We’re entering a golden era of UB Football

BUFFALO, NY- 2008. 2013. 2018. 2019. 2020

For a school that lacks tradition and a history of success in college football, the years listed above represent the gold standard of UB football.

In 2008, Buffalo head coach Turner Gill guided the school to their first MAC Championship, defeating No. 12 Ball State 42-24 at Ford Field in Detroit to secure the Bulls first winning season as a Division I program.

Five years later, Khalil Mack captured the attention of the college football universe, dominating Braxton Miller and Ohio State on his way to becoming the first Bulls player drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft.

Let’s fast-forward another five years to 2018. Tyree Jackson had the best season of any Buffalo quarterback, earning MAC Offensive Player of the Year honors on his way to guiding the Bulls to their first 10-win season in program history.

Then just last year, UB made history once again, picking up their first bowl win in a dominating 31-9 Bahamas Bowl victory over Charlotte.

Those are just a few of the great moments in the Bulls abbreviated history but the best has yet to come.

We’re entering a golden era of UB football.

It all began the moment Danny White took a chance on Wisconsin-Whitewater head coach Lance Leipold.

It took the six-time Division III national champion head coach three years to start reaping the fruit of his labor, guiding the Bulls to bowl eligibility in 2017 behind the incredible season by wide receiver Anthony Johnson.

Despite their potent passing attack at the time, more often than not, UB has gotten things done as a result of their running game.

Buffalo displays a bruising offensive line that creates massive holes for the dynamic duo of Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks.

On the defensive side of the ball, Malcolm Koonce has established himself as one of the best defensive ends in college football while James Patterson keeps reminding everyone that his brother Jaret isn’t the only Patterson making big plays on the gridiron.

The talent throughout their roster is undeniable.

Leipold has developed a consistent winner with Buffalo well on their way to becoming bowl eligible for a fourth consecutive season.

His staff has created a path to success on the field while establishing NFL level talent — and this is only beginning.

Behind the legs of Heisman hopeful Jaret Patterson, the Bulls are off to their best start in program history, sitting at 4-0, ranked 27th in the AP Poll and 32nd in the Coaches Poll.

A win over Ohio on Saturday will clinch the MAC East and likely catapult UB to their first Top 25 ranking since joining Division I.

The accolades figure to continue.

Patterson’s monster performances the past two weeks, rushing for a combined 710 yards and 12 touchdowns against Bowling Green and Kent State have garnered national attention for the junior running back and the Bulls program.

His 409 yards and eight touchdowns against the Golden Flashes represent one of the best games in the history of college football, falling 18 yards short of the single-game NCAA record while tying its touchdown mark.

Patterson has firmly established himself as the best offensive player in school history, surpassing the likes of James Starks, Branden Oliver, Naaman Roosevelt, Anthony Johnson and Tyree Jackson.

He joins Khalil Mack as the two most recognizable names representing UB football.

Those are the caliber of players that elevate a program.

The definition of success at a MAC school isn’t the same as Alabama, Clemson or Notre Dame.

When you consider Buffalo’s history and where they’ve come from to get to the present moment, their turnaround is astonishing.

Fans should never take the future for granted but they should feel good about the foundation that’s being laid.

For a school that lacks football tradition, they’re quickly throwing their sloppy history into the past. 

We’re entering a new age of UB football.