
6-0
185
Jr.
Holland, NY
St. Francis
QB
6-3
215
R-Fr.
Wyandotte, MI
Roosevelt
SECKY, Randall*
QB
6-4
215
So.
Bemus Point, NY
SINGFIELD, Dahnel***
DB
Sr.
6-0
182
Baltimore, MD
1
COLEY, Jason***
2
GRAHAM, Mark**
3
DANCE, Tim
4
WILCHER, Lamar**
5
PELZ, Dallas**
5
POWELL, Jeff
7
9
Erie, PA
HS/PREVIOUS SCHOOL
Greece-Olympia
Monroe
Cathedral Prep
Ossining
Maple Grove
Dunbar
11
McMAHAN, Scott*
P
5-9
175
Sr.
Huntington Beach, CA
12
HICKS, Darren*
DB
5-8
164
So.
Worthington, OH
Worthington Kilbourne
13
PISKORIK, P.J.
QB
6-0
205
RFr.
Swoyersville, PA
Wyoming Valley West
14
JOHNSON, Adam*
QB
6-5
210
Sr.
Alta Loma, CA
18
BAKER, Michael
P/K
5-10
185
R-Fr.
Jamestown, NY
19
McCLELLAND, Deonne*
LB
6-1
210
Sr.
Mesa, AZ
Binghamton, NY
Oceanview
Etiwanda/Chaffey JC
Jamestown
Meza/Scottsdale CC
20
BRADFORD, Maurice*
WR
5-10
172
Sr.
23
CONCEPCION, Kevin
DB
5-11
180
R-Fr.
Rochester, NY
26
McDONALD, Bam**
WR
5-9
182
Jr.
Rochester, NY
27
BRERETON, Marvin***
TE
6-3
236
Sr.
Missisaugua, ONT
28
DWARTE, Marquis**
RB
5-6
170
Jr..
Baltimore, MD
29
GIBSON, J.J.*
DB
5-9
178
So.
Buffalo, NY
33
BUTTLES, Ryan*
LB
6-1
218
Sr.
Pike, NY
34
LEEPER, Aaron
RB
5-10
184
R-Fr.
35
ALABI, David
RB
5-9
205
So.
Powell, OH
35
LAMBERT, Mike***
DB
5-10
185
Sr.
Syracuse, NY
37
GUERRA, Jamie***
DE
6-3
235
Sr.
Belle Vernon, PA
Belle Vernon
39
MONTANEZ, Jason*
LB
5-11
224
Sr.
Spring Valley, NY
Spring Valley
Jamestown, NY
40
SHAUGHNESSY, Tom**
FB
6-1
236
Jr.
41
WILLIAMS, Gemara
DB
5-8
170
R-Fr.
Oak Park, MI
LeRoy, NY
42
DAWSON, Dave
RB
5-8
180
R-Fr.
Camp Hill, PA
Fort Lauderdale, FL
43
SOLTIS, Ken
LB
6-0
250
R-Fr.
44
MORRIS, Rodney*
LB
5-11
220
So.
Pahokee, FL
45
PIROWSKI, Hank
LB
5-10
210
So.
Lackawanna, NY
46
SANDERS, Richard
LB
5-11
250
R-Fr.
47
CAMPANELLA, Mark**
DE
6-3
250
Jr.
48
DAWSON, Terrance*
DL
6-3
275
Jr.
49
SANDERS, Aaron
LB
6-1
220
R-Fr.
50
CLARETT, Marcus**
DL
6-1
280
Jr.
Miami, FL
Binghamton/Morrisville JC
East
Rush-Henrietta
Clarkson Secondary
Perry Hall
Sweet Home
Letchworth
Jamestown
Worthington Kilbourne
Jamesville-DeWitt
LeRoy
Brother Rice
Bishop McDevitt
Coconut Creek
Pahokee
Lackaawanna
Coral Reef
Buffalo, NY
St. Joseph’s
Warren, OH
Warren G. Harding/San Fran. JC
Clarence, NY
Youngstown, OH
Coral Springs, FL
St. Joseph’s
Warren G. Harding
52
AUSTRUM, Demetrius**
LB
6-2
223
Jr.
53
BERRY, Kirk
DE
6-2
227
R-Fr.
Norristown, PA
Taravella
54
TAGLIENTI, Perry
LB
6-1
215
R-Fr.
Lancaster, NY
56
ANDRIANO, Anthony*
DE
6-3
237
So.
Howard Beach, NY
58
BANIEWICZ, Matt**
OL
6-1
260
Jr.
Fairport, NY
59
SCHIFANO, Michael
OL
6-5
270
R-Fr.
Webster, NY
Webster
61
NGUTI, Michael
DL
6-1
296
So.
Brighton, NY
Brighton
Norristown
Lancaster
Christ The King/Milford Academy
Fairport/Valley Forge Military
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 4
2002 Spring Roster
63
MILLS, Jeff*
OL
6-5
288
Jr.
Wilkes-Barre, PA
64
DUNN, Kevin**
OL
6-2
264
Jr.
Mission Viejo, CA
Mission Viejo
Coughlin
65
WEBER, Eric*
OL
6-5
301
So.
Canandaigua, NY
Canandaigua
69
HOWARD, Ted
OL
6-4
275
R-Fr.
River Rouge, MI
River Rouge
70
RUSSELL, Casey*
DL
6-0
254
So.
Lafayette, NY
72
MINOCCHI, Dan*
OL
6-2
270
So.
Canton, OH
74
LOVE, Zachary
OL
6-4
285
R-Fr.
Wallingford, PA
Strath Haven
75
ALVAREZ, Alex
OL
6-4
290
Jr.
Los Angeles, CA
Bell-Jefferson/Glendale JC
77
PARIS, William
OL
6-2
320
So.
Southfield, MI
Cass Technical
Rochester Adams
Lafayette
Canton Central Catholic
78
AVERY, Andy*
OL
6-7
262
Jr.
Rochester, MI
79
ZEPPUHAR, Erik*
OL
6-4
270
So.
Allison Park, PA
80
SCHROEDER, Rob
TE
6-4
250
R-Fr.
81
FORDE, Andre***
WR
5-11
208
Sr.
Penfield, NY
82
LINDSAY, Dan**
WR
5-10
190
Sr.
Henrietta, NY
Rush-Henrietta
83
McCLOVER, Gabriel
WR
6-2
210
R-Fr.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Coconut Creek
85
KNUEVEN, Matt*
WR
6-1
200
So.
Cincinnati, OH
LaSalle
87
SCOTT, Kyle
TE
6-1
199
R-Fr.
Salamanca, NY
Salamanca
88
BARTOSZEK, Chad***
TE
6-6
250
Sr.
Salamanca, NY
Salamanca
89
SMALARZ, Jason**
TE
6-4
244
Jr.
Fraser, MI
92
MEHOLIF, Bill
DT
6-2
250
R-Fr.
Parma, OH
93
HARRIS, Obadiah
DE
6-1
230
Jr.
Chillicothe, OH
94
JOHNSON, Craig*
DL
6-1
290
So.
Vestal, NY
Shaler
East Rochester, NY
East Rochester
Penfield
Fraser
St. Ignatius
Chillicothe/Valley Forge JC
Vestal
95
MILES, Terrance
DL
6-6
265
R-Fr.
Buffalo, NY
98
JACQUES, Philip
DE
6-2
234
R-Fr.
Farmington Hills, MI
McKinley
CLARK, Rashad
DE
6-4
240
Jr.
Los Angeles, CA
BECK, Doug
LB
5-11
215
Fr.
Brighton, NY
Brighton
BAINES, Angel
WR
6-1
205
Fr.
Syracuse, NY
Mansfield College/Henninger
DIEHL, Tom
FB
5-11
225
Fr.
Kenmore, NY
Kenmore East
EATON, Jonathan
DL
5-11
240
Fr.
Brooklyn, NY
Thurgood Marshall Academy
GANE, Geoff
RB
5-10
190
So.
North Tonawanda, NY
HALL, Rhys
CB
6-0
170
Fr.
Buffalo, NY
MING, Marlon
CB
5-9
190
Jr.
Staten Island, NY
PENA, Ramon
CB
5-11
165
Fr.
Manhattan, NY
WOODRUFFE, Steiner
CB
6-2
180
R-Fr.
Brooklyn, NY
Brother Rice
Ontario/West Los Angeles JC
St. John Fisher/North Tonawanda
Hutch Tech
SUNY Canton
Manhattan Center
Sheepshead Bay
*Indicates number of letters earned
Head coach: Jim Hofher, Cornell, ’79 (10th year, 47-44)
Assistants: Bill Lazor (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Thurmond Moore (defensive coordinator), Clayton Carlin (defensive backfield),
Andrew Dees (tight ends), Antonio Goss (linebackers), Roy Istvan (offensive line), Tom Jones (defensive line), Brian Polian (running backs),
Doug Socha (wide receivers), Mike Garofalo (offensive graduate assistant), Alan Mogridge (defensive graduate assistant)
Football Operations: Paul Bittar
Academic advisor: Mike Heflin
Athletic trainers: Sue Rocque, Karl Kozlowski
Equipment: Dave Borsuk, Alan Bell
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 5
BULL-ETINS For Spring 2002
FOR STARTERS: The Bulls will return 15
starters from the 2001 season when they
begin work this spring, including nine on
the offensive side of the ball. Most
notable is the return of four of five
offensive linemen as well as tight end
and leading receiver Chad Bartoszek.
Defensively, Buffalo looks to reload
after being the MAC’s most improved
defense in 2001. The only area not struck
by heavy graduation losses was the
Bulls’ defensive secondary where three
starters – Mike Lambert, Mark
Graham and J.J. Gibson return.
FAMILIAR FACES RETURN : The Bulls will
welcome back in the spring three seniors
who missed all or most of last year.
Tight end Marvin Brereton, who
injured his knee in the opener versus
Rutgers, was granted a sixth year of
eligibility by the NCAA this winter and
will see limited duty in spring drills. He
is expected to make a full and healthy
return by summer camp.
Two other seniors – offensive lineman
Matt Baniewicz
and Dahnel
Singfield – are also
back. Baniewicz,
who chose to take
last year away from
football, should
strengthen UB’s
offensive line as he
started 10 of 11
Marvin Brereton
games in 2000.
Singfield also returns, at a new position
(cornerback) after starting five games at
wide receiver in 2000.
OTHER COMINGS AND GOINGS : Beyond its
heavy graduation losses on defense,
Buffalo also lost two other players.
Senior Jamie Guerra will graduate
this summer and not return after continued back problems curtailed his football
career.
In addition, sophomore Terek
Henderson opted to transfer to Division
I-AA Wagner after seeing limited action
at cornerback last season.
THE STAFF IS INTACT: The UB coaching
staff has gotten more familiar with its
players after spending a full season with
them and in turn the players have seen no
chance as well.
Head coach Jim Hofher has the luxury
of having his entire coaching staff –
including strength and conditioning
coach Jim Peal and video coordinator
Adam Raymond – back intact for 2002.
For the record the coaching staff will
again consist of: Bill Lazor (offensive
coordinator), Thurmond Moore (defensive coordinator), Clayton Carlin
(defensive backfield), Andrew Dees
(tight ends), Antonio Goss (linebackers),
Roy Istvan (offensive line), Tom Jones
(defensive line), Brian Polian (running
backs, special teams coordinator), Doug
Socha (wide receivers) and graduate
assistants Mike Garofalo (offense) and
Allen Mogridge (defense).
MAC/NON -CONFERENCE FOES SET: One
important thing happened in the offseason that settled Buffalo’s future
scheduling.
That was the addition of the University
of Central Florida to the Mid-American
Conference’s East Division as a footballplaying school only effective in the fall
of 2002. That evened the MAC at seven
schools in both the East and West – with
Bowling Green moving to the West for
all sports – and settled the MAC’s
scheduling problems from previous
years. Buffalo will now play the six
MAC East Division teams (Akron,
Central Florida, Kent State, Marshall,
Miami and Ohio) as well as two crossover games against West Division
opponents.
In the wake of that announcement
Buffalo also announced at National
Signing Day on Feb. 5th that is has
locked up its non-conference scheduling
from now until 2007.
2002
Home
Away
Connecticut
Minnesota
Lehigh
Rutgers
2003
Home
Away
Colgate
Iowa
Connecticut
Rutgers
2004
Home
Syracuse
Away
Connecticut
Temple
2005
Home
Rutgers
Away
Connecticut
Syracuse
2006
Home
Temple
Away
Rutgers
West Virginia
2007
Home
Temple
Away
Rutgers
Syracuse
AVERY LEADS CLASS ACTS: The Bulls had
21 members of the football team earn UB
Scholar-Athlete distinction by earning
over a 3.0 grade point average during the
fall semester. None, however, was more
impressive than the work of junior
offensive tackle Andy Avery, who put
together his second straight semester
with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Avery, a member of the District I
Verizon Academic
All-American team
last fall, is pursuing
a double major in
Psychology and
Pre-Med and is a
part of UB’s
Honors Program.
His efforts in the
classroom put him
Andy Avery
in select company
according to a poll of nationwide
Division I-A Sports Information Directors. Avery joins just five other returning
starters in the nation who have compiled
consecutive 4.0 GPA’s and nine players
total who have accomplished the feat.
The list:
Player
School
Consec. 4.0’s
Scott Scherer
Memphis
7
Michael Griffis
Kent State
5
Maurio Medley
Kent State
3
Andy Avery*
Buffalo
2
Josh Melton*
Arkansas
2
Travis Barclay*
Ball State
2
Jon Eckert*
Ball State
2
Rob Turner*
C. Michigan
2
Ben Felton
Georgia
2
*indicates returning starter
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 6
2002 Preview
BULLS READY TO TAKE NEXT STEP
15 starters return for Hofher’s second season at helm
The University at Buffalo football
program is building momentum under
second-year head coach Jim Hofher.
They closed the 2001 season with
the most significant back-to-back wins
since the program’s return to Division IA football in 1999 – a 44-0 shutout of
MAC rival Ohio and a stunning 26-19
win at West Point against Army. That
was followed by another sterling
recruiting class set to join the Bulls this
August. Now with 16 returners starting
from last year – including nine on
offense – Buffalo is ready to make even
more noise in 2002.
That preparation begins in earnest
this spring as Buffalo’s second-year
staff, which returns completely intact, is
now familiar with the steps still needed
to take to make a run at a Mid-American
Conference championship. Hofher and
his staff will continue to preach the
mantra of “Play Hard, Play Fast” over
15 NCAA mandated practices, including
the annual Blue-White spring scrimmage
to be contested on April 17 at UB
Stadium.
Here’s a position-by-position look at
what the UB coaching staff will be
evaluating before the 2002 fall camp.
•OFFENSE•
QUARTERBACK
This will no doubt be one of the
more interesting position battles in the
spring and doesn’t figure to be settled
until fall camp as Buffalo returns only
one player – sophomore Randall Secky
(Bemus Point, NY/Maple Grove) – who
has thrown a collegiate pass.
Secky, who saw action in four
games in 2001, is coming off elbow
surgery in the off-season and will likely
be limited as to his participation this
spring. When healthy he is a strongarmed thrower with good size and arm
strength. He completed 15-of-35 passes
for 153 yards last season with no
interceptions.
Also in the mix this spring will be a
pair of redshirt freshmen who were part
of Coach Hofher’s first recruiting class.
P.J. Piskorik (Swoyersville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) is the best athlete of
the quarterback hopefuls having become
just the fourth player in Pennsylvania
prep history to run and pass for 1,000
yards in a season in his senior year two
seasons ago. As a senior at Wyoming
Valley West he ran for 1,343 yards and
passed for 1,473 and accounted for 32
touchdowns.
Also redshirted last season was Jeff
Powell (Wyandotte, MI/Roosevelt), who
came to UB after throwing for 1,433
yards, 15 touchdowns and no interceptions in his senior season of high school.
Three other freshmen will join the
fray from the 2002 recruiting class this
August.
OFFENSIVE LINE
One of the real bright spots of UB’s
second half improvement in 2001 was
the play of a young and inexperience
offensive line that loses just one starter
heading into 2002.
Over the second half of the season,
Buffalo averaged nearly 150 yards rushing per game and averaged 23.4 points per
game over the final five weeks. That unit
loses two-year starter Tim Hedges, but returns four players who all have a minimum
of two years of eligibility left – left tackle
Andy Avery (Rochester, MI/Rochester
Adams) ,
center
Eric
Weber
(Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua), right
guard Erik Zeppuhar (Allison Park, PA/
Shaler) and right tackle Jeff Mills (WilkesBarre, PA/Coughlin) – who started all 11
games together last season.
In addition, UB has the most depth
upfront since joining the MAC in 1999.
Juniors Kevin Dunn (Mission Viejo, CA/
Mission Viejo) and Alex Alvarez (Los
Angeles, CA/Bell-Jefferson) and sophomores Dan Minocchi (Canton, OH/Canton Central Catholic) and Will Paris (Detroit, MI/Cass Tech) expect to push those
starters while a trio of redshirt freshmen –
Ted Howard (River Rouge, MI/River
Rouge), Mike Schifano (Webster, NY/
Eric Weber
Webster) and Zachary Love (Wallingford,
PA/Strath Haven) – show great promise.
In addition, Matt Baniewicz
(Fairport, NY/Valley Forge Military
Academy) – who started 10 of 11 games
in 2000 – will return to the program after
a voluntary leave of absence in 2001.
TIGHT END
With the return of leading receiver
Chad Bartoszek (Salamanca, NY/
Salamanca) and the granting of a sixthyear of eligibility to Marvin Brereton
(Missisaugua, Ontario/Clarkson) this is
one of the Bulls’ deepest and most
talented positions.
Bartoszek, a candidate for the John
Mackey Award given to the nation’s top
tight end, earned honorable mention AllMAC kudos last season after a breakout
year.
The 6-6, 255-pounder led Buffalo
with 42 receptions for 441 yards (10.5
per catch) and also found the end zone
four times, tied for second-best on the
team. Those numbers make Bartoszek
the third most productive tight end in the
nation returning in 2002. In addition,
Bartoszek’s strength has greatly im2002 Buffalo Spring Football ProspectusÊ• 7
2002 Preview
Chad Bartoszek
proved, making him a more capable
blocker.
In Brereton, Buffalo returns an
excellent blocker and athlete. Brereton,
who started all 11 games at fullback in
2000, suffered a season-ending knee
injury in the first quarter of the season
opener versus Rutgers. If healthy,
Brereton gives UB another weapon on
the flanks.
Also returning is another
letterwinner, junior Jason Smalarz
(Fraser, MI/Fraser). Smalarz played
significantly last season but did not
register a catch.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Buffalo boasts a potent corps of
receivers with a nice blend of youth and
experience as well as speed and possession ability.
The most experienced is senior
Andre Forde (Penfield, NY/Penfield), a
two-year starter who saw his 2001
season end with a broken collarbone in
week seven at Kent State. Despite that,
Forde still finished fourth on the team in
receiving with 23 receptions for 289
yards (12.6 per catch). Heading into his
final year, Forde is already 10th in career
receptions (77) and has over 1,000 yards
receiving in his career. He is also a
dangerous return man and a team leader.
Another senior with great speed is
Maurice Bradford (Binghamton, NY/
Binghamton), who finished second in
receptions last year with 35 for 498
yards (a team-best 14.2 yards per catch)
and two touchdowns. Bradford, who had
off-season knee surgery, is still learning
the position after switching from
tailback last spring following a transfer
from Morrisville Junior College.
Sophomore Matt Knueven (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) was one of only two
true freshmen to play last season but
made major contributions in his first
year of collegiate ball. Knueven hauled
in 35 passes – second-best on the team –
for 443 yards and hit paydirt twice.
Excellent routes and terrific hands are
Knueven’s hallmarks and he has
deceptive speed. Another senior who
contributed solidly last year was Dan
Lindsay (Henrietta, NY/RushHenrietta) who had 17 catches for 154
yards and a score. Seniors Adam
Johnson (Alta Loma, CA/Etiwanda)
and Bam McDonald (Rochester, NY/
Rush-Henrietta) will play their first full
springs at wideout after converting from
quarterback and tailback, respectively.
The Bulls will also have their eyes
on two redshirt freshmen this spring who
have shown excellent promise. Tim
Dance (Erie, PA/McDowell) is a
speedster who could also be a return
man for Buffalo, while Gabe McClover
(Fort Lauderdale, FL/Coconut Creek)
gives UB size (6-2) and athleticism.
coaching staff, however, has high hopes
for a pair of redshirt freshmen: Aaron
Leeper (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown)
and Dave Dawson (Camp Hill, PA/
Bishop McDevitt).
Leeper, the 2000 USA Today New
York State Player of the Year, rushed for
2,269 yards and 47 touchdowns as a
prep senior.
Dawson, meanwhile, mirrors
Dwarte in quickness and has excellent
hands as well. At 5-8, 180, he rushed for
1,663 yards and 15 touchdowns as a
senior at Bishop McDevitt. Both players
will get a lot of looks in spring practice.
Sophomore David Alabi (Columbus,
OH/Worthington-Kilbourne) will look
for a niche as well after recurring knee
problems have plagued his progress.
At fullback, Buffalo returns roughand-tumble Tom Shaughnessy (LeRoy,
NY/LeRoy), one of the team’s unsung
heroes in 2001. Shaughnessy did not get
a carry all season, but consistently threw
key blocks that helped Buffalo accumulate 13 rushing touchdowns. He also has
good hands and made four catches for 27
yards in ’01. Jason Montanez (Spring
Valley, NY/Spring Valley), an excellent
athlete, will also see time at this spot.
•DEFENSE•
DEFENSIVE LINE
This position was ravaged by graduation as the Bulls lost all four starters from
Andre Forde
RUNNING BACKS
Graduation took two of UB’s most
productive runners in recent years in
Derrick Gordon and Albert Grundy, but
junior Marquis Dwarte (Baltimore, MD/
Perry Hall) – who has led UB in rushing
for two straight seasons – returns.
Dwarte might be UB’s strongest
player pound-for-pound and he possesses excellent quickness. He led
Buffalo in both carries (141), yards
(546) and touchdowns (seven) last
season. In his first two years, Dwarte has
rushed for 1,157 yards and he could
move into UB’s top five all-time rushers
with another productive season.
Behind Dwarte, Buffalo gets very
young at the tailback position. The
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 8
2002 Preview
2001 – Bob Dzvonick, Chris Shelly, Omari
Jordan and Jamie Guerra. Nonetheless,
Hofher and defensive coordinator
Thurmond Moore feel that they have talent waiting in the wings ready to do their
part to continue the Bulls’ rapid ascent
among MAC defensive teams.
Buffalo’s switch to a 4-3 last season
promoted quickness from its defensive
ends and UB that and toughness from
Anthony Andriano (Howard Beach, NY/
Christ the King) , who joined Matt
Knueven as the only true freshmen to play
in 2001.
Andriano appears ready to step into a
starting role after recording 25 tackles, six
for losses and a sack last year. In his only
start, he led the Bulls in tackles with 12 in
a huge win at Army.
The other ends with playing experience are juniors Mark Campanella (Buffalo, NY/St. Joseph’s) and Demetrius
Austrum (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella).
Campanella made the switch from
tight end midway through last season and
looks to come back strong from an injuryriddled start to his career. Austrum was just
coming into his own before suffering a season-ending injury last year at the midway
point. He had a forced fumble and a tackle
for loss last year. Both of them have their
best football ahead of them.
A player to watch in the spring will
be mid-year transfer Rashad Clark (Los
Anthony
Andriano
Angeles, CA/Ontario). Clark comes to UB
from West Los Angeles JC where he excelled on both the offensive and defensive
lines after spending four years in the Marine Corps. A Pac-10 recruit coming out
of high school, Clark will battle for a defensive end spot and the coaching staff has
the luxury of having him – as they did
Andriano last year – for all of spring ball.
Buffalo also expects 2001 recruits
Kirk Berry (Norristown, PA/Norristown),
Obadiah Harris (Chillicothe, OH/
Chillicothe), Philip Jacques (Farmington
Hills, MI/Brother Rice) to make some
noise in the spring and challenge for starting roles in the fall.
UB is thinner in the middle with the
loss of four-year starter Bob Dzvonick and
hulking Omari Jordan. Junior Marcus
Clarett (Youngstown, OH/Warren G.
Harding) played solidly down the stretch
after Dzvonick was lost for the season, and
forced a pair of fumbles.
Others in the mix at the defensive
tackle spots will be junior Terrance
Dawson (Warren, OH/Warren G.
Harding), sophomores Craig Johnson
(Vestal, NY/Vestal) , Mike Nguti
(Brighton, NY/Brighton), Terrance Miles
(Buffalo, NY/McKinley) and Casey
Russell (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) and
redshirt freshmen Bill Meholif (Parma,
OH/St. Ignatius) and Rob Schroeder
(East Rochester, NY/East Rochester)
Dawson has size and quickness while
Johnson showed big-play abilities with 26
tackles, three tackles for loss and a pass
breakup as a key reserve in ’01 while the
others continue to get better.
LINEBACKERS
The Bulls also were hit hard by
graduation at linebacker where leading
tackler Bobby Johnson and two-year
starter Duane Williams each finished
their careers.
The only player returning with
significant starting experience is middle
linebacker Lamar Wilcher (Ossining,
NY/Ossining), who ranked fourth on the
team in tackles despite missing two
games to injury. Wilcher is a bruising
hitter who had 70 stops (36 solos), 10
tackles for loss and two fumble recoveries last season.
Behind him is sophomore Rodney
Lamar Wilcher
Morris (Pahokee, FL/Pahokee) and
senior Ryan Buttles (Pike, NY/
Letchworth). Morris has great quickness
and excelled on special teams while
Javunt
making 14 tackles in ’01. Buttles had
20 Pratt
tackles in eight games and played a big
role in UB’s road win at Connecticut
while filling in for Wilcher with six
tackles and an interception.
Expected to make an impact as well
are a pair of Floridian redshirt freshmen
Ken Soltis (Fort Lauderdale, FL/
Coconut Creek) and Richard Sanders
(Miami, FL/Coral Reef). Both players
are big hitters at 250 pounds but Sanders
will miss spring practice while rehabbing from off-season knee surgery.
Buttles also has the ability to play
outside linebacker, where he will
compete for a starting spot along with
converted safety Deonne McClelland
(Mesa, AZ/Mesa), Jason Coley (Rochester, NY/Greece-Olympia).
McCelland had 14 tackles and an
interception after transferring to UB
from Scottsdale JC; Coley is an excellent special teamer as well who had 13
tackles, a sack and a forced fumble last
year while Montanez is an excellent
athlete who also played some fullback
last season.
Former Western New York All-Stars
Hank Pirowski (Lackawanna, NY/
Lackawanna), Aaron Sanders
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 9
2002 Preview
J.J. Gibson
(Clarence, NY/St. Joseph’s) and Perry
Taglienti (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster)
will provide depth and capable backup.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
This is one of UB’s deepest and
most experienced positions even with
the loss of second-team All-MAC
performer Craig Rohlfs to graduation.
The Bulls three of the MAC’s most
productive defensive backs returning
with the trio of senior Mike Lambert
(Syracuse, NY/Jamesville-DeWitt),
junior Mark Graham (Monroe, MI/
Monroe) and sophomore J.J. Gibson
(Amherst, NY/Sweet Home), who
started all 11 games together in ’01.
Between the three, they combined for 26
passes defensed (a combination of
interceptions and pass breakups) and 210
total tackles.
Lambert is a hitter who accumulated
47 tackles (three for losses), three
interceptions and nine pass breakups
while recovering a fumble last year.
Graham, meanwhile, was seventh on the
team with 55 tackles, led the team with
10 pass breakups and added a pair of
interceptions to bring his career total to
five. Graham will make the move to free
safety this spring as UB looks for his
experience to offset the loss of Rohlfs –
a four-year starter.
One of the big stories of the defense
last season season was the emergence of
Gibson, who became a big-league strong
safety in his first season of collegiate
action.
Now a sophomore, Gibson will try
to surpass his school-record 108 tackles
as a freshman while adding two pass
breakups, two forced fumbles and a
fumble recovery. A fierce hitter, Gibson
will be asked to do even more at the
safety position with the graduation of
Rohlfs.
While Lambert has one corner
seemingly secured, another senior –
Dahnel Singfield (Baltimore, MD/
Dunbar) – returns with an opportunity
to compete. Singfield was moved to the
defensive backfield last spring and is an
excellent athlete. He and sophomore
Darren Hicks (Worthington, OH/
Worthington-Kilbourne), a valuable
reserve at cornerback last year, will
battle for the other corner spot. Also
expected to be in the mix are a pair of
redshirt freshmen: Kevin Concepcion
(Rochester, NY/East) and Gemara
Williams (Oak Park, MI/Brother Rice)
who both possess execellent speed and
athleticism.
Buffalo also recruited five defensive
backs in the 2002 class, some of which
may have a chance to play in the fall.
KICKING GAME
The Bulls got excellent seasons
from both junior Dallas Pelz (Holland,
NY/St. Francis) and JUCO transfer
Scott McMahan (Huntington Beach,
CA/Santa Ana JC) in 2001 despite the
fact they were in their first seasons at
UB at their respective positions of
placekicker and punter.
Pelz, who had handled some of the
punting duties at UB as a redshirt frosh,
had never attempted a field goal at the
collegiate level going into 2001. All the
former All-Western New Yorker did was
set a school record by drilling nine
straight field goals and twice was named
Mid-American Conference Special
Teams Player of the Week.
He earned the accolades after hitting
three field goals in a road win at
Connecticut and again after matching a
school record with four field goals,
including a career-best 50-yarder in the
win at Army. For the season, Pelz hit 12of-18 field goals – the second most in
school history – including 11-of-13 on
the road and led the team in scoring with
55 points.
McMahan, meanwhile, was solid in
his first year at UB. McMahan averaged
38.9 yards per punt – sixth best in school
history – and had an impressive 17 kicks
downed inside the 20 yard line and four
more kicks fair caught.
Buffalo will be forced to replace
outstanding long-snapper Kevin
McCarthy and holder Joe Freedy, both
lost to graduation.
THE SCHEDULE
The Bulls will play a 12-game
regular season schedule for the first in its
history in 2002, including six home
games.
The Bulls will host Lehigh, Connecticut and MAC rivals Kent State,
Miami (OH), Central Florida (in its first
year as MAC football member) and
Western Michigan at UB Stadium.
Buffalo will travel to Rutgers and
Minnesota – its first game against a Big
10 team since 1901 – in non-conference
battles while taking on Marshall, Ohio,
Akron and Ball State on the road in
MAC contests.
Mike Lambert
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 10
2002 Positions By Class
BULLS OFFENSE - BY CLASS
SE
S
E
N
I
O
R
R
S
F
R
O
S
H
LG
C
Andre
Forde
Adam
Johnson
Bam
McDonald
J
U
N
I
O
R
S
O
P
H
LT
RG
RT
Matt
Baniewicz
Alex
Alvarez
Kevin
Dunn
Erik
Zeppuhar
Eric
Weber
William
Paris
Jeff
Mills
TE
QB
FL
Chad
Bartoszek
Maurice
Bradford
Marvin
Brereton
Dan
Lindsay
TB
PK
Jason
Montanez
Marquis
Dwarte
Jason
Smalarz
FB
Tom
Shaughnessy
Dallas
Pelz
Andy
Avery
Matt
Knueven
Dan
Minocchi
Gabe
McClover
Ted
Howard
David
Alabi
Randall
Secky
Mike
Schifano
Zachary
Love
Kyle
Scott
P.J.
Piskorik
Tim
Dance
Michael
Baker
Aaron
Leeper
Jeff
Powell
Offensive line positions to be determined
F
R
O
S
H
David
Dawson
Geoff
Gane
Tom
Diehl
BULLS DEFENSE - BY CLASS
LE
NG
DT
RE
S
E
N
I
O
R
J
U
N
I
O
R
S
O
P
H
R
S
F
R
O
S
H
OLB
MLB
OLB
Ryan
Buttles
Jason
Coley
LCB
SS
FS
Mike
Lambert
RCB
Dahnel
Singfield
P
Scott
McMahan
Deonne
McClelland
Demetrius
Austrum
Marcus
Clarett
Terrance
Dawson
Rashad
Clark
Lamar
Wilcher
Perry
Taglienti
Hank
Pirowski
Rodney
Morris
Richard
Sanders
Ken
Soltis
Aaron
Sanders
Mark
Graham
Dallas
Pelz
Obadiah
Harris
Anthony
Andriano
Kirk
Berry
Craig
Johnson
Michael
Nguti
Casey
Russell
Terrance
Miles
Bill
Meholif
Rob
Schroeder
Philip
Jacques
J.J.
Gibson
Kevin
Concepcion
Darren
Hicks
Steiner
Gemara
Woodruffe Williams
F
R
O
S
H
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 11
2002 Recruiting Class
BUFFALO RELEASES FOOTBALL SIGNEES
24 players from nine states make up Hofher’s second recruiting class
BUFFALO, NY – Head football coach Jim Hofher has announced the following players as having signed
National Letters of Intent to pursue their academic and athletic careers at the University at Buffalo on the
first day of the college football signing period.
Name
Pos.
Ht.
Wilshawn Adkins
WR
6-4
Doug Anderwkavich
TE/DL 6-6
Delando Bradford
DB
5-10
Chris Clifton
LB
6-3
Rashad Clark#
DL
6-4
Bryan Cummings
LB
6-3
Joe DiGiorgio
QB/DB 6-1
Ramon Guzman
FB/LB 6-2
Antonio Jones
WR/DB 6-1
Steven King
RB
6-0
Chris McDuffie
RB/DB 5-10
Kevin Moodt
OL
6-6
Jared Patterson
RB
6-2
Michael Radon
QB
6-1
Stewart Sampsel
QB
6-3
Tim Schmidt
OL
6-6
Ryan Sherwood-Ericsson
RB/DB 6-1
Brandon Smith
DB
5-10
Chad Upshaw
TE/LB 6-4
James Vann
DB
6-2
Leonard Washington
DL
6-2
Brian Watson
WR
6-5
Gerry Weissinger
OL/DL 6-5
Kevin Wiggins
OL
6-2
#enrolled at UB as a mid-semester transfer
Wt.
200
265
177
237
240
215
205
218
200
190
180
260
205
175
180
270
200
175
238
180
230
210
290
290
Hometown/High School/Previous School
Fort Lauderdale, FL/Stranahan
Queens, NY/Holy Cross
Franklin, MI/Groves
Amherst, NY/Amherst Central/Erie CC
Los Angeles, CA/Ontario HS/West Los Angeles JC
Cincinnati, OH/Madeira
Macomb Township, MI/Eisenhower
Bronx, NY/DeWitt-Clinton
Erie, PA/Erie Central
Hempstead, NY/Uniondale
Amherst, NY/Williamsville North
Bellport, NY/Bellport
Belvidere, NJ/Belvidere
Buffalo, NY/St. Francis
Howard, PA/Bellefonte
Apalachin, NY/Owego Free Academy
Erie, PA/McDowell
Miami, FL/Coral Reef
Southport, CT/St. Joseph’s
Downingtown, PA/Downingtown
Copley, OH/Copley
Elizabeth, NJ/Elizabeth HS/Hun School
Webster, NY/Webster
Newark, DE/Newark
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 12
2002 Recruiting Class
WILSHAWN ADKINS
WIDE RECEIVER • 6-4 • 200
FR. • FORT LAUDERDALE, FL • STRANAHAN HS
Excellent athlete who averaged nearly 20 yards per catch as a
senior at Stranahan HS where he played for coach Vince
Schiavo...earned three letters...elected to play in the BCAA AllStar game...also excels in the 400-meter dash.
DOUG ANDERWKAVICH
TE/DL • 6-6 • 265
FR. • QUEENS , NY • HOLY CROSS HS
Excelled on both sides of the ball for coach Tom Pugh, earning
four letters and serving as captain of the Knights of Holy
Cross...had 16 catches for 250 yards as a senior and accumulated four sacks on defense...an All-New York City selection by
both the New York Daily News and Newsday...also earned AllCatholic League honors.
DELANDO BRADFORD
DB • 5-10 • 177
FR. • FRANKLIN, MI • GROVES HS
Earned three letters for coach Brendan Flaherty at corner, free
safety, wide receiver and kick returner...helped team to 14-6
record in his final two seasons...had four interceptions in his senior season...first-team All-Area selection as senior...All-League
selection two seasons...helped the Falcons to the state playoffs
his final three seasons...a standout sprinter on the track team.
RASHAD CLARK
DE• 6-4 • 240
JR. • LOS ANGELES, CA • ONTARIO HS
WEST LOS ANGELES JC
Enrolled as a mid-year semester transfer in January and will be
eligible for spring practice...played both ways for head coach
Rob Hager at West Los Angeles Junior College...an honorable
mention All-State player at Ontario HS, earning three letters and
earning All-Conference and team MVP honors...participated in
the East-West All-Star game...entered the United States Marine
Corps following high school graduation before returning to
school...will turn 25 in July.
CHRIS CLIFTON
LB • 6-3 • 237
JR. • AMHERST, NY • AMHERST CENTRAL
ERIE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
First transfer from Dennis Greene’s Erie Community College
program which finished 8-2 in its first season in 2001...a firstteam All-Western New York selection at Amherst Central for
coach Kevin Lester and an All-State selection as well...originally
attended Rutgers before transferring back home to attend
ECC...led the Kats in tackles with over 80 tackles, 6.5 tackles
for loss, a sack, two pass breakups and returned an interception
90 yards for a touchdown versus Hudson Valley.
BRYAN CUMMINGS
LB • 6-3 • 215
FR. • CINCINNATI, OH • MADEIRA HS
A four-year letterman and captain for coach Tim Viox who helped
the Mustangs of Madeira to 14 wins in his final two years...set
the career mark with 457 tackles in his career, including 140
stops as a senior...also had 1,160 yards rushing as a fullback and
earned All-Cincinnati honors as a senior...also a standout on the
baseball (catcher, right fielder) and wrestling teams (state qualifier).
JOE DIGIORGIO
QB/DB • 6-1 • 205
FR. • MACOMB TOWNSHIP, MI • EISENHOWER HS
Named to Detroit Free Press Dream Team and as one of the
state’s Top 50 players after passing for 2,186 yards, rushing for
930 yards and excelling at safety...threw for 25 touchdowns and
ran for 18 as a senior and played 42 consecutive games with the
varsity for coach Bob Lantzy...the Eagles were 25-3 in his final
two years and advanced to the state finals all three
seasons...Macomb County Player of the Year and an All-State
selection...also a two-year offensive MVP on the baseball team
as a center fielder and shortstop.
RAMON GUZMAN
FB/LB • 6-2 • 218
FR. • BRONX, NY • DEWITT-CLINTON HS
A four-year letterman for coach Ed Gardella who stood out on
both sides of the ball...rushed for 1,076 yards (with a 10.3 yard
average) on offense while registering 125 tackles...an All-New
York City selection and the runner-up as the Daily News Player
of the Year...also earned three letters in track and one in wrestling for the Governors of DeWitt-Clinton.
ANTONIO JONES
DB • 6-1 • 200
FR. • ERIE, PA • ERIE CENTRAL HS
Versatile athlete who averaged 16.6 yards per catch on offense
and made 82 tackles on defense for coach Pat DiPaolo as a
senior...career leader in receptions and kickoff return average
(32.4)...also holds school records in the 110 high hurdles and
the long jump...a two-time All-City selection and an AllAllegheny County pick as a senior.
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 13
2002 Recruiting Class
STEVEN KING
RB • 6-0 • 190
FR. • HEMPSTEAD, NY • UNIONDALE HS
A two-time All-County and All-Conference selection for coach
Greg Johnson for the Knights of Uniondale...rushed for 1,188
yards as a senior on just 130 carries (9.1 average) and was selected to play in the Outback Bowl featuring the best of Long
Island vs. New York City...named team MVP...also has lettered
in basketball and track, where he has also twice been an AllConference selection.
CHRIS McDUFFIE
RB • 5-10 • 180
FR. • AMHERST, NY • WILLIAMSVILLE NORTH
A four-year letterwinner for coach Mike Mammoliti at nearby
Willliamsville North...set school record for most yards in a season (1,512) and career (4,663) as well as total tackles...an AllState and All-Western New York selection who was a Connolly
Cup (top player in WNY) finalist as a senior...was twice named
captain for the Spartans at Williamsville North...cousin of current UB safety J.J. Gibson and is third McDuffie to play at UB,
following brothers Steve (1994-96) and Teddy (1997)...had 14
touchdowns as a senior and also was part of state finalist 4x100meter relay team in track as a junior.
KEVIN MOODT
OL • 6-6 • 260
FR. • BELLPORT, NY • BELLPORT
An All-State and All-Long Island selection by Newsday for coach
Joe Cipp, Jr...helped the Clippers earn the Long Island title and
post a 21-1 record over his final two seasons...an All-Conference and All-State selection who has been selected to play in
both the Outback Bowl (Long Island vs. NYC) and the
Governor’s Bowl (New York vs. New Jersey)...led an offensive
line that saw Clipper backs rush for 2,803 yards on the ground
and rush for 37 touchdowns...also earned two letters in lacrosse.
JARED PATTERSON
RB • 6-2 • 205
FR. • BELVIDERE, NJ • BELVIDERE HS
A four-year letterwinner who ran for 1,829 yards and scored 26
touchdowns for coach Tony Villante at Belvidere...excellent speed
as evidenced by his winning the Group I state championship in
the 100 meters...a first-team All-West Jersey selection and second-team All-State pick...set school career record with over 3,200
yards on the ground.
season...set school career records for passing yardage (4,390),
completions (307) and touchdowns (50) while setting single-season marks in yards (2,408), completions (163) and touchdowns
(22) as a senior...earned Don Majkowski Award as top area quarterback and was All-Western New York and second-team AllState...also a part of the WNY All-Academic team...led team to a
7-3 mark as a senior while accounting for 29 touchdowns.
STEWART SAMPSEL
QB • 6-3 • 180
FR. • HOWARD, PA • BELLEFONTE HS
Excellent two-way athlete for coach Tom Gravish at Bellefonte
HS...threw for 1,836 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior and
also set a school record with 13 interceptions as a free safety...a
first-team All-Conference selection and a two-year captain of
the Red Raiders...has also played on the basketball team.
TIM SCHMIDT
OL • 6-6 • 270
FR. • APALACHIN, NY • OWEGO FREE ACADEMY
A second-team All-State selection for coach Tim McDonald at
Owego Free Academy...chosen to participate in the Ernie Davis
All-Star Game and as a senior was an All-Tioga and All-Metro
selection...a member of the Academic All-Star team, he has also
earned two letters on the Indians basketball team.
RYAN SHERWOOD-ERICSSON
RB/DB • 6-1 • 200
FR. • ERIE, PA • MCDOWELL HS
A versatile athlete who excelled on offense, defense, and special
teams (third-team All-State as a punter)...helped McDowell to a
7-4 record as a senior for coach Jon Cacchione while setting a
school record for rushing yards...had 1,050 rushing yards as a
senior while earning All-Conference and All-Metro honors for
the Trojans...had the top scholastic throw in the country in the
javelin last year (228-10) while winning the PIAA Class AAA
championship.
BRANDON SMITH
DB • 5-10 • 175
FR. • MIAMI, FL • CORAL REEF HS
An All-Dade County selection for coach Earnest Perkins at Coral
Reef High School...also an outstanding return man for the Barracudas, he was named his team’s Outstanding Defensive Back
while earning two letters...a teammate of current redshirt linebacker Richard Sanders on the Bulls.
MICHAEL RADON
QB • 6-1 • 175
FR. • BUFFALO, NY • ST. FRANCIS HS
A three-year letterwinner for coach Jerry Smith who claimed the
Connolly Cup as Western New York’s top player after his senior
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 14
2002 Recruiting Class
CHAD UPSHAW
TE • 6-4 • 238
FR. • SOUTHPORT, CT • ST. JOSEPH’S HS
KEVIN WIGGINS
DL • 6-2 • 290
FR. • NEWARK, DE • NEWARK HS
A versatile athlete who had 25 receptions for 490 yards and three
touchdowns for coach Joe Dellavecchia at St. Joseph’s...a Connecticut Post All-Area selection, he earned three letters in football while also earning All-Conference honors in both basketball and baseball...son of former Major League baseball player
Willie Upshaw, who spent most of his career with the Toronto
Blue Jays.
Named the Delaware Lineman of the Year after leading Newark
to back-to-back state championships as a junior and senior...a
two-time All-State selection for coach Butch Simpson, earning
two letters and serving as captain as a senior...has also participated in basketball and rugby in his prep career.
JAMES VANN
DB • 6-2 • 180
FR. • DOWNINGTOWN, PA • DOWNINGTOWN HS
Defensive leader of coach Jack Helm’s Downingtown team that
posted a 20-4 record in his final two seasons...had 10 career interceptions for the Whippets, including three as a senior, two
which he returned for touchdowns...a three-year letterwinner who
earned All-Area kudos and second-team Philadelphia Daily News
All-Suburban honors.
LEONARD WASHINGTON
DL • 6-2 • 230
FR. • COPLEY, OH • COPLEY HS
An All-State and All-Northeast Ohio selection for coach Dan
Boarman at Copley HS...had 12 sacks and 34 tackles as a senior,
including 17 tackles for loss as a defensive end...earned two letters while being selected first-team All-Suburban Cleveland...has
also earned All-Conference honors in basketball.
BRIAN WATSON
WR • 6-5 • 210
FR. • ELIZABETH, NJ • ELIZABETH HS
THE HUN PREPATORY SCHOOL
Emerging player who has competed in football for less than two
seasons...played for coach Dave Dudek at the Hun School in
Princeton, NJ...has also participated in basketball at Hun as well
as earning several letters in high school...led the Hun School
with 28 receptions for 616 yards (22.0 per catch) and scored five
touchdowns...had eight sacks and an interception on defense.
GERRY WEISSINGER
OL • 6-5 • 290
FR. • WEBSTER, NY • WEBSTER HS
Hulking offensive lineman who helped Webster to the Class AA
New York State Championship last season while starring at tackle
and nose guard for coach Anthony Bianchi...also helped the basketball team to a Section V title and was an All-County selection
in the shot put, earning two letters in track and field...plans to
major in Biomedical Engineering...former teammate of current
redshirt freshman Mike Schifano.
2002 UB Recruiting Breakdown
By State/Country
New York................................................................. 9
Pennsylvania............................................................ 4
Ohio ......................................................................... 2
Michigan.................................................................. 2
Florida...................................................................... 2
New Jersey............................................................... 2
Connecticut.............................................................. 1
California................................................................. 1
Delaware.................................................................. 1
By Position*
Defensive Backs ...................................................... 7
Running Backs......................................................... 5
Offensive Linemen .................................................. 4
Defensive Linemen.................................................. 4
Linebackers.............................................................. 4
Quarterbacks............................................................ 3
Wide Receivers........................................................ 3
Tight ends ................................................................ 2
*some players slated in multiple positions
By Previous Schools
High School Seniors .............................................. 22
Junior College Transfers.......................................... 2
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 15
2001 Season Review
Bulls Make Great Progress in 2001
Defense shows huge improvement; Bulls finish strong down the stretch
Jim Hofher handed a card to his
2001 football team on the day he was
hired as the 22nd head coach of the
University at Buffalo.
On the front it said:
Actions speak louder than words.
On the back it said:
“Be the hardest working, best
conditioned, most professional team
on our schedule.”
Hofher’s Bulls obviously took
notice. Buffalo not only got themselves in the best physical condition
of their lives but they learned how to
work hard in both the weight room
and on the field. The result was
tremendous improvement and
several milestone victories as
Buffalo earned respect in both the
Mid-American Conference and on a
national level.
Buffalo also proved another
Hofher axiom correct – a good
football team improves every week
Craig Rohlfs
throughout the season. The Bulls
saved their best for last, putting
together their first two-game winning streak since rejoining the ranks
of I-A in 1999 with a 44-0 pasting of
MAC rival Ohio and a shocking 2619 win at Army in front of nearly
30,000 screaming cadets at West
Point.
“The quest never ends for trying to
improve and trying to find an
answer,” said Hofher after the
season. “Several different hurdles
that had not been overcome were this
season. Our road losing streak
ended, and we not only won one
road game, but two. Our streak of
not winning on artificial turf and not
winning outside of our conference
also came to an end. Our victory
over Ohio was the largest margin of
victory in any Mid-American
Conference game.”
In summary, the Bulls of 2001:
√ Claimed the most wins since
Buffalo joined the MAC in 1999.
√ Broke an 18-game losing streak
on the road with a decisive 37-20
win at Connecticut, a team that had
beaten Buffalo five of the last six
seasons.
√ Broke a 16-game losing streak
on artificial surfaces with a 26-19
win at Army in front of the largest
crowd to ever see a Bulls’ win.
√ Claimed the first shutout over a
MAC team with a 44-0 throttling of
Ohio – a team that had beaten
Buffalo by a combined scored of
137-26 in its previous three meetings.
The Buffalo defense was the
Marquis Dwarte
biggest story in a team full of
improvements. The Bulls saw major
progress in every statistical category
and finished the season ranked fourth
in the MAC in total defense and 18th
in the nation in pass defense.
“Our greatest amount of improvement statistically came on the
defensive side of the ball,” said
Hofher. “In 2000, there were seven
games in which the opposition
scored over 40 points. This season
that happened only once. To go from
a total of 452 points yielded to only
allowing 286 points – that’s a 166point difference, which amounts to
15.1 points per game. That’s a
dramatic improvement. We finished
45th in the country in total defense.”
Buffalo’s defense was paced by the
play of a mix of young and old
defenders. Senior Bobby Johnson
(Santa Ana, CA/Trabuco Hills) and
redshirt freshman J.J. Gibson
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 16
2001 Season Review
(Amherst, NY/Sweet Home) became
the first UB duo to each record 100
tackles since 1995.
Johnson racked up a team-high 112
tackles, including 11/2 sacks, two
fumble recoveries, a forced fumble
and a blocked kick. Gibson, meanwhile, had 108 stops – including 65
solo tackles (the fourth-best single
season total in school history) – a
record for a freshman. Gibson also
forced two fumbles.
Senior free safety Craig Rohlfs
(Cincinnati, OH/Moeller) earned
second-team All-MAC honors while
leading the team with four interceptions, including a pair in the huge
win at Army.
Buffalo also got a big season from
senior defensive end Chris Shelly
(Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler). Shelly
ranked among the MAC leaders in
tackles for loss (14 for 47 yards) and
recorded 56 tackles and a team-high
31/2 sacks.
Another young player with a bright
future was sophomore linebacker
Lamar Wilcher (Ossining, NY/
Maurice Bradford
Senior Albert Grundy scored four touchdowns
Ossining) who recorded 70 tackles,
including 10 for loss, and recorded a
pair of fumble recoveries in just nine
games.
Cornerbacks Mike Lambert
(Syracuse, NY/Jamesville-DeWitt) –
a junior – and Mark Graham
(Monroe, MI/Monroe) – a sophomore – each started all 11 games and
had outstanding years as Buffalo
ranked second in the MAC in pass
defense.
Lambert had three interceptions
and nine pass breakups while
Graham had a pair of hijacks and 10
pass breakups.
Offensively, Buffalo showed
excellent balance behind a young
offensive line that got better as the
season progressed.
Buffalo’s front five featured just
one senior – left guard Tim Hedges
(Tonawanda, NY/Kenmore East) –
but more than doubled its rushing
output over the second half of the
season.
Tackles Andy Avery (Rochester
Hills, MI/Adams) and Jeff Mills
(Wilkes-Barre, PA/Coughlin), center
Eric Weber (Canandaigua, NY/
Canandaigua) and right guard Erik
Zeppuhar (Allison Park, PA/Shaler)
all have at least two years of eligibility remaining and started all 11
games together in 2001. The beneficiaries of the unit’s increased cohesion was a multi-faceted backfield
which featured Marquis Dwarte
(Baltimore, MD/Perry Hall),
Derrick Gordon (Brooklyn, NY/
August Martin), Albert Grundy
(Springfield, PA/Springfield) and
Tom Shaughnessy (LeRoy, NY/
LeRoy).
Dwarte was the team’s leading
rusher for the second straight year,
piling up 546 yards on 141 carries
and scoring a team-high seven
touchdowns – six via the ground.
Dwarte had 150 yards rushing and
three touchdowns at Connecticut in
UB’s 37-20 win.
Gordon, meanwhile, finished in the
top 10 all-time in rushing attempts
and yardage while rambling for 486
yards on 113 carries and scoring
three times. Gordon’s high point
came with a career-high 137-yard
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 17
2001 Season Review
Joe Freedy
effort versus four-time MAC champion Marshall.
Grundy, meanwhile, hit paydirt
four times while running for 227
yards. Shaughnessy did not have a
carry on the season, but his punishing blocking allowed UB’s three
tailbacks to combine for 1,259 yards
and 13 touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Joe Freedy
(Bethel Park, PA/Bethel Park)
finished a productive career by
ranking among the top three all-time
in pass attempts (2nd, 1,008),
completions (2nd, 522), passing
yards (3rd, 5,892) and touchdowns
(3rd, 32).
Freedy also saved his best for last,
earning MAC Offensive Player of
the Week honors by hitting 25-of-38
passes for 296 yards versus Ohio and
engineering the game-winning fourth
quarter drive at Army. He finished
his career with 33 straight starts and
threw for 2,077 yards as a senior
with 10 touchdowns.
Freedy’s favorite target in 2001
was junior tight end Chad Bartoszek
(Salamanca, NY/Salamanca).
Bartoszek led all MAC tight ends in
receptions (42), yards (441) and
touchdowns (four) while ranking
among the top seven nationally in
receptions at his position.
Juniors Maurice Bradford
(Binghamton, NY/Binghamton) and
Andre Forde (Penfield, NY/
Penfield) also had productive
seasons, while freshman Matt
Knueven (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle)
was one of UB’s most pleasant
surprises.
Forde had a team-leading 23
receptions before suffering a seasonending broken collarbone at Kent
State in week seven. Bradford and
Knueven, meanwhile, were second
on the team with 35 receptions each
and combined for four touchdown
catches.
UB’s special teams were outstanding in 2001 as well. Sophomore
kicker Dallas Pelz (Holland, NY/St.
Francis) was twice named MAC
East Special Teams Player of the
Week while hitting 12-of-18 field
goals, the second most in school
history for a single season.
Pelz had three field goals in a win
at Connecticut to earn his first MAC
honor and followed that up by tying
the school record with four field
goals at Army – including a careerbest 50-yarder – in a 26-19 win.
Punter Scott McMahan (Santa
Ana, CA/Oceanview) made an
instant impact as a junior college
transfer by averaging 38.9 yards per
punt and having 21 punts unreturned
(four fair catches and 17 punts
downed inside the 20).
In all, the Bulls showed marked
improvement in all areas as a football team in 2001 and sent a message
to the MAC and the nation that they
were a team with great promise.
“I think we’ve got to look at our
strides in terms of inches, feet, and
maybe yards, and keep working in
that direction for improvement,” said
Hofher. “We have made quite a bit of
improvement, but we have plenty
left to go.
“We’ve got some good young
players who are on the front-end of
their careers, not really having begun
their real playing careers. Those
guys are prepared to step in. We
should be a much more instinctive
team next year because our guys will
be doing what they do for a second
straight year. That’s when players
become good and teams get good.
“Right now our staff knows every
guy in our football program a lot
more so than we did last year at this
time. They know the plays better
now, and know what we expect from
them. I think we’re certainly ahead
of where we were at this time a year
ago.”
And the Bulls plan on letting their
actions speak loudly again in 2002.
Derrick Gordon
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 18
2001 Season Review
BULLS GETTING STINGIER : The Bulls
allowed 166 fewer points (452 to 286) in
2001, dropping their average from 41.1
points per game given up to 26.0.
The 286 points is the fewest given up
by a Buffalo team since the 1996 team
gave up 241 points during an 8-3
campaign.
In addition, the Bulls have consistently
ranked among the Top 20 in the nation in
pass defense throughout the season and
the Top 50 in total defense.
UB DEFENSE TOUGH IN THE RED ZONE:
The Bulls showed great improvement not
only in the number of times teams got in
the Red Zone, but also in how they fared.
The Bulls stopped opponents on
downs five times this season, including
three of them inside the five-yard line.
Buffalo also saw opponents miss eight
field goals and created two fumbles to
thwart other drives.
A comparison from 2000 to 2001:
Year Opp. in 20 Scores Score%TD%
2000
55
45
81.8% 69.1%
2001
42
29
69.0% 47.6%
HATS OFF TO THE HOGS: Buffalo’s young
offensive line improved steadily throughout the season, in part because all five of
the front liners started every game
together in 2001.
The starting unit of (from left tackle
across) Andy Avery (Rochester Hills,
MI/Rochester Adams), Tim Hedges
(Buffalo, NY/Kenmore East), Eric
Weber (Canandaigua, NY/
Canandaigua), Erik Zeppuhar (Allison
Park, PA/Shaler) and Jeff Mills
(Wilkes Barre, PA/Coughlin) were
augmented by a pair of seniors John
Nolan (Lenexa, KS/Shawnee Mission)
and Brian
Johnessee
(Frewsburg, NY/
Frewsburg).
That unit greatly
improved UB’s
running game over
the second half of
the season, more
than doubling its
average per game for the second half of
the season.
Running game
Yards per game
Weeks 1-5
70.6 ypg
Weeks 6-11
149.5 ypg
STREAK STOPPERS: The Bulls put to rest
two long and inglorious streaks this
season.
The first was an 18-game losing streak
on the road that dated back to September
1998. That ended when the Bulls blitzed
Connecticut, 37-20, back on Sept. 22.
The second was a 14-game losing
streak on artificial surfaces which ended
with a 26-19 win at Army on Nov. 10.
The only major hurdle left for Buffalo –
a road win in the MAC – can’t happen
until next year as UB finished 2-4 on the
road this season.
Buffalo also won back-to-back games
for the first time since returning to
Division I-A in 1999, posted their first
shutout in the MAC (44-0 over Ohio)
and won a road game at nationallyrespected Army.
SCORING FIRST MATTERED: Buffalo was 30 when scoring the first points of the
game in 2001 and 0-8 when the opponent
struck first.
INDIVIDUAL HONORS : Here is a look at
some notable individual accomplishments in 2001:
• Junior tight end Chad Bartoszek
(Salamanca, NY/Salamanca) led all
MAC tight ends in receptions with 42 for
441 yards.
Bartoszek also became the first Bull
since Chris Behan in 1993 to lead
Buffalo in receptions from the tight end
position. Bartoszek also led the Bulls in
touchdown grabs with four and will enter
his senior season as a candidate for the
John Mackey Award presented annually
to the nation’s top tight end.
• Redshirt freshman J.J. Gibson
(Amherst, NY/Sweet Home) set a
school record for tackles by a freshman
(108), and his 65 solo tackles rank fourth
all-time for a single season in school
history. Gibson and teammate Bobby
Johnson (Santa
Ana, CA/Trabuco
Hills) became the
first UB pair to
record over 100
tackles in a season
since Craig Guest
and Pete Conley
achieved the feat in
J.J. Gibson
1995.
Johnson, meanwhile, finished with 112
total tackles – eighth best all-time – in
his final season. Johnson’s 67 assisted
stops rank ninth all-time for a single
season.
• Sophomore kicker Dallas Pelz
(Holland, NY/St. Francis) was twice
named the MAC East Division Special
Teams Player of the Week and booted the
second-most field goals in a season (12)
in school history.
Among his season highlights was a
four field goal outing at Army where his
50-yard field goal ranked as the seventhlongest in school history. Pelz was
named Special Teams Player of the Week
after both of UB’s road wins and was 11of-13 on the road in field goals and 12for-18 overall.
• Senior defensive end Chris Shelly
(Pittsburgh, PA/Shaler) was among the
most productive defensive linemen in the
MAC and led Buffalo with 3.5 sacks and
14 tackles for loss.
The 14 TFLs tied him for sixth-best
all-time in a season and he finished his
career with 31 stops behind the line of
scrimmage. Shelly is Buffalo’s candidate
for the Mid-American Conference’s Vern
Smith Award, given to the league’s MVP.
• Senior free safety Craig Rohlfs
rebounded from an injury-plagued junior
season to emerge again as one of the
MAC’s top safeties.
Rohlfs finished third in the MAC with
four interceptions and also had an 82yard return for a score in the season
opener versus Rutgers.
Rohlfs' interception return was the
third longest in UB history and Buffalo's
first interception return for a score since
the final game of the 1998 season (22
games). Rohlfs was involved in an
Tim Hedges
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 19
2001 Season Review
impressive 18 turnovers (10 interceptions/5 fumble recoveries/3 forced
fumbles) during his UB career.
Rohlfs also finished his UB career
10th all-time in total tackles (254) and
third all-time in solo stops (154) despite
missing six games in his final two years
to injuries.
• True freshman Matt Knueven
(Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle) emerged as a
playmaker during his first season in the
Blue & White.
Knueven finished
tied for second on
the team with 35
receptions and was
part of a one-two
punch of newcomers at wideout –
along with Maurice
Bradford
(Binghamton, NY/
Matt Knueven
Binghamton) – that
emerged this
season.
With the return from injury by junior
Andre Forde (Penfield, NY/Penfield)
next year, Buffalo will return its top six
pass catchers from 2001.
• Buffalo’s secondary was extremely
active and helped Buffalo to Top 20
status in pass defense in the nation.
Besides the outstanding play of
safeties Rohlfs and Gibson, cornerbacks
Mark Graham (Monroe, MI/Monroe)
and Mike Lambert (Syracuse, NY/
Jamesville-DeWitt) played solid
football all season for the Bulls.
Graham and Lambert each finished
with 12 pass breakups with Graham
contributing two interceptions and 10
passes defended while Lambert had a
career-best three interceptions and nine
passes defended.
• Sophomore Andy Avery (Rochester
Hills, MI/Adams) was a member of the
District I Verizon Academic AllAmerican team. Avery had a 3.77 GPA
through the spring of 2001, while
pursuing a double major in Psychology
and Pre-Med. He was admitted to UB’s
Honors Program as a freshman.
THE START CHART
The following list includes all players expected to
return in 2002 with their total number of career
starts. The number in parentheses are consecutive starts:
Mike Lambert .................................................. 17 (11)
Andre Forde .......................................................... 16
Mark Graham ................................................ 15 (15)
Andy Avery ....................................................... 11 (11)
Eric Weber ........................................................ 11 (11)
Erik Zeppuhar .................................................. 11 (11)
Jeff Mills ........................................................... 11 (11)
Chad Bartoszek ............................................... 11 (11)
J.J. Gibson ........................................................ 11 (11)
Scott McMahan ............................................... 11 (11)
Dallas Pelz ....................................................... 11 (11)
Marquis Dwarte ................................................... 10
Matt Baniewicz ..................................................... 10
Maurice Bradford ............................................. 9 (9)
Lamar Wilcher .................................................. 8 (2)
Matt Knueven ................................................... 7 (5)
Marvin Brereton .................................................... 5
Dahnel Singfield .................................................... 5
Tom Shaughnessy ............................................ 5 (4)
Marcus Clarett .................................................. 4 (3)
Dan Lindsay ........................................................... 3
Kevin Dunn ............................................................ 2
Ryan Buttles ........................................................... 2
Anthony Andriano .................................................. 1
QUICKIE STATS
Buffalo’s record is:
When leading at the half .................................. 2-0
When trailing at the half .................................... 1-7
When tied at the half .......................................... 0-1
When leading after three quarters ................... 2-1
When trailing after three quarters .................... 0-7
When tied after three quarters ......................... 1-0
When scoring first ............................................. 3-0
When opponent scores first ............................. 0-8
When running more plays than opponent ..... 3-2
When opponent runs more plays ................... 0-6
When committing more turnovers .................. 0-4
When committing less turnovers ..................... 3-2
When turnovers are even ................................. 0-2
When committing at least two turnovers ......... 1-7
When committing less than two turnovers ...... 2-1
When winning time of possession .................. 3-2
When opponent wins time of possession ...... 0-6
When running 70 or more off. plays ............... 3-4
When running less than 70 off. plays ............. 0-4
Rushing for 200 yards or more ......................... 1-0
Rushing for less than 200 yards ...................... 2-8
When passing for 200 yards or more ............. 2-2
When passing for less than 200 yards ............ 1-6
Gaining more total yards than opponent ....... 2-0
Gaining less total yards than opponent .......... 1-8
Playing at home ................................................. 1-4
Playing on the road .......................................... 2-4
Playing on natural grass .................................. 2-6
Third Down Efficiency
Opponent
Result
Rutgers
3-14
Bowling Green
4-16
UConn
10-20
C. Michigan
4-15
Miami
6-17
Marshall
6-13
Kent State
4-15
E. Michigan
7-19
Ohio
9-15
Army
9-18
Akron
3-11
Totals
65-of-173
Pct.
21.4%
25%
50.0%
26.7%
35.3%
46.1%
26.6%
36.8%
60.0%
50.0%
27.3%
38%
Time of Possession
Opponent
Rutgers
Bowling Green
UConn
C. Michigan
Miami
Marshall
Kent State
E. Michigan
Ohio
Army
Akron
Avg. per game
Buffalo
28:58
23:09
33:53
24:47
28:06
33:49
31:32
30:13
25:58
32:32
25:03
28:55
Opp.
31:02
36:51
26:07
35:33
31:54
26:11
28:28
29:47
34:02
27:28
34:53
31:05
Diff.
-2:04
-13:42
+7:46
-11:14
-3:48
-7:38
+3:04
+:26
+8:44
+5:04
-9:50
-2:50
Number of Plays
Opponent
Rutgers
Bowling Green
UConn
C. Michigan
Miami
Marshall
Kent State
E. Michigan
Ohio
Army
Akron
Totals
Buffalo
65
62
86
60
71
71
72
80
83
76
75
791
Opp.
68
76
57
93
72
85
60
68
56
72
65
782
Diff.
-3
-14
+29
-33
-1
-14
+12
+12
+27
+4
-10
+9
Turnover Breakdown
Opponent
Rutgers
Bowling Green
UConn
C. Michigan
Miami
Marshall
Kent State
E. Michigan
Ohio
Army
Akron
Totals
Buffalo
2
3
2
3
2
3
3
0
1
0
3
22
Opp.
3
0
3
1
2
3
1
1
3
3
0
20
Diff.
+1
-3
+1
-2
E
E
-2
+1
+2
+3
-3
-2
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 20
2001 Statistics
GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS (3-8, 1-7 IN MAC)
Date Opponent
W/L
8/30
Rutgers
L
9/8
at Bowling Green*
L
9/22
at Connecticut
W
9/29
Central Michigan*
L
10/6
at Miami (OH)*
L
10/13 Marshall*
L
10/20 at Kent State*
L
10/27 at Eastern Michigan*
L
11/3
Ohio*
W
11/10 at Army
W
11/17 Akron*
L
*Mid-American Conference games
°UB Stadium record
Score Attendance
31-15
22,658°
35-0
16,183
37-20
16,517
16-8
10,930
31-14
20,108
34-14
12,438
35-13
8,260
24-20
7,320
44-0
7,419
26-19
26,883
41-14
7,811
TEAM STATISTICS
UB
SCORING
205
Points per game
18.6
FIRST DOWNS
208
Rushing
74
Passing
107
By Penalty
27
RUSHING YARDAGE
1250
Yards gained rushing
1574
Yards lost rushing
324
Rushing attempts
384
Average per rush
3.3
Average per game
113.6
TD’s Rushing
13
PASSING YARDAGE
2230
Att/Comp/Int.
407-202-15
Percentage
49.6
Average per pass
5.5
Average per catch
11.0
Average per game
202.7
TD’s Passing
10
TOTAL OFFENSE
3480
Total plays
791
Average per play
4.4
Average per game
316.4
Kickoff Returns: No.-Yards
43-752
Kickoff Return Average
17.5
Punt Returns: No.-Yds
30-286
Punt Return Average
9.5
Interception Return Avg.
13.7
Fumbles-Lost
14-7
Penalties-Yards
68-467
Penalty average per game
42.5
Punts-Yards
68-2642
Average per punt/net avg.
38.9/32.1
Time of Possession Per Game 28:55
Field Goals Made-Attempts
12-18
PATs Made-Attempts
19-21
3rd Down Conversions/Pct. 65-173/38%
4th Down Conversions/Pct. 4-12/33%
Sacks by-Yards lost
12-80
Attendance (No./Avg.)
5/12,251
Opponents
286
26.0
216
112
97
7
1951
2199
248
481
4.1
177.4
16
1980
301-182-12
60.4
6.5
10.9
180.0
14
3931
782
5.0
357.4
32-635
19.8
33-462
14.0
14.2
16-8
86-737
67.0
56-2284
40.8/35.7
31:05
12-19
32-32
66-164/40%
10-18/56%
26-181
6/15,879
RUSHING
Player
Marquis Dwarte
Derrick Gordon
Albert Grundy
Andre Forde
Randall Secky
Joe Freedy
Team
Bulls totals
Opponent totals
No. Yds Neg Net
141
588
42 546
113
513
27 486
51
233
6 227
1
11
0
11
9
24
24
0
64
205 215 019
5
0
10
-10
384 1574 324 1250
481 2199 248 1951
Avg TDLng
3.9
6 23
4.3
3 38
4.5
4 50
11.0
0 11
0.0
0 9
-0.2
0 20
-2.0
0 0
3.3 13 50
4.1 16 54
RECEIVING
Player
Chad Bartoszek
Maurice Bradford
Matt Knueven
Andre Forde
Dan Lindsay
Marquis Dwarte
Ruben Vargas
Zeke McKine
Derrick Gordon
Albert Grundy
Tom Shaughnessy
Marvin Brereton
Bulls totals
Opponent totals
No.
42
35
35
23
17
16
12
6
6
5
4
1
202
182
Yds
441
498
443
289
154
84
125
112
37
20
27
0
2230
1980
Avg
10.5
14.2
12.7
12.6
9.1
5.3
10.4
18.7
6.2
4.0
6.8
0.0
11.0
10.9
TD Lng
4 32
2 44
2 50
0 31
1 23
1 19
0 18
0 47
0 15
0
7
0
9
0
0
10 50
14 54
TOTAL OFFENSE
Player
Joe Freedy
Marquis Dwarte
Derrick Gordon
Randall Secky
Albert Grundy
Andre Forde
Bulls totals
Opponent totals
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Overtime
Totals
Average
GP Plays Rush
11
435
-10
10
141
546
11
113
486
4
44
0
7
51
227
7
1
11
11
791 1250
11
782 1951
Pass
2077
0
0
153
0
0
2230
1980
SCORE BY QUARTERS
UB
25
58
40
82
0
205
18.6
Total Yds/Gm
2067
187.9
546
54.6
486
44.2
153
38.3
227
32.4
11
1.6
3480
316.4
3931
357.4
Opponents
72
112
36
66
0
286
26.0
Note: Returning players in italics.
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 21
2001 Statistics
ALL-PURPOSE YARDS
PUNTING
Player
No.
Scott McMahan 68
Bulls totals
68
Opp. totals
56
Yds
2642
2642
2284
Player
Rush Rec
Andre Forde
11 289
Marquis Dwarte 546 84
Maurice Bradford
0 498
Derrick Gordon 486 37
Craig Rohlfs
0
0
Matt Knueven
0 443
Chad Bartoszek
0 441
Albert Grundy
227 20
Dan Lindsay
0 154
Ruben Vargas
0 125
Zeke McKine
0 112
J.J. Gibson
0
0
Deonne McClelland 0
0
Tom Shaughnessy 0 27
Mark Graham
0
0
Mike Lambert
0
0
Bobby Johnson
0
0
Bulls totals
1250 2230
Opp. totals
1951 1980
Avg Lng TB FC I-20 Blk
38.9
60 7 4 17 0
38.9
60 7 4 17 0
40.8
74 2 6 12 0
PUNT RETURNS
Player
Craig Rohlfs
Andre Forde
Matt Knueven
Bulls totals
Opponent totals
No.
15
13
2
30
33
Yds
137
135
14
286
462
Avg TD Lng
9.1
0 30
10.4
0 22
7.0
0 15
9.5
0 30
14.0
2 80
KICKOFF RETURNS
Player
Craig Rohlfs
Andre Forde
Maurice Bradford
J.J. Gibson
Matt Knueven
Chad Bartoszek
Albert Grundy
Derrick Gordon
Bulls totals
Opponent totals
No.
16
15
4
3
2
1
1
1
43
32
Yds
290
293
61
68
25
-1
9
7
752
635
Avg
18.1
19.5
15.3
22.7
12.5
-1.0
9.0
7.0
17.5
19.8
TD Lng
0
30
0
32
0
21
0
29
0
15
0
0
0
9
0
7
0
32
0
54
PR KOR IR FR Tot. Avg.
135 293 0 0 728 104.0
0
0 0 0 630 63.0
0
61 0 0 559 50.8
0
7 0 0 530 48.2
137 290101 0 528 52.8
14
25 0 0 482 43.8
0
-1 0 0 440 40.0
0
9 0 0 256 36.6
0
0 0 0 154 14.0
0
0 0 0 125 11.4
0
0 0 0 112 28.0
0
68 0 0 68
6.2
0
0 37 0 37
4.1
0
0 0 0 27
3.0
0
0 12 0 12
1.1
0
0 7 0
7
0.6
0
0 7 0
7
0.6
286 752164 0 4682 425.6
462 635213 0 5241 476.5
PASSING
Player
Joe Freedy
Randall Secky
Team
Bulls totals
Opponent totals
GP
11
4
4
11
11
Att.
371
35
1
407
301
Comp
187
15
0
202
182
Int.
15
0
0
15
12
Player
Dallas Pelz
Bulls totals
Opponent totals
GP
11
11
11
FGM
12
12
12
FGA
18
18
19
1-19
0-0
0-0
2-2
Pct.
50.4
42.9
0.0
49.6
60.5
Yds
2077
153
0
2230
1980
TD
10
0
0
10
14
Long
50
47
0
50
54
Avg./Gm
188.8
38.3
0.0
202.7
180.0
Effic.
98.24
79.58
0.0
96.39
123.10
30-39
8-10
8-10
5-8
40-49
1-5
1-5
3-5
50-99
1-1
1-1
0-1
Long
50
50
44
BLK
1
1
1
FIELD GOALS
20-29
2-2
2-2
2-3
SCORING
Player
Dallas Pelz
Marquis Dwarte
Chad Bartoszek
Albert Grundy
Derrick Gordon
Maurice Bradford
Matt Knueven
Dan Lindsay
Craig Rohlfs
Andre Forde
Joe Freedy
Bulls totals
Opponent totals
TD
0
7
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
0
0
24
36
FGs
12-18
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0-0
12-18
12-19
------------------------PATS--------------------Kick
Rush
Rcv
Pass
19-21
0-0
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
2
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
0-0
0-0
0-0
1
0-0
0-0
0-0
0
3-3
19-21
0-0
3
3-3
32-32
0-0
1
1-4
DXP
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Saf.
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Pts
55
42
28
24
18
12
12
6
6
2
0
205
286
Note: Returning players in italics.
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 22
2001 Statistics
DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
––Tackles---Player
GP Solo
Ast
Bobby Johnson
11
45
67
J.J. Gibson
11
65
43
Craig Rohlfs
10
44
33
Lamar Wilcher
9
36
34
Duane Williams
11
38
26
Chris Shelly
11
24
32
Mark Graham
11
29
26
Mike Lambert
11
25
22
Jamie Guerra
10
20
22
Bob Dzvonick
7
17
12
Brandon Jordan
10
11
17
Youdlain Marcellus 11
13
15
Craig Johnson
11
12
14
Anthony Andriano 10
10
15
Omari Jordan
11
11
13
Ryan Buttles
8
15
5
Rodney Morris
7
5
9
Deonne McClelland 9
7
7
Jason Coley
10
5
8
Demetrius Austrum 6
6
4
Derrick Gordon
11
2
5
Terrance Dawson
5
3
4
Darren Hicks
8
3
3
Kevin McCarthy
7
3
3
Marcus Clarett
4
4
1
Jason Montanez
9
4
0
Terek Henderson
5
0
3
Mark Campanella
4
0
2
Chad Bartoszek
11
1
1
Andre Forde
7
2
0
Dallas Pelz
11
0
2
Hank Pirowski
2
1
0
John Nolan
6
0
1
Adam Johnson
4
0
1
Scott McMahan
11
1
0
Maurice Bradford 11
1
0
Albert Grundy
7
1
0
Ruben Vargas
11
0
1
Andy Avery
11
0
1
Bulls totals
11
465
451
Opponent totals 11
438
366
-------Tackles for loss-----------––Pass Def.--- ----Fumbles----Total
TFL-Yds
Sks
Yds Int-Yds PD Rec-Yds
FF Blks
112
7-14
1.5
6
1-7
4
2-(-3)
1
1
108
2-1
0
0
0-0
2
1-0
2
0
77
4-15
1
10
4-101
7
0
0
0
70
10-14
0.5
5
0
1
2-0
0
0
64
9-19
0.5
3
0
3
0
0
0
56
14-47
3.5
29
0
0
1-0
0
0
55
1-5
0
0
2-12 10
0
0
0
47
3-5
1
3
3-7
9
1-0
0
0
42
9-21
1.5
8
0
0
0
0
0
29
4-5
0
0
0
0
1-0
0
0
28
2-2
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
28
1-1
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
26
3-8
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
25
6-16
1
7
0
0
0
0
0
24
4-11
0.5
5
0
0
0
2
0
20
2-3
0
1-0
1
0
0
0
0
14
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
14
0
0
0
1-37
1
0
0
0
13
1-4
1
4
0
1
0
1
0
10
1-2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
1-2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
1-1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
916
85-196
12
80
12-164 43
8-(-3)
11
1
804
87-301
26
181
15-213 76
8 7-75 10
Sfty
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
Additional Numbers of Note
Red Zone Statistics 2000
Team_____ # IN 20 ___ TD’S ____ FG’S ____ TO’S ____ MFG _ DOWNS/TIME _ TD% ___ SCORE%
Buffalo _____36 ______ 18 _______ 9 ________6 _______ 1 _______ 1 ______ 50% _____75%
Opponents __42 ______ 19 _______ 9 ________2 _______ 5 _______ 5 _____ 45.2% ___ 66.7%
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 23
2001 Statistics
Opponent
Rushing
Passing
Receiving
Punting
Kicking
Defense
Aug. 30
RUTGERS
L, 31-15
Grundy 13-51
Dwarte 7-32
Freedy 21-40-2
180 yards, 1 TD
Bartoszek 5-66
Forde 4-41
Lindsay 3-39, 1 TD
McMahan 11-429 Pelz 0-0
39.0, (long 48) 1-1 PAT's
Gibson (9-1–10)
B. Johnson (6-1–7)
Wilcher (5-1–6, 1 FR)
Sept. 8
at Bowling Green
L, 35-0
Grundy 8-18
Dwarte 8-11
Secky 12-29-0
134 yards, 0 TD
Forde 4-33
Bradford 3-40
McKine 1-47
McMahan 9-351 Pelz 0-0 (34)
39.0, (long 47) 0-0 PAT’s
Wilcher (6-6–12, 2 TFL)
Rohlfs (5-5–10, 1 TFL)
Gibson (5-4–9, 1 TFL)
Sept. 22
Dwarte 25-150, 3
at Connecticut TDs
W, 37-20
Gordon 9-24
Freedy 20-36-0
218 yards, 1 TD
Bradford 6-71, 1 TD
Bartoszek 4-40
McKine 3-31
McMahan 4-171 Pelz 3-3 (36, 32, 37) B. Johnson (3-7–10, 1 INT)
Gibson (7-0–7)
42.8, (long 60) 4-4 PAT’s
Buttles (6-0–6, 1 INT)
Sept. 29
Dwarte 17-75
C. MICHIGAN
L, 16-8
Freedy 17-36-1
194 yards, 1 TD
Forde 5-68
Bartoszek 4-71, TD
Bradford 3-45
McMahan 7-285 Pelz 0-2 (41, 40)
40.7, (long 47) 0-0 PATs
B. Johnson (8-9–17, 1 PD)
Williams (7-5–12, 1 TFL)
Rohlfs (8-3–11, 1 PD)
Oct. 6
Dwarte 21-41
at Miami (OH) Freedy 9-12
L, 31-14
Freedy 17-40-1
194 yards, 1 TD
Knueven 5-77
Vargas 3-36
Bartoszek 3-29, 1 TD
McMahan 7-289 Pelz 0-1 (32)
41.3, (long 49) 0-0 PATs
B. Johnson (3-7–10, 1 FR)
Gibson (6-4–10)
Graham (7-2–9, INT)
Oct. 13
MARSHALL
L 34-14
Gordon 30-137, TD Freedy 16-33-2
Grundy 5-12, TD 207 yards, 0 TD
Forde 5-91
Knueven 3-40
Bartoszek 3-37
McMahan 5-211 Pelz 0-1 (41)
42.2, (long 52) 2-2 PATs
Rohlfs (10-5–15)
Gibson (6-3–9, 1 PD)
Wilcher (5-4–9, 2 TFL, 1 PD)
Oct. 20
at Kent State
L, 35-13
Gordon 22-80
Dwarte 7-35
Freedy 16-34-3
193 yards, 1 TD
Bradford 5-46
Knueven 4-71, TD
Forde 2-30
McMahan 5-210 Pelz 2-2 (33, 33)
42.0, (long 52) 1-1 PATs
Gibson (5-7–12)
B. Johnson (1-9–10, 1 TFL)
Rohlfs (4-5–9)
Freedy 20-45-0
242 yards, 2 TDs
Bartoszek 6-30
Bradford 4-101, TD
Dwarte 3-35, TD
McMahan 7-250 Pelz 2-2 (23, 40)
35.7, (long 41) 2-2 PATs
Gibson (6-6–12)
B. Johnson (4-8–12)
Shelly (4-7–11, 5 TFL)
Gibson (5-6–11, 1 FF, 1 FR)
B. Johnson (6-3–9, 1 sack)
Rohlfs (4-4–8, 1 INT
Oct. 27
Dwarte 22-69
at E. Michigan Freedy 5-38
L, 24-20
Nov. 3
OHIO
W, 44-0
Grundy 13-90, 2 TDs Freedy 25-38-0
Dwarte 18-74, TD
296 yards, 1 TD
Gordon 12-63, 2 TDs
Knueven 7-105, TD
Bartoszek 5-41
Bradford 3-65
McMahan 3-104 Pelz 1-1 (24)
34.7, (long 39) 5-6 PATs
Nov. 10
at Army
W, 26-19
Gordon 18-81
Dwarte 10-47, TD
Grundy 8-34
Freedy 17-30-0
185 yards, 1 TD
Bartoszek 6-63, TD
Bradford 3-51
Knueven 3-40
Nov. 17
AKRON
L, 41-14
Gordon 15-92
Grundy 4-22, TD
Freedy 14-30-3
140 yards, 1 TD
Bradford 5-40
Bartoszek 3-38, TD
Lindsay 3-26
McMahan4-124 Pelz 4-4 (34, 34, 50, Andriano (6-6–12, 2 TFL)
31.0, (long 39) 32)
B. Johnson 5-6–11, 1 TFL
0-1 PATs
Lambert (6-0–6, 3 PBU, INT)
Rohlfs (4-0–4, 2 INTs)
Gibson (7-6–13)
McMahan 6-218 Pelz 0-1 (42)
Wilcher (8-4–12)
36.3, (long 43) 2-2 PATs
B. Johnson (6-3–9, FF, BLK)
– 2001 Football Highlights –
√ The Bulls battled BIG EAST Rutgers before a UB Stadium record crowd of 22,658 fans in the home opener. Quarterback Joe Freedy went over 4,000 career
passing yards in the game.
√ Buffalo broke an 18-game road losing streak and scored their first road win since rejoining the Division I-A ranks with a 37-20 win at Connecticut on 9/22.
Tailback Marquis Dwarte rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns and the Bulls scored 34 unanswered points to rally from a 13-3 halftime deficit in the victory.
Kicker Dallas Pelz hit 3-of-3 field goals and was named MAC East Division Special Teams Player of the Week and offensive tackle Andy Avery was named MAC Male
Scholar Athlete of the Week.
√ Bobby Johnson accumulated 17 tackles in a 16-8 loss to Central Michigan, the most by a Buffalo player since Craig Guest set a school record with 29 vs. Maine
on October 7, 1995.
√ Derrick Gordon ran for a career-best 137 yards on 30 carries in a 34-14 loss to Marshall.
√ Joe Freedy became just the third UB quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a career in a 35-13 loss at Kent State.
√ Senior defensive end Chris Shelly tied a school record with five tackles for loss in a 24-20 loss at Eastern Michigan.
√ The Bulls posted their first shutout since 1998 and set a school record by allowing only two yards passing in a 44-0 win over Ohio. It was the largest victory and
first shutout since Buffalo’s return to Division I-A in 1999.
√ The Bulls posted their first back-to-back wins over I-A competition since 1969 with a come-from-behind, 26-19, win at Army. Craig Rohlfs intercepted two
passes (10 for his career). The crowd on hand (26,883) was the largest to witness a UB victory in school history.
√ Senior Bobby Johnson and freshman J.J. Gibson became the first UB duo since 1995 to both go over the 100-tackle plateau in the season finale versus Akron.
Johnson finished with 112 tackles while Gibson set a freshman record with 108, including 65 solo tackles.
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 24
Key Numbers from the 2001 Season
BULLS AMONG THE MAC/NATIONAL LEADERS
• JOE FREEDY •
√ 4th in the MAC in passing yards per game (188.8)
√ 7th in the MAC in total offense per game (187.9)
√ 9th in the MAC in pass efficiency (98.2)
• SCOTT MCMAHAN •
√ 8th in the MAC in punting average (38.9)
• CRAIG ROHLFS •
√ 6th in the MAC in punt return average (9.1)
√ 8th in the MAC in kickoff return average (18.1)
√ 33rd in the nation/ 3rd in the MAC in interceptions per game (0.40)
• DALLAS PELZ •
√ 36th in the nation/T-3rd in the MAC in field goals per game (1.09)
√ T-7th in the MAC in scoring per game – kicking (5.0)
√ 8th in the MAC in field goal percentage (66.7%)
• CHRIS SHELLY •
√ T-10th in the MAC in tackles for loss per game (1.27)
• LAMAR WILCHER •
√ T-4th in the MAC in fumbles recovered (2)
• MIKE LAMBERT •
√ T-10th in the MAC in passes defended (9 PD + 3 INT = 12)
• BOBBY JOHNSON •
√ 10th in the MAC in tackles per game (10.2)
√ T-4th in the MAC in fumbles recovered (2)
• J.J. GIBSON •
√ T-15th in the MAC in tackles per game (9.7)
•BULLS YEARLY STATISTICAL COMPARISON•
________________________________ 2001 ________ 2000
Points Per Game ____________________18.6 _________16.1
Point Allowed Per game ______________26.0 _________41.1
Rushing Offense Per Game __________ 113.6 ________ 129.9
Passing Offense Per Game ___________ 202.7 ________ 192.5
Total Offense Per Game _____________ 316.4 ________ 322.5
Rushing Defense Per Game __________ 177.4 ________ 209.2
Passing Defense Per Game___________ 180.0 ________ 216.9
Total Defense Per Game_____________ 357.4 ________ 426.1
Kickoff Return Average ______________17.5 _________15.9
Punt Return Average_________________ 9.5 __________12.0
Net Punting________________________32.1 _________29.6
Quarterback sacks-yards lost ________ 26-181 ______ 27-212
Third Down Conversions __________ 65-of-173 ____ 50-of-168
Third Down Percentage _____________ 33% ________ 30%
Fourth Down Conversions __________ 4-of-12 ______ 11-of-28
Fourth Down Percentage ____________ 33% ________ 39%
Turnover Margin Per Game __________ -0.18 ________ -1.64
Penalties-Yards ___________________ 68-467 ______ 66-556
Penalty yards per game_______________42.5 _________50.5
Bulls In the Final MAC Team Rankings
√ 2nd in pass defense (180.0 ypg)
√ 4th in total defense – yards per game (357.4 ypg)
√ 6th in passing offense per game (202.7 ypg)
√ 6th in punt return average (9.5 ypr)
√ 6th in rushing defense per game (177.4 ypg)
√ 7th in scoring defense per game (26.0 ppg)
√ 9th in kickoff return average (17.5 ypr)
√ 9th in turnover margin per game (-0.18)
√ 11th in rushing offense per game (113.6 ypg)
√ 11th in scoring offense per game (18.6 ppg)
√ 11th in total offense per game (316.4 ypg)
√ 13th in net punting per attempt (32.1 ypk)
MAC Honorees
CRAIG ROHLFS , SR., FREE SAFETY – SECOND TEAM ALL-MAC D EFENSE
CHAD BARTOSZEK, JR., TIGHT END - HONORABLE MENTION ALL-MAC O FFENSE
CHRIS SHELLY, SR., DEFENSIVE END – VERN SMITH AWARD FINALIST
JOE FREEDY, SR., QUARTERBACK – OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF WEEK (11/3/01)
DALLAS PELZ, SO., KICKER – S PECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF WEEK (9/22/01, 11/10/01)
2001 UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO GAME-BY-GAME STARTERS
Rutgers
Bowling Green
Connecticut
C. Michigan
Miami, OH
Marshall
Kent State
E. Michigan
Ohio
Army
Akron
– Offense –
LT
LG
C
RG
RT
TE
SE
FL
TB
FB
QB
TE
SE
Avery
Hedges
Weber
Zeppuhar
Mills
Bartoszek
Forde
Lindsay
Grundy
----Freedy
Brereton
----
Avery
Hedges
Weber
Zeppuhar
Mills
Bartoszek
Forde
Lindsay
Grundy
-----Freedy
----McKine
Avery
Hedges
Weber
Zeppuhar
Mills
Bartoszek
Forde
Bradford
Gordon
Shaughnessy
Freedy
---------
Avery
Hedges
Weber
Zeppuhar
Mills
Bartoszek
Forde
Bradford
Dwarte
-----Freedy
-----Knueven
Guerra
C. Johnson
O. Jordan
Shelly
Williams
Wilcher
B. Johnson
Lambert
Graham
Gibson
Rohlfs
Guerra
Dzvonick
O. Jordan
Shelly
B. Jordan
Wilcher
B. Johnson
Lambert
Graham
Gibson
Rohlfs
Geurra
Dzvonick
O. Jordan
Shelly
Williams
Buttles
B. Johnson
Lambert
Graham
Gibson
Rohlfs
Guerra
Dzvonick
O. Jordan
Shelly
Williams
Buttles
B. Johnson
Lambert
Graham
Gibson
Rohlfs
Avery
Avery
Hedges
Hedges
Weber
Weber
Zeppuhar Zeppuhar
Mills
Mills
Bartoszek Bartoszek
Forde
Forde
Bradford
Bradford
Dwarte
Gordon
------Grundy
Freedy
Freedy
--------------Knueven
---------
Avery
Hedges
Weber
Zeppuhar
Mills
Bartoszek
Forde
Bradford
Gordon
-----Freedy
------Knueven
Avery
Avery
Avery
Avery
Hedges
Hedges
Hedges
Hedges
Weber
Weber
Weber
Weber
Zeppuhar
Zeppuhar Zeppuhar Zeppuhar
Mills
Mills
Mills
Mills
Bartoszek
Bartoszek Bartoszek Bartoszek
Bradford
Bradford
Bradford
Bradford
Knueven
Knueven
Knueven
Knueven
Gordon
Gordon
Gordon
Gordon
Shaughnessy ShaughnessyShaughnessyShaughnessy
Freedy
Freedy
Freedy
Freedy
--------------------------------------------------------
– Defense–
DE
NG
DT
DE
OLB
MLB
OLB
CB
CB
SS
FS
Guerra
Guerra
Guerra
Guerra
Guerra
Andriano
Guerra
Dzvonick
Dzvonick
Dzvonick
Dzvonick
Clarett
Clarett
Clarett
O. Jordan O. Jordan
O. Jordan
O. Jordan
O. Jordan O. Jordan O. Jordan
Shelly
Shelly
Shelly
Shelly
Shelly
Shelly
Shelly
Williams
Williams
Williams
Williams
Williams
Williams
Williams
Wilcher
Wilcher
Wilcher
Wilcher
B. Jordan
Wilcher
Wilcher
B. Johnson B. Johnson
B. Johnson B. Johnson B. Johnson B. Johnson B. Johnson
Lambert
Lambert
Lambert
Lambert
Lambert
Lambert
Lambert
Graham
Graham
Graham
Graham
Graham
Graham
Graham
Gibson
Gibson
Gibson
Gibson
Gibson
Gibson
Gibson
Rohlfs
Rohlfs
Rohlfs
Rohlfs
Rohlfs
Rohlfs
Marcellus
Seniors indicated in BOLD
2002 Buffalo Spring Football Prospectusʕ 25