Buffalo Bulls: Aiming for a Repeat of Last Season Against Albany
By Paul Taylor
The Buffalo Bulls opened their 2015 campaign by defeating the Great Danes 51-14 and will be looking for a similar outcome when they kick off the new season on Friday night.
Football analysts are not expecting much from the Buffalo Bulls this season, although they are at least expected to get off to a winning start in their home opener, against Albany. Last year, they kicked off their campaign with a 51-14 beat down of the Great Danes, and a similar outcome is expected on Friday night.
In fact, the Bulls have been successful in general recently against FCS opponents. This is the eighth consecutive year they will host a team from the FCS, having gone 7-0 in the previous seven matchups.
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In addition, Lance Leipold’s team have fared well in home openers at UB Stadium, having gone 8-2 in the last 10 years. In short, it is no surprise they are heavy favorites entering Friday’s game.
This may in part explain Leipold’s decision regarding the quarterback situation, with neither Grant Rohach or Tryee Jackson particularly taking a stranglehold on the position. Yes, Rohach has been named starter against Albany, but the Bulls head coach admitted Jackson will also get the chance to prove himself.
Speaking to Mark Gaughan of The Buffalo News and the rest of the media earlier this week, Leipold said: “Both quarterbacks will be playing meaningful snaps and have an opportunity to show themselves. We have great confidence in both of those guys.”
With due respect to Albany, it’s conceivable Leipold and the front office want to use the opening game to help them choose their long-term starter for this season. Both quarterbacks get the opportunity to show what they can do in game situations, with the quality of the opponent — theoretically at least — making the risk of losing that much smaller.
From Rohach’s perspective, he’s just thankful for the chance to play. Speaking to Gaughan he said: “I’m happy I’ve been given the opportunity, but at the end of the day it’s an opportunity, and I have to be able to lead the offense and execute a successful game.”
While Rohach has the experience, it is hard not to be in awe of Jackson’s imposing 6 ft 7 physique. Certainly, he is a intriguing figure, who threw for nearly 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns during his last two years at high school, before he redshirted his first season with the Bulls.
Despite Leipold claiming he has faith in both quarterbacks, it would be easy to interpret the inability to pick a starter as a negative. In that respect, even he acknowledges the Bulls need to make a final decision sooner rather than later.
Leipold said: “We want competition at every position…At the same time, nobody wants to go into a quarterback situation where the quarterback feels one play or one thing will cause them to be yanked out.
“With an open week in Week Two, much like every position, we’ll continue to evaluate that competition as we move forward, and each guy is going to have the opportunity to show themselves.”
Overall, who Leipold picks as his starting quarterback may well prove tougher than beating Albany. May the best man win.
Next: Bulls will rely heavily on defensive line
What outcome are you predicting against Albany? Further, who do you think will end up winning the battle to be the Bulls’ starting quarterback this season? Let us know in the comments section below.