Maine faces test vs. Buffalo> Bulls stampede to respectability in fourth year at I-AA level

Last year, the University of Buffalo went 3-8 for the second consecutive season. This fall, the Bulls have charged into the ranks of the respected in Division I-AA football.

This is Buffalo’s fourth season since moving up to the Division I ranks, and its progress has finally become evident. The Bulls’ 1996 turnaround is not unlike that of this week’s opponent, the University of Maine.

As an independent team, Buffalo has played a diverse schedule including Yankee Conference teams Connecticut and Massachusetts (both losses), along with three victories over opponents from the non-scholarship Patriot League.

Buffalo has established a reputation as a hard-hitting team that boasts a balanced offensive attack. Defensively, the Bulls have bullied their opponents into committing 33 turnovers, including 23 fumbles. They rank seventh in Division I-AA with a turnover margin of plus 1.70.

Leading the defensive charge for 7-3 Buffalo is senior inside linebacker Craig Guest, who ranks among the country’s top tacklers with 131. The Bulls also have received steady play from inside ‘backer Dan Curcione (64 tackles), outside linebacker Adam Tardif (62 hits) and end Anthony Scott (51 tackles, six forced fumbles).

Buffalo has been more prone to surrendering yardage through the air than on the ground, but opponents have generated an average of 362 total yards against the Bulls.

The offensive unit has taken care of its share of the workload most of the time, generating a healthy 23.6 points per outing. Buffalo runs to set up the pass, but has been successful in both areas.

Junior tailback Anthony Swan is the catalyst of the run game, having piled up 1,056 yards and eight touchdowns to help the Bulls net 172 yards per contest. He is complemented by fullback Todd Pace, who has powered his way to 738 yards and four TDs.

Edward Ellis, a 6-foot-7, 317-pound senior offensive tackle, anchors the Bulls’ offensive line. He has attracted NFL scouts to Buffalo.

Senior quarterback Mark Taylor is coming off the most productive game of his career. He completed 26 of 42 passes for 411 yards and three scores as Buffalo beat New Haven 24-20.

Taylor has been an excellent decision-maker for the Bulls, completing 105 of 204 throws (.515) for 1,459 yards and eight touchdowns. He has been intercepted only four times after having 19 passes picked off last season.

The two most dangerous receivers are junior wide receiver Jamie Gasparre and sophomore wideout Kali Watkins. Gasparre has 40 catches for 654 yards and eight TDs, while Watkins has caught 36 passes for 583 yards and three scores.

The kicking game features punter and place-kicker Gerald Carlson. He is averaging almost 40 yards per punt and has hit 26 of 29 PATs. Carlson has a strong leg, having booted a 54-yard field goal, but he has made only 10 of 25 attempts.