UB notebook
It’s official, Bulls going International
DETROIT — What’s good for the Bills also works for the Bulls. Toronto, here comes the University at Buffalo.
Bowl officials confirmed late Friday night that UB has accepted a bid to play in in the International Bowl in the Rogers Centre at noon Jan. 3 against an undetermined Big East opponent, probably Connecticut. The announcement came after UB knocked off unbeaten and 12th-ranked Ball State, 42-24, in the Mid-American Conference Championship Game.
“Congratulations to coach Turner Gill and his team for their outstanding season,” Ken Hoffman, executive director of the International Bowl, said in a statement. “Buffalo has a long and rich history and brings a unique element to this year’s game because of the school’s proximity to Toronto.”
UB officials confirmed that UB had accepted a bid to play in Toronto in advance of Friday’s game and was locked in no matter Friday’s result. Toronto is exceedingly attractive since bowl participants have to pay a certain portion of their expenses and are required to sell a specified number of tickets.
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UB coach Turner Gill interviewed for the opening at Syracuse University last weekend, a source told The Buffalo News on Friday. Syracuse Athletic Director Daryl Gross asked for and received permission from UB AD Warde Manuel in the days prior to the interview, the source said.
“I’m enjoying this right now and tomorrow we can talk about things in the future,” Gill said after the game. “I’m just going to enjoy tonight.”
The Syracuse Post-Standard reported that Gross has already interviewed Florida offensive assistant Steve Addazio, Minnesota Vikings assistant coach Kevin Rogers and New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Doug Marrone.
East Carolina coach Skip Holtz’s name has also surfaced as one of the front-runners for the Syracuse job.
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Gill was asked to compare UB quarterback Drew Willy with Ball State’s Nate Davis and, in his opinion, they are quite similar.
“They are both accurate passers, that’s the first thing that stands out, and they are both great leaders,” Gill said. “You see how they can lift the talent and the players around them and it carries over to the defensive side of the ball. These young men do a great job of raising the level of everyone on the football team.”
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Good thing the MAC Championship Game is played indoors. Temperature at kickoff time outdoors was a chilly 17 degrees. . . . Gill finally revealed his secret to winning in OT: “Just keep playing, baby!”. . . . School President John Simpson and his wife, Katherine, attended Friday’s game. Among the former players in attendance are Willie Evans from the famed 1958 team, former Bills offensive line coach Jim McNally and receiver Drew Haddad. . . . A number of NFL scouts attended the game, including representatives from the Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Jacksonville Jaguars. . . . UB’s Peter Fardon had a career long 57-yard punt in the second quarter.
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