Senior Class Hopes to Make History
11/27/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY - One of the very best group of seniors to ever play at UB will suit up Friday for their final game of the season, fittingly with a chance to do something that no other team has done – win an outright Mid-American Conference East Division title. Among the 21 seniors on the 2013 roster (10 defensive, 11 offensive), there are record-setters, hometown heroes, and players who will likely hear their names called at the NFL draft this spring. Before the book is closed on their college careers, though, more is still to be written on Black Friday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Already bowl-eligible, the Bulls will honor its senior class Friday before its regular-season finale against Bowling Green, with the winner earning the right to face Northern Illinois for the MAC championship on Dec. 6.
On offense, the team will send off the program's all-time leading rusher in Branden Oliver. The Miami, FL native shattered James Starks' career rushing yards mark over a month ago, but still has a number of program records in his crosshairs. With just 21 more yards, Oliver will break his own record for rushing yards in a season, which currently stands at 1,395. He also is just two touchdowns away from tying Starks' career rushing touchdown record of 34, and comes into Friday with 19 career 100-yard games. Other members of the running back group who will be celebrating senior day will be Patrick Brennan, and Brandon Murie. Murie had 477 all-purpose yards in 2012, scoring three touchdowns. Both have been special team standouts.
In the passing game, the team will send off its two leading receivers, headlined by local standout Alex Neutz. The Grand Island native recently claimed the career receiving touchdown record from fellow Buffalonian Naaman Roosevelt, sitting at 30 for his career. His next catch will put him alone in third place for career receptions, and he is 49 yards away from becoming the third receiver in program history to eclipse 3,000 career yards. He will share senior day with his friend Fred Lee, who is enjoying a career year with 49 catches for 594 yards and four touchdowns this season. Lee was also honored as a member of the AFCA All-State Good Works team, recognizing his efforts in the community. The last senior receiver is Natey Adjei, who has missed his final season with an injury.
Also included in the pass game is a trio of senior tight ends, led by Jimmy Gordon. The Patchogue, NY native recently had a career day, with five catches for 70 yards and a highlight-reel touchdown against Toledo. Both Gordon and fellow end Alex Dennison have been critical in the running game this season, with Dennison, who has also played fullback this year, chipping in three catches and a touchdown this season. Ed Harof is a walk-on to the team, but has seen playing time in five games.
Wrapping up the senior group of offensive players are Jasen Carlson and Alex Zordich. Carlson, a team captain, was injured in the seventh game of the season, which ended the captain's 23-game consecutive start streak. Zordich has also battled injuries this season, but has been one of the best leaders on the team both on the field and in the classroom. The Youngstown, OH native rushed for 501 yards and passed for 1,254 and nine touchdowns over eight starts last season, and has remained a solid dual-threat quarterback this season in his five games played.
On the defensive side, the defensive backfield will be the hardest hit by graduation, with five players in the secondary honored on senior day. The group is led by Najja Johnson. The Jim Thorpe preseason watch list member has been as good as ever in his senior year, with 30 solo tackles and three interceptions and seven breakups. At safety, Okoye Houston and Derek Brim will go out on the heels of career years, with Houston sitting third on the team with 53 tackles (4.5 for loss) and Brim adding 48 tackles and three breakups. Key reserves Carlos Lammons and Tomarris Bell will also be honored, with Bell rising from former track team member to starting hybrid safety and 23 tackles, and Lammons seeing time in 10 games with four tackles. Ryan Paxson will also be honored with the seniors.
In the trenches, the team will lose fan favorites Colby Way and Beau Bachtelle, who are each quietly having career years. Way is now in the top ten in career sacks and has five this season to go with 27 tackles, and Bachtelle has 3.5 sacks and 37 tackles as a breakout star on the defense. Also graduating from the line is Lance Weaver, who has played on both offense and defense lines in his time at UB.
The talented linebacking corps will lose just one senior, but he just so happens to be one of the most accomplished linebackers in NCAA history and a potential top draft pick in the April NFL draft. Khalil Mack is coming off a career day in the team's win over Miami (OH), as he set the NCAA record for career forced fumbles while terrorizing the RedHawk's offense in the win. Now in his sights is the career NCAA record for tackles for loss, as he needs just 2.5 more to tie the mark. Already the owner of nearly every significant defensive record for the school, Mack has a few more milestones to hit before his collegiate career is over.
This group, which head coach Jeff Quinn fondly refers to as one of his best group of seniors he has had as a coach, will aim for a team record Friday, as it looks to tie a program all-time record with a ninth win. A win over the Falcons would give the Bulls a chance to relive the magic from five short years ago. Kickoff for the "Clash at the Ralph" will be at 1:30 pm Friday, with tickets available through ticketmaster.com or by calling 1-877-UB-THERE.
