.png&width=22&height=22&type=webp)
Seven Bulls Named to Phil Steele's Preseason All-MAC Team
6/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – Seven University at Buffalo football players were named to Phil Steele's 2014 Preseason All-Mid-American Conference Team. The Bulls had two players named to the first team, after having a school-record five last season.
The two UB players on the first team were offensive lineman Andre Davis and kick return specialist Devin Campbell. Davis is the lone Bull to earn preseason honors for the second straight season, garnering third team honors last season.
In addition, quarterback Joe Licata, Adam Redden and Cortney Lester were named to the second team. Offensive tackle Jake Silas and defensive tackle Kristjan Sokoli were named to the third and fourth team, respectively.
Davis has been a stalwart on the Bulls offensive line for the past three seasons. In 2013, he helped clear the way for Branden Oliver's program-record 1,535 yards rushing and 15 rushing touchdowns. Davis started all 13 games last season and helped UB rush for 2,176 yards – the third highest total in school history and most as a Division I-A program.
A first-team selection for the first time in his career, Campbell has turned into one of the most dangerous kick return specialists in the Mid-American Conference. Campbell ranked second in the MAC in return average (23.9 yards) and was one of only two players in the conference with a kickoff return for a touchdown, the first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2008 for the Bulls. He closed out his junior campaign with 28 returns for 669 yards, ranking second in the MAC in total yards.
Licata is coming off a breakout year in his first full season as the Bulls' starting quarterback. He recorded career highs in all passing categories, throwing for 2,824 yards and 24 touchdowns while completing 58 percent of his passes. His 24 touchdown passes were one shy of the school record for a single season. He had the best game of his young career against Toledo when he completed 36-of-58 passes for 497 yards and four touchdowns, setting the school record for attempts, completions and passing yards in a game.
Redden was an All-MAC Third Team selection in 2013 after a breakout season as a safety/linebacker hybrid. Redden closed out his junior campaign ranking third on the team with 65 tackles including 12.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks and a team-high three fumble recoveries while appearing in only 10 games due to injury.
Lester came into his own last season as he was the starting corner opposite All-MAC performer Najja Johnson. Lester held his own for UB as he started all 13 games and tied for the team lead with three interceptions. He finished out the season with 32 tackles, nine passes defensed, six pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
Silas has been as steady as a rock on the offensive line for UB head coach Jeff Quinn. The 6-foot-7 mountain of a man started all 13 games a season ago helping to clear the way for Branden Oliver's program-record 1,535 yards rushing and 15 rushing touchdowns. Davis started all 13 games this season and helped UB rush for 2,176 yards – the third highest total in school history and most as a Division I-A program. The offensive line also only allowed 20 sacks as a unit during the 2013 campaign.
Sokoli was very stout in the middle of the defensive line for the Bulls as he started all 13 games as a junior. The Bloomfield, NJ native made 29 tackles including five tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks on the season. He also ranked second on the team, behind All-American Khalil Mack, with five quarterback hurries.
Buffalo opens the 2014 season at home against Duquesne on Saturday, August 30. Country singer Easton Corbin will open up the wildly popular UB Football Tailgate Concert Series prior to the game against the Dukes.
