Holy Cross
Bulls Host Holy Cross in Home Opener on Saturday
9/6/2022 3:06:00 PM | Football
Buffalo (0-1, 0-0 MAC) vs. Holy Cross (1-0, 0-0 Patriot)
September 10, 2022
UB Stadium - 6:00 pm
Radio
Buffalo - ESPN 1520
Rochester - Fox Sports 1280
Television
ESPN+
Storylines
• The Bulls have won 11 of their last 12 home openers.
• The last time Buffalo faced Holy Cross was on Oct. 31, 1970, a game the Bulls won, 16-0. It was also the last home game before the football program was dropped following the 1970 campaign. UB reinstated the football program in 1977.
• This is the 14th straight season the Bulls will host an FCS program. UB is 12-1 over the stretch with its lone loss coming against Albany in 2016.
• Ron Cook is 74 yards shy of becoming just the ninth player in program history to amass 1,000 career kickoff return yards.
• James Patterson's next tackle for loss will move him past Chris Shelly (31) for ninth in school history in career tackles for loss.
• Alex McNulty's next extra point with tie him with Patrick Clarke (2011-14) for third in program history with 124. He is also two field goals shy of tying Gerald Carlson (1993-96) for fifth in program history in career field goals with 28.
• Marcus Fuqua is the reigning MAC East Defensive Player of the Week after his four tackle, interception, pass breakup performance at Maryland.
• Quarterback Cole Snyder connected with nine different receivers in the opener at Maryland.
• The Bulls only committed three penalties in their opener at Maryland. It was the fewest of any MAC team in week one.
Bulls Host Holy Cross in Home Opener on Saturday
The University at Buffalo football team will host Holy Cross in its home opener on Saturday.
Buffalo is coming off a 31-10 loss at Maryland last Saturday. The Bulls' defensive effort was led by Logic Hudgens and Keyshawn Cobb who each had eight tackles.
Holy Cross, ranked 16th in the FCS, is 1-0 on the season and is coming off a 31-17 win over Merrimack. The Crusaders are led by quarterback Matthew Sluka who threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 102 yards and another score in their opener.
Holy Cross leads the all-time series, 6-3-1. The teams last met on Oct. 30, 1970 with the Bulls winning, 16-0, at Rotary Field.
History with Holy Cross
The last time UB played Holy Cross, the game was remembered more for what happened at halftime than the game itself.
Played on Oct. 31, 1970, the contest was broadcast nationally on ABC and the UB marching band's halftime performance was also going to air. However, once the network learned the band would be performing a peace-themed set in light of the Vietnam War and racism that plagued the country, it refused to air the performance.
This sparked a protest by demonstrators who stormed the field. The protesters were escorted off the field in the third quarter and the game resumed, resulting in a 16-0 win for the Bulls.
It was the final home game of the 1970 season. The team learned later that year the program would be dropped due to financial constraints. The football program was reinstated in 1977.
Bulls vs. the FCS
This is the 14th straight season the Bulls will play an FCS program since adding them to the schedule in 2009. Over that stretch, Buffalo has posted a record of 13-1 against teams from the FCS. UB's only loss was a 22-16 defeat to Albany in the opener of the 2016 season.
Fuqua Named MAC East Defensive Player of the Week
Safety Marcus Fuqua was named the Mid-American Conference East Division Defensive Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday. It is the first time the junior has earned the honor.
Fuqua had four tackles, an interception and a pass breakup in Buffalo's game at Maryland on Saturday. He was able to return his interception for 23 yards against the Terrapins.
New Faces
Looking to bolster the roster, the Bulls welcomed 25 transfers this offseason, including 11 from power five programs.
UB's power five program transfers include WR Justin Marshall (Louisville), CB Elijah Blades (Florida), WR Boobie Curry (Arizona), CB Caleb Offord (Notre Dame), S Solomon Brown (Minnesota), S Jahmin Muse (Boston College), QB Cole Snyder (Rutgers), DE Ibrahim Kante (NC State), DE Damian Jackson (Nebraska), S James Ziglor (Vanderbilt) and OL Isaiah Wright (Rutgers).
Of the 60 players on the depth chart, 24 are in their first year with the program.
Snyder Gets Call Under Center
Cole Snyder, who joined the Bulls in January after transferring from Rutgers, has earned the starting quarterback job heading into the 2022 campaign.
Snyder is a Western New York native, graduating from Southwestern High School near Jamestown. He was a two-time All-Western New York First Team selection and the Class C South Player of the Year.
At Rutgers, Snyder appeared in six games in 2021 and was 18-for-28 for 130 yards and a touchdown while adding 42 rushing yards.
Snyder was the third Western New Yorker to start a season opener under center for the Bulls in the last 10 seasons. Joe Licata (Williamsville South) was the opening game starter in 2013, 2014 and 2015. Matt Myers (West Seneca West) was the starter in 2019.
In the opener at Maryland, he completed 18-of-35 passes for 160 yards.
Big Game James
Back for a fifth season, linebacker James Patterson continues to cement himself as one of the best linebackers in program history.
He had six tackles at Maryland in the opener to bring his career total to 303. He's the 12th player in program history to reach the 300 tackle mark and currently ranks 10th in school history in career tackles.
A team captain since his sophomore season, Patterson was named All-MAC First Team in 2020 and 2021.
Linebacker U
UB has had a number of standout linebackers in recent years, most notably Khalil Mack who was an All-American and now an NFL All-Pro.
The Bulls have at least one linebacker named All-MAC each of the last 11 seasons. James Patterson was named to the first team in 2020 and 2021.
Rounding out the list are Kadofi Wright (2019), Khalil Hodge (2018, 2017, 2016), Brandon Berry (2015), Okezie Alozie (2015), Lee Skinner (2014), Adam Redden (2014) and Khalil Mack (2013, 2012, 2011).
Who'll Step Up at Running Back?
The Bulls have had a 1,000-yard rusher each of the last four seasons. Jaret Patterson rushed for 1,103 yards in 2018, 1,799 yards in 2019 and 1,072 yards in a six-game 2020 season. Along with Patterson Kevin Marks also rushed for 1,000 yards in 2019 (1,005). In 2021, Dylan McDuffie rushed for 1,049 yards.
The Bulls will feature a first-time starter at running back in 2022. Senior Ron Cook is the most experienced back. He had his most productive season in 2021, rushing for 440 yards and three touchdowns. A versatile back, he had 23 receptions for 232 yards and touchdown last season as well. He is also a two-time All-MAC selection as a kick returner.
Also likely to get carries are a pair of redshirt-freshmen, Mike Washington and Al-Jay Henderson.
Washington did appear in three games as a true freshman in 2021 and rushed for 132 yards and a touchdown.
Henderson did not see any game action in 2021, but has had a strong offseason. He rushed for 87 yards on 14 carries (6.2 ypc) and scored three touchdowns in the spring game.
In the opener at Maryland, all three running backs saw action, combining for 93 yards on 27 carries. Henderson was the most effective, rushing for 27 yards and a touchdown on only four carries.
Watch Out
The Bulls have representatives on eight different NCFAA award preseason watch lists. Linebacker James Patterson, defensive tackle Daymond Williams, running back Ron Cook, wide receiver Quian Williams and defensive end Max Michel each appeared on at least one watch list.
Buffalo Players on NCFAA Watch Lists
James Patterson - Bednarik Award, Butkus Award,Nagurski Trophy
Daymond Williams - Outland Trophy
Ron Cook - Paul Hornung Award
Quian Williams - Biletnikoff Award,
Max Michel - Allstate Good Works, Wuerffel Trophy
Max Michel Nominated for Allstate Good Works Team
Senior defensive end Max Michel is among 114 nominees for the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team Awarded to community champions, it recognizes student-athletes who display exemplary community service, academic dedication and impact on and off the field.
A native of New Jersey, Michel quickly embraced the Queen City. He has worked with the Buffalo City Mission, organizing a coat drive in December, collecting coats, jackets, gloves and hats. In its first year, the coat drive resulted in over 50 coats and other warm items of clothing being donated to the Buffalo City Mission.
He also donates his time volunteering at the Buffalo City Mission's kitchen, helping prepare food, emptying the garbage and whatever else he can do to help.
In addition, Michel is on the watch list for the Wuerffel Trophy.
International Flavor
The Bulls have four international players on this year's roster.
Buffalo has two players who hail from Canada, including Gabe Wallace (BC) and Anthony Venneri (Ontario). In addition, the Bulls have two players from Europe, Fabian Weitz (Germany) and Alain Schaerer (Switzerland).
McNulty Named Campbell Trophy Nominee
Senior kicker Alex McNulty is a nominee 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.
McNulty is a double major in biology for pre-veterinary science and physics. He carries a 3.8 grade point average and is a three-time Academic All-MAC selection.
McNulty was an All-MAC Third Team in 2020. He ranks sixth in school history in career field goals (26), fourth in school history in career extra points (123) and fourth in school history in career points scored (201). Last season, he set a school record with a 55-yard field goal and became the first kicker in program history to make 100 consecutive extra points.
Bulls Picked Third in MAC East
Buffalo was picked to finish third in the Mid-American Conference East Division according to the MAC media.
Miami (OH) was picked first with 139 points, followed by Kent State (116), Buffalo (78), Ohio (72), Bowling Green (71) and Akron (28).
Northern Illinois was picked to win the West Division, followed by Toledo, Central Michigan, Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Ball State.
Northern Illinois was selected as the preseason favorite to win the MAC Championship.
On The Airwaves
Again this season, University at Buffalo football can be heard locally on ESPN 1520, a 50,000-watt station with one of the strongest signals in the nation. The Bulls can also be heard on 1280 AM in Rochester.
Calling all the play-by-play action of Bulls football for his 23rd year, and 15th consecutive, will be Paul Peck. Scott Wilson is back for his sixth season as analyst. Brad Riter also returns as game host.
The UB Football postgame show will once again take place at The Anchor Bar on Maple Road with host Bob Gaughan.
