For all of the struggles the University at Buffalo football team endured, the season

essentially was decided by a few plays. Had UB made one big play against Central Florida and

Central Michigan, or defensive stops against Western Michigan and Bowling Green, the Bulls

likely would have finished with a winning record and would be preparing for another bowl game.

Five of the Bulls' seven losses were by an average of four points.

"I always thought we would win at least six ball games from here on out in our football

program, I believe we're at a stage where we should be bowl eligible every year," UB coach

Turner Gill said Tuesday. "If that doesn't happen, then that disappoints me."

Only in spurts did the team function as it had last season when UB won its first Mid-

American Conference championship, most notably Nov. 18 when UB beat Miami (Ohio) on the road

for the first time in school history. The 42-17 victory signified the season's seminal win,

but the performance was not emblematic of the year.

UB finished 82nd out of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in scoring offense. The Bulls'

net punting, punt return, kickoff return and turnover margin also rated among the country's

worst. The most troubling stat for Gill was the turnover margin. The Bulls were plus-19 in

turnover margin last season but this year finished minus-7.

"That's tough to overcome," Gill said. "If you look back at our season we had one or two of

those plays here and there and that's what cost us from having a winning record."

Injuries mounted as the season progressed, hobbling the offensive line and at tailback

where five different players led the team in rushing in one game or another. Senior James

Starks, who rushed for 1,333 yards in 2008, missed the entire season with a shoulder injury.

Equally problematic were the growing pains of first-year starting quarterback Zach Maynard.

During the first six games of the season, Maynard passed for 1,466 yards, 11 touchdowns and

seven interceptions but over the last six, he went for 1,228 yards, seven touchdowns and eight

interceptions.

But Maynard became only the ninth UB quarterback to complete at least 50 percent of his

passes (57.5) and toss for more touchdowns (18) than interceptions (15). Drew Willy is the

only quarterback in school history to do it twice (2007 and '08).

Maynard's development will be critical to a UB team that returns 14 starters on both sides

of the ball. Wide receivers will be scarce come spring practice, although Gill is high on

freshmen Alex Neutz (Grand Island) and Fred Lee, who redshirted this year. Gill also

anticipates signing three wideouts to help make up for the loss of Naaman Roosevelt and Brett

Hamlin. The competition at tailback should be quite interesting.

Defensively, the Bulls have to replace tackle Dane Robinson, free safety Mike Newton and

corner Kendric Hawkins but their potential replacements all have experience. Then there's also

the possibility of Gill leaving for another job.

It's become customary for Gill's name to be linked to other jobs, and this year the list

includes openings at Louisville and Virginia. There's also a chance Gill, the former Nebraska

player and assistant coach, could be a candidate at Kansas if the Jayhawks decide to part ways

with Mark Mangino.

"I think there's only a few schools where I would be interested and if they're interested

in myself I would evaluate it and go from there," said Gill, who added he has not been

contacted by any school. "I feel good about this program, and I feel good about this

recruiting class that we have here. We have about 12 commitments and we have five scholarships

left."

Which schools interest Gill?

"Got to ask my wife," he said, smiling.

. . .

Gill said junior cornerback Domonic Cook (St. Joe's) will undergo surgery to repair a

meniscus tear in his right knee this week. Cook is the only player scheduled for offseason

surgery although Gill said more players are being evaluated.