Type of Offense: Spread. Zone read running plays and nearly all passing plays from the shotgun formation. There is rare to no use of a fullback. Tight End is used primarily as a blocking back (extra OL). Nearly all runs are made by the RB and QB save the occasional end around with the WR.
Type of Defense: 3-4. The defense that is in vogue for professional football is only used by teams that have a skill set of: a large NT that can take up space and blocks, 2 DEs that can also handle multiple blockers and read blocks to make plays, a couple MLB that can make lots of tackles in the run game, a WLB that can cover all over the field on passing plays, and a SLB that is stout versus the run and can make plays at the LOS. The attractiveness of this defense is the ability to blitz all 11 players in many different ways. On the average play, 1-2 players are blitzing and the offense can never settle into a pattern that is more likely in a 4-3 base defense. A team must have DBs who can cover but aren’t afraid to hit people and break up plays in the backfield on blitzes.
• Run/Pass %: 52/48
• Run/Pass Attempts: 440/410
• Points Per Game: 14.2
• Points Allowed Per Game: 27.8
Key Returning Players:
• Marcus Rivers, WR: Leading returning receiver with 50 catches for 690 yards and 5 TDs. His production will be dependent on which QB wins the starting job and how well the chemistry can be obtained. He should be in line to have a great senior season and open some eyes across the country.
• Steven Means, DE: A high motor DE in the 3-4 defense of Buffalo, he had 50 tackles in 2010 as a sophomore. Will end up all conference at some point in his career, possibly as a junior and senior. Has the ability to play on the next level.
Key Incoming Freshmen:
• Kendal Patterson, DT: This 3 star DT out of Maryland has star potential written all over him. He is already at 275 pounds and could be a run stuffing NT at about 310 as he grows and matures.
• Joe Licata, QB: This 3 star QB out of NY may not play in 2011 but when he does get on the field, he could be a multi-year starter for the Bulls. May end up being better than all of the current QBs on the roster in the long run.
Overall Assessment:
• 3-9 was not the record Buffalo was looking for in its second year in the spread offense post-Turner Gill. The offense was not impressive at all with the running game not productive and not enough production out of the QB position. The defense was not all bad giving up 27.2 points per game while being stuck on the field more than needed due to the offensive inefficiencies. If someone can step up at QB and make the opposing defenses honor the pass, then the running game can get going and allow the Bulls to stay closer in games. Best case scenario would be 5 wins and being close to a bowl game in 2011. Worst case is another 3 or 2 win season and people beginning to question if a spread offense can work at a school like Buffalo.
Type of Defense: 3-4. The defense that is in vogue for professional football is only used by teams that have a skill set of: a large NT that can take up space and blocks, 2 DEs that can also handle multiple blockers and read blocks to make plays, a couple MLB that can make lots of tackles in the run game, a WLB that can cover all over the field on passing plays, and a SLB that is stout versus the run and can make plays at the LOS. The attractiveness of this defense is the ability to blitz all 11 players in many different ways. On the average play, 1-2 players are blitzing and the offense can never settle into a pattern that is more likely in a 4-3 base defense. A team must have DBs who can cover but aren’t afraid to hit people and break up plays in the backfield on blitzes.
• Run/Pass %: 52/48
• Run/Pass Attempts: 440/410
• Points Per Game: 14.2
• Points Allowed Per Game: 27.8
Key Returning Players:
• Marcus Rivers, WR: Leading returning receiver with 50 catches for 690 yards and 5 TDs. His production will be dependent on which QB wins the starting job and how well the chemistry can be obtained. He should be in line to have a great senior season and open some eyes across the country.
• Steven Means, DE: A high motor DE in the 3-4 defense of Buffalo, he had 50 tackles in 2010 as a sophomore. Will end up all conference at some point in his career, possibly as a junior and senior. Has the ability to play on the next level.
Key Incoming Freshmen:
• Kendal Patterson, DT: This 3 star DT out of Maryland has star potential written all over him. He is already at 275 pounds and could be a run stuffing NT at about 310 as he grows and matures.
• Joe Licata, QB: This 3 star QB out of NY may not play in 2011 but when he does get on the field, he could be a multi-year starter for the Bulls. May end up being better than all of the current QBs on the roster in the long run.
Overall Assessment:
• 3-9 was not the record Buffalo was looking for in its second year in the spread offense post-Turner Gill. The offense was not impressive at all with the running game not productive and not enough production out of the QB position. The defense was not all bad giving up 27.2 points per game while being stuck on the field more than needed due to the offensive inefficiencies. If someone can step up at QB and make the opposing defenses honor the pass, then the running game can get going and allow the Bulls to stay closer in games. Best case scenario would be 5 wins and being close to a bowl game in 2011. Worst case is another 3 or 2 win season and people beginning to question if a spread offense can work at a school like Buffalo.
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