COLLEGE FOOTBALL
UB scrimmage could serve as springboard
Obviously, the biggest question that might be answered in Saturday’s Blue and White scrimmage at the University at Buffalo is: How does prospective new starting quarterback Zach Maynard look?
The interest in Maynard’s performance is understandable. The sophomore left-hander will be asked to step up as the replacement for Drew Willy, who is waiting to see where he ends up after next week’s NFL draft.
Willy directed an attack that averaged 30.3 points a game and 370.3 yards a game in UB’s exhilarating march to the Mid-American Conference championship and a berth in the International Bowl in Toronto. Most of the other offensive weapons are back, so the outlook at the quarterback position is of prime importance.
“Zach has done well. He’s progressed quite a bit,” said UB head coach Turner Gill, who is looking forward to his fourth season with the Bulls.
Maynard has a step on the competition for the position and will get most of the reps with the first offensive unit in Saturday’s spring game.
Also to be watched is how much progress Gill and his staff are making in rebuilding the Bulls’ offensive and defensive lines.
Only left guard Peter Bittner (Williamsville North) and right tackle Andrew West are back from last year’s offensive unit. Bittner will miss the scrimmage with a thumb injury.
Walk-on Robert Colpoys (Niagara- Wheatfield) moved to the fore at right guard, but he also will miss the spring game because of a knee injury. The extent of Colpoys’ injury will be known in the next day or so. According to Gill, Matt Ostrowski has had a strong spring practice so far at left tackle.
On the defensive line, UB will have to replace Mike Thompson, Andrae Smith and Ron Hilaire from last year’s rotation. Returning tackle Anel Montanez, Richie Smith, Bruno Lapointe, Kevin Johnson and Jerry Housey are players to watch.
Changes in staff assignments find new coaches handling each line. Aaron Stamn is coaching the offensive line after spending his first three seasons on the staff as tight ends coach and special teams coordinator. Brian Mohnsen takes over the defensive line after working exclusively with defensive ends last season.
Of course, the biggest staff changes find Fred Reed taking over for the departed Jimmy Williams as defensive coordinator after spending his first season on the staff coaching defensive backs, and quarterbacks coach Danny Barrett moving up to offensive coordinator, duties Gill handled himself last season. Gill said he is pleased with how the coaches and players have adjusted to the changes in coordinators.
The challenge for UB will be to defend its MAC title and become a consistent winner. That will have to be done with the knowledge that the Bulls will have become a target for the rest of the conference.
“It’s all about continuing to get better,” Gill said. “You’ve got to be better than what you were last year. We’re not quite ready to play, but we still have a lot of time.”
The Blue and White Scrimmage, which wraps up 14 sessions of spring practice for Gill’s team, will begin at 3 p. m. Gates to UB Stadium will open at 2 p. m. The first half of the scrimmage will be two regulation quarters to be followed by 30 minutes of running time. The offense will score points in the conventional way while the defense will get its points for various successful plays or series.
Saturday will also be Select-A-Seat Day at the stadium. Prospective purchasers can check out locations for seating in various 2009 season ticket packages.
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There will be several notable absentees from Saturday’s scrimmage. All- MAC running back James Starks (shoulder), safeties Mike Newton and Davonte Shannon and defensive lineman Dane Robinson (hand) have not participated in spring practice because they are recovering from surgery.
Starks’ absence gives Brandon Thermilus, Mario Henry and Ike Nduka, all capable backs, more playing time in the scrimmage.
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