UB's Football Season Has Been One to Remember
12/3/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY –The University at Buffalo football team has had a record-breaking season on and off the field in 2013. As the 8-4 Bulls await word on a bowl announcement, here is a recap of their remarkable season.
Fans came out in record numbers as the 136,418 paid attendance in 2013 shattered the previous mark of 108,118 set in 2011. This year, the Bulls averaged 22,736 fans per game, with five games over the 20,000 mark. To put that in perspective, UB had a total of five games of 20,000 or more fans over the previous six seasons, combined.
One of UB Athletic Director Danny White's goals when taking the job last year was to create a vibrant tailgate atmosphere at UB Stadium. His vision resulted in Stampede Square, a family-friendly entertainment area that included food, games and activities for all ages.
Stampede Square was also the home of the Tailgate Concert Series, which was a very popular addition to the game day festivities. Each week, award-winning national music acts took the stage to perform. Bands such as Kool and the Gang, Blues Traveler and Randy Houser rocked Stamped Square in the hours leading up to kick off.
Once inside the stadium, fans were treated to one of the most entertaining seasons of football in school history. The Bulls won eight regular season games, the most as an FBS program. Starting with a thrilling five-overtime victory against Stony Brook in the home opener, UB rattled off seven straight wins, a feat last accomplished way back in 1897. In addition, Buffalo won all five games played at UB Stadium.
UB has had standout players and performances at nearly every position on the field.
Offensively, running back Branden Oliver has shattered James Starks' school record with 3,935 career rushing yards. He has saved his finest season for his senior campaign as he broke his own single-season school record with 1,421 yards and has scored 15 touchdowns in 2013. Oliver is 65 yards shy of becoming just the 13th player in Mid-American Conference history to rush for 4,000 yards.
Another senior standout on offense is Alex Neutz. The Grand Island native broke the school record for career receiving touchdowns with 30 and currently ranks third in school history in career receptions (191) and career receiving yardage (3,017). Neutz is the first UB player with 10 or more touchdown receptions in two different seasons.
The emergence of sophomore quarterback Joe Licata has played a large part in the gaudy numbers put up by the offense. Licata has thrown 20 touchdowns in 2013, the second most for a single season in school history. His 220 completions and 2,628 passing yards, both rank fourth in UB history for a single season. He had one of the finest games of any quarterback to ever wear the blue and white when he threw for a school-record 497 yards and four touchdowns at Toledo on November 12.
The defense is led by linebacker Khalil Mack - one of the very best in the nation to play the position.
When football fans leaf through the NCAA record book, they will find Mack's name at the top of two different record lists. His 16 career forced fumbles are two more than any other player in the sport's history. Mack also shares the NCAA record for career tackles for loss with 75. He is the school's first ever Butkus Award finalist and just the second player in UB history to earn an invitation to the Senior Bowl.
Mack has spearheaded a defensive attack that has allowed just 268 points on the season, the fewest in its FBS era. The Bulls blanked Western Michigan on October 12 for just its second ever shutout of a MAC opponent and first road shutout since 1965. UB has held three opponents to without a touchdown this season.
With all the impressive numbers recorded on the field, the two head coach Jeff Quinn are most pleased with are 976 and 2.812. They represent the highest APR score and grade point average, respectively, in school history.
The Bulls will now await an invitation to a bowl game. It will be just their second bowl appearance in school history and one more highlight to an already memorable season.
