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12 Bulls Named to All-MAC Team
12/15/2020 11:00:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – Twelve University at Buffalo football players were named All-Mid-American Conference on Tuesday, the league announced. The 12 All-MAC selections tied the program record set last season.
Five Bulls were named to the All-MAC First Team, including running back Jaret Patterson offensive tackle Kayode Awosika, center Mike Novitsky, defensive end Malcolm Koonce and linebacker James Patterson.
Buffalo placed two on the second team, including right tackle Jake Fuzak along with wide receiver Antonio Nunn.
The third team included tight end Zac Lefebvre, running back Kevin Marks, Jr., kicker Alex McNulty, defensive tackle Eddie Wilson and return specialist Ron Cook, Jr.
Jaret Patterson was an All-MAC selection for the third straight season and on the first team for the second straight year. Though a shortened season, the junior running back has posted eye-popping numbers. He leads the nation in rushing, averaging 203 yards per game and has scored 18 touchdowns, third in the country. Patterson was also named MAC Offensive Player of the Year and won the league's Vern Smith Leadership Award.
Awosika was named All-MAC for the second straight year after earning second-team honors a season ago. He has started all five games at left tackle and has helped block for an offensive that leads the nation in rushing yards (344.6 ypg) and scoring (51.8 ppg).
Novitsky, a second year starter at center, was named All-MAC for the first time in his career. He has started all five games for an offensive line that is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the top offensive line unit in the country.
Koonce was named All-MAC First Team for the second straight season. The senior defensive end leads the Bulls with four sacks and five tackles for loss to go along with 24 tackles which ranks third on the team.
James Patterson is an All-MAC pick for the first time in his career. The middle linebacker leads the Bulls in tackles with 43. He had a 13-tackle performance against both Bowling Green and Kent State this season.
Fuzak was the third member of the Bulls' heralded offensive line named All-MAC. The local product has started all five games at right tackle this season and has been part of an offensive line unit that has not allowed a sack this year. It marks the first time in his career he has been named All-MAC.
Nunn is an All-MAC selection for the second time after being named to the third team a season ago. The senior receiver leads UB with 20 catches for 353 yards and two touchdowns. He has two 100-yard receiving games this season.
The All-MAC third team consists of five first-time All-MAC selections.
Lefebvre has six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown on the season. However, he is also being rewarded for his tremendous blocking skills as he plays a major role in the Bulls' record-breaking rushing attack.
Though Jaret Patterson is getting most of the headlines this season, Marks is also having a solid year for the Bulls. The junior running back is averaging 102 yards per game and has scored five touchdowns. He rushed for a career-best 182 yards and two scores in UB's win over Akron.
McNulty is the first kicker in program history to be named All-MAC. The junior is a perfect 36-for-36 on extra point attempts this season. Since the offense has been so good at finding the endzone, he has only attempted one field goal on the year, a missed 47-yarder into the wind at the end of the half against Kent State. 20 of his kickoffs have gone for touchbacks this season.
Wilson has been a key run stopper for the Bulls. The junior defensive tackle has 10 tackles and a sack on the season. He has been a key component on a defense that ranks second overall in the MAC this year.
Cook handles both punt and kick return duties for the Bulls. The sophomore is averaging 9.9 yards per punt return which currently ranks seventh in school history for a single season.
Winners of the MAC East Division, the Bulls will play Ball State in the Rocket Mortgage MAC Championship Game at Ford Field on Friday night.
Five Bulls were named to the All-MAC First Team, including running back Jaret Patterson offensive tackle Kayode Awosika, center Mike Novitsky, defensive end Malcolm Koonce and linebacker James Patterson.
Buffalo placed two on the second team, including right tackle Jake Fuzak along with wide receiver Antonio Nunn.
The third team included tight end Zac Lefebvre, running back Kevin Marks, Jr., kicker Alex McNulty, defensive tackle Eddie Wilson and return specialist Ron Cook, Jr.
Jaret Patterson was an All-MAC selection for the third straight season and on the first team for the second straight year. Though a shortened season, the junior running back has posted eye-popping numbers. He leads the nation in rushing, averaging 203 yards per game and has scored 18 touchdowns, third in the country. Patterson was also named MAC Offensive Player of the Year and won the league's Vern Smith Leadership Award.
Awosika was named All-MAC for the second straight year after earning second-team honors a season ago. He has started all five games at left tackle and has helped block for an offensive that leads the nation in rushing yards (344.6 ypg) and scoring (51.8 ppg).
Novitsky, a second year starter at center, was named All-MAC for the first time in his career. He has started all five games for an offensive line that is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the top offensive line unit in the country.
Koonce was named All-MAC First Team for the second straight season. The senior defensive end leads the Bulls with four sacks and five tackles for loss to go along with 24 tackles which ranks third on the team.
James Patterson is an All-MAC pick for the first time in his career. The middle linebacker leads the Bulls in tackles with 43. He had a 13-tackle performance against both Bowling Green and Kent State this season.
Fuzak was the third member of the Bulls' heralded offensive line named All-MAC. The local product has started all five games at right tackle this season and has been part of an offensive line unit that has not allowed a sack this year. It marks the first time in his career he has been named All-MAC.
Nunn is an All-MAC selection for the second time after being named to the third team a season ago. The senior receiver leads UB with 20 catches for 353 yards and two touchdowns. He has two 100-yard receiving games this season.
The All-MAC third team consists of five first-time All-MAC selections.
Lefebvre has six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown on the season. However, he is also being rewarded for his tremendous blocking skills as he plays a major role in the Bulls' record-breaking rushing attack.
Though Jaret Patterson is getting most of the headlines this season, Marks is also having a solid year for the Bulls. The junior running back is averaging 102 yards per game and has scored five touchdowns. He rushed for a career-best 182 yards and two scores in UB's win over Akron.
McNulty is the first kicker in program history to be named All-MAC. The junior is a perfect 36-for-36 on extra point attempts this season. Since the offense has been so good at finding the endzone, he has only attempted one field goal on the year, a missed 47-yarder into the wind at the end of the half against Kent State. 20 of his kickoffs have gone for touchbacks this season.
Wilson has been a key run stopper for the Bulls. The junior defensive tackle has 10 tackles and a sack on the season. He has been a key component on a defense that ranks second overall in the MAC this year.
Cook handles both punt and kick return duties for the Bulls. The sophomore is averaging 9.9 yards per punt return which currently ranks seventh in school history for a single season.
Winners of the MAC East Division, the Bulls will play Ball State in the Rocket Mortgage MAC Championship Game at Ford Field on Friday night.
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