True freshman linebacker Darius Willis and junior linebacker/defensive end Tom Drewes will miss the remainder of the season with injuries, University at Buffalo coach Turner Gill announced on Tuesday.

Willis has a ruptured pectoral muscle in his shoulder that will require surgery, while Drewes has a lingering foot injury.

Willis, a heavily recruited linebacker out of Houston, might be able to regain an additional year of eligibility if the Bulls reach the Mid-American Conference Championship Game. A student-athlete can apply for a medical redshirt if he plays in 30 percent of the game and Willis has already appeared in four games which is 33 percent of a 12-game season which doesnt include bowl games. A 13-game season would put Willis at 30 percent and he would have four seasons of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Willis made 10 tackles, 2.5 for a loss, and a sack. The 6-1, 250-pound Drewes appeared in two games and had three tackles.

Gill added that Drewes, who is on schedule to graduate, is undecided on whether he wants to continue playing football. He sat out the 2007 season as a medical redshirt and fought through injuries last season to appear in 10 games with four starts.

Gill also announced that senior center Matt Bacoulis is out for the year with a broken leg. Bacoulis was originally slated to miss 6-8 weeks and was targeting a possible return on Nov. 10. Bacoulis, a fifth-year senior, cannot apply for a medical redshirt.

Senior cornerback Kendric Hawkins (concussion) is probable for this weeks game against Gardner-Webb.