Charlotte
Bulls to Face Charlotte in 2019 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
12/13/2019 10:56:00 AM | Football
Buffalo (7-5, 5-3 MAC) vs. Charlotte (7-5, 5-3 MAC)
December 20, 2019
Thomas Robinson Stadium - 2:00 pm
Radio
Buffalo - ESPN 1520
Rochester - Fox Sports 1280
Television
ESPN
Storylines
• Buffalo is playing in its fourth bowl game in program history (and second straight) and is in search of its first bowl win.
• This will be the first meeting between Buffalo and Charlotte.
• After winning 10 games a year ago, the Bulls have won seven or more games in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1958 and 1959.
• UB leads the MAC and ranks fourth in the nation in rush defense, allowing 95.3 yards per game.
• Jaret Patterson has rushed for 490 yards and 10 touchdowns in the last two games.
• With Jaret Patterson (1,626) and Kevin Marks (1,008), the Bulls have two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season for the first time in school history.
• The Bulls rank second in the nation in sacks allowed (8).
• Buffalo has shattered its single-season rushing total with 3,241 yards. Its previous high was 2,648 yards set last season over 14 games.
• The UB defense has only allowed one 100-yard rusher on the season.
• With 38 sacks, Buffalo has tied the school record for sacks in a season. The Bulls also had 38 sacks in 2013.
• With 1,626 yards rushing, Jaret Patterson has set a new single-season school record and ranks fifth in the nation in rushing.
• The Bulls scored 43 or more points in four of their last five games of the regular season.
• This will be the third different country in which Buffalo will play a bowl game. The Bulls also played in the 2009 International Bowl in Toronto, Canada.
Bulls to Face Charlotte in 2019 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl
The University at Buffalo football team will face Charlotte in the 2019 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on December 20.
The Bulls finished the regular season 7-5 overall and 5-3 in Mid-American Conference play. Running back Jaret Patterson leads the Bulls with 1,626 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns - both school records.
Charlotte finished the regular season 7-5 overall and 5-3 in Conference USA play. The 49ers are led by quarterback Chris Reynolds who has thrown for 2,366 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 781 yards and six scores
This will be the first meeting between the schools.
Bowling in the Bahamas
Buffalo will face Charlotte in the 2019 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. This will be UB's fourth bowl game in program history. The Bulls played in the Dollar General Bowl last season, the 2013 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and the 2009 International Bowl (following their 2008 MAC title). Buffalo is in search of its first bowl game victory.
Buffalo vs. C-USA
The Bulls are 5-8 all-time against schools from Conference USA. The Bulls are 2-0 against Florida Atlantic (2015, 2017) and 2-0 against UTEP (2008, 2009). Buffalo is 1-8 against Marshall. However, those nine meetings were all before the Thundering Herd joined C-USA, with most coming as Mid-American Conference foes.
Patterson Finishes Regular Season in Historic Fashion
Jaret Patterson had the best game by a running back in school history against Bowling Green in the regular season finale. The sophomore running back had a school-record 298 rushing yards and a school and MAC-record six touchdowns in UB's win over Bowling Green.
His performance came on the heels of a 192-yard, four-touchdown performance a week earlier against Toledo. Patterson added a receiving score for a total of five touchdowns against the Rockets.
In the last two games, Patterson has rushed for 490 yards and 11 total touchdowns (10 rushing).
For his performance against Bowling Green, he became the first UB player ever named the Walter Camp Foundation National Offensive Player of the Week.
Dynamic Duo
Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks have been a dynamic duo in the Bulls' backfield. Patterson has rushed for 1,626 yards and 17 touchdowns while Marks has accounted for 1,008 yards and eight scores on the year. It marks the first time in school history the Bulls have had two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season. It also marks the first time since 2012 a MAC team has had two 1,000-yard rushers in the same season (Kent State).
While splitting carries, one of the two have posted 100-yard games in eight of the last nine outings. Patterson has seven 100-yard games and Marks has four. They have both gone over 100 yards in the same game three times this season.
Both sophomores, Patterson and Marks are already in the top ten in school history in career rushing. Patterson ranks sixth with 2,447 yards and Marks is ninth with 1,853 yards.
Record 12 Bulls Named All-MAC
A school-record 12 Buffalo football players were named All-Mid-American Conference. The 12 All-MAC selections are a school record, eclipsing the 10 from a season ago.
Five Bulls were named to the All-MAC First Team, including running back Jaret Patterson, offensive tackle Evin Ksiezarczyk, safety Joey Banks and defensive ends Taylor Riggins and Malcolm Koonce.
Buffalo also placed five on the second team, including offensive linemen Kayode Awosika and Paul Nosworthy along with linebacker Kadofi Wright, defensive end Ledarius Mack and safety Tyrone Hill.
The third team included wide receiver Antonio Nunn and defensive tackle Chibueze Onwuka.
Sack Lunch
The Bulls have had 27 sacks over the last seven games, including a season-best five in their last three road games at Akron, Eastern Michigan and Kent State. On the year, Buffalo has 38 sacks to rank first in the Mid-American Conference and 12th in the nation. The Bulls have three players in the top two in the MAC in sacks. Taylor Riggins leads the MAC with 8.5 sacks, Ledarius Mack and Malcolm Koonce are tied for second with 7.0 sacks apiece.
The Bulls have tied the school record for sacks in a season, originally set in 2013.
Run Stoppers
Buffalo leads the MAC in total defense, but they have been especially stout against the run. The Bulls lead the MAC and rank fourth in the nation in rushing defense, allowing only 95.3 yards per game. UB is the only team in the MAC to allow less that 100 yards per game on the ground. With 107 yards, Miami's Jaylon Bester is the only player to rush for 100 yards on the Bulls this season.
In Buffalo's win at Eastern Michigan, the Bulls didn't allow a single rushing first down in the game.
Serve and Protect
Buffalo's offensive line has done a great job protecting the quarterback. The Bulls have only allowed eight sacks on the season to rank second in the nation. UB has not allowed a sack in seven of its 12 games on the year and have only allowed one sack over the last seven games. A season ago, the Bulls allowed 15 sacks, the fewest in their FBS era (since 1999).
Ground and Pound
The Bulls have rolled up 3,051 yards on the ground this season, already a single-season school record for team rushing. The previous record of 2,648 was set last season over 14 games.
Buffalo is averaging 254.2 yards per game to rank ninth in the nation. They rank seventh in the nation in rushing attempts with 613. UB has logged 50+ carries in seven different games, including a season-high 62 at Eastern Michigan. In the regular-season finale against Bowling Green, the Bulls rushed for 455 yards, the highest single-game total in their FBS era (since 1999).
Leading the way are running backs Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks. Patterson is averaging 135.5 yards per game on the ground to lead the MAC and rank fifth in the nation. Marks is averaging 84.0 yards per game to rank seventh in the conference.
Taylor Made
Taylor Riggins has been making his presence known as of late. The Bulls' defensive end has had eight sacks over the last seven games. He leads the MAC in sacks with 8.5. Riggins' three fumble recoveries on the year are one shy of the single-season school record.
Banks Shot
The play of Joey Banks made him an easy choice for All-MAC First Team. The hard-hitting safety leads the team with 76 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He has added a team-best three interceptions and a forced fumble. The UB senior has been named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week three times this season. The only other UB player to ever win MAC East Player of the Week three times in the same season was Khalil Mack in 2013.
Taking Matters into their own Hands
The UB defense has scored four touchdowns this season, including three in the last five games. The Bulls rank sixth in the nation in defensive touchdowns. Joey Banks had a pick six against Temple; Ledarius Mack returned a fumble for a touchdown at Akron; Kadofi Wright forced and recovered a fumble at Akron and had a pick six against Central Michigan.
Nunn Better
Antonio Nunn has been the favorite target of UB quarterbacks this season. The junior receiver leads the Bulls with 44 catches for 634 yards and five touchdowns. He has had at least two catches in the 10 games in which he has played. In addition, the Tampa native has five touchdown catches in the last eight games.
Back in the Saddle
Redshirt-sophomore Kyle Vantrease made his first start of the season at quarterback against Ohio and looked quite comfortable. Vantrease accounted for all three of UB's touchdowns, throwing for two and rushing for one. He finished 16-of-23 for 197 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 19 yards and another score. Before redshirting last season, the Stow, OH native made one start as a true freshman in 2017.
In his seven games as a starter this season, Vantrease has completed 90-of-150 passes for 1,086 yards, seven touchdowns and only one interception. After throwing for 208 yards and a touchdown and rushing for two other scores at Eastern Michigan, he was named the MAC East Offensive Player of the Week.
Capitalizing on Turnovers
The Bulls have forced 20 turnovers on the season - 10 fumble recoveries and 10 interceptions. UB has been able to capitalize on takeaways, scoring points 14 times following a turnover, including 11 touchdowns.
Shout Out for a Shut Out
The Bulls blanked Akron on Oct. 19 for just their third shutout of a Mid-American Conference opponent since joining the league in 1999. It was just the second ever road shutout of a MAC opponent. The previous shutouts were a 33-0 win at Western Michigan in 2013 and a 44-0 victory over Ohio at UB Stadium in 2001.
No Passing Zone
The Bulls have not needed to throw the ball a lot to be successful this season. In fact, UB has thrown for less than 100 yards in two of its wins this season. Buffalo threw for 69 yards in its season-opening win against Robert Morris and 67 yards in a 21-0 victory over Akron. Only two other times in their FBS era (since 1999) did the Bulls throw for less than 100 yards and win a game. Buffalo threw for 97 yards in a 10-6 win over Kent State in 2005 and 83 yards in a 26-17 win over Ohio in 2003.
Time after Time
The Bulls lead the MAC and rank fourth in the nation in time of possession, averaging 34:12 per game.
The Bulls controlled the ball for 42:32 against Penn State. It was the team's highest time of possession in their modern FBS era (since 1999). The previous high was 42:30 against Bowling Green last season. The Bulls ran 90 plays, compared to just 46 plays for Penn State and outgained the Nittany Lions, 429-357 in total offense.
Shining Lee
Junior wide receiver Daniel Lee has turned into a nice complement to Antonio Nunn and has really come on as of late. Over the first six games, the JUCO transfer had only two catches for 26 yards. However, over the last six games Lee has had 20 catches for 251 yards and a touchdown. He has had at least two catches in each of the last six games, including a season-high six receptions at Akron on October 19.
Off to a Good Start
Buffalo's strong finish to the season can be equated to the strong starts they have had in games. The Bulls are averaging 28 first-half points over their last five games. They have scored at least 28 first-half points in four of their last five games. UB has held halftime leads in 11 of 12 games this season. The Bulls have scored points on their opening drive in four of their last six games.
Onwuka Name Burlsworth Nominee
Chibueze Onwuka has been announced as a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to top player who originally joined the team as a walk-on. The junior defensive tackle walked on to the team prior to the 2017 season after starting his collegiate career as a wrestler at Niagara County Community College. This season, Onwuka ranks fifth on the team in tackles with 42, including eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Otwinowski Named Academic All-District
Linebacker Matt Otwinowski has been named to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District team. The award recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
An accounting major with a 3.89 grade point average, Otwinowski is enjoying his best season on the field for the Bulls. The team captain ranks second on the squad in tackles with 72, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack.
We The Match
The Bulls have had two different players donate stem cells to help save the life of a stranger. Both linebacker Matt Otwinowski and offensive lineman Mike Kenefick donated their stem cells through the Be The Match program. Otwinowski traveled to Washington, D.C. in April to donate. Kenefick missed last Thursday's game against Kent State to donate his stem cells in Rochester.
Experience on the Offensive Line
One of the strengths of the 2019 UB football team is the offensive line. The Bulls return four of their five starters from a season ago. Right guard Tomas Jack-Kurdyla has the most starts under his belt with 40. Left tackle Evin Ksiezarczyk is second with 38 starts. Right tackle Kayode Awosika has started 26 games for the Bulls and left guard Paul Nosworthy has 25 starts. In addition, Jacob Gall started the final five games at right guard last year.
Last season, UB's line blocked for an offense that ran for a school-record 2,648 yards and also allowed only 15 sacks, a program low since moving to the FBS level in 1999.
International Flavor
The Bulls have nine international players on this year's roster - by far the most in school history.
Buffalo has six players who hail from Canada, including Dominic Johnson (Ontario), Dev Lamour (Quebec), Cole Burniston (Ontario), Tomas Jack-Kurdyla (Quebec), Gabe Wallace (BC) and Julien Bourassa (Quebec). In addition, the Bulls have three players from Europe, Fabian Weitz (Germany), Alain Schaerer (Switzerland) and Jordan Avissey (France).
Pallotti Boys
The Bulls have five players from Maryland's Saint Vincent Pallotti High School on this year's team. Running back Jaret Patterson, linebackers James Patterson and Justin Mulbah, wide receiver Jelani Foster and cornerback Dylan Powell all played together for the Panthers.
Justin Winters, a former All-MAC linebacker for the Bulls, was a coach at Pallotti when the players were there.
Otwinowski Named Campbell Trophy Semifinalist
Senior linebacker Matt Otwinowski is a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy. Given annually to college football's top student-athlete, the Campbell Trophy is also known as the Academic Heisman.
Otwinowski is an accounting major with a 3.89 cumulative grade point average. He is a two-time Academic All-MAC selection and has been honored as a MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete.
A pillar of the community, Otwinowski helped save the life of a stranger by donating his stem cells through the Be The Match Program. For his work in the community, he has been placed on the watch list for the AFCA Allstate Good Works Team and the Weurffel Trophy.
Murchie Family Fieldhouse Opens
Thanks to a record gift by the Murchie family, the Murchie Family Fieldhouse opened in April. The 92,000-square-foot indoor practice facility is situated just beyond the north end zone of UB Stadium on the university's North Campus.
The multi-use facility not only houses a full-size football field, but also features 6,000 feet of rubber track for sprint practice as well as long/triple jump and pole vault pits. It will also have motorized suspended softball hitting tunnels.
