Buffalo
Buffalo

Buffalo Team Report

Updated: April 26, 2012 02:31 EST

After 15 practices and the annual spring game, Jeff Quinn still couldn't answer Buffalo's most pressing issue: Who will start at quarterback for the season opener at Georgia? Will it be redshirt freshman Joe Licata or junior Alex Zordich?

The competition is too close to call at this point.

"It was hard to determine who was that guy," Quinn said. "They both played well and they each had moments in the (spring) game that were good. We're going to need them both. ... The spring game made it more challenging to decide which guy was the guy. No guy clearly left the spring game as the guy."

So who will claim the job? Zordich has experience as a starter two years ago as a true freshman and was the backup to Chazz Anderson last season.

"You have to lean a little bit toward Zordich because he played for us for two years," Quinn said.

But Licata took the first snaps during practice and completed a higher percentage of his passes throughout the spring.

"His progress has been outstanding and he's only going to get better," Quinn said. "He has a heck of an accurate arm and he's learning the speed of the game."

Quarterback options heading into the offseason -- or is it dilemma? -- is something Quinn should be used to. Last spring both Zordich and Jerry Davis performed well before Anderson, a transfer from Cincinnati, entered the picture when he was added to the roster last July. Anderson won the job in training camp and although the team struggled, put up solid numbers.

In Quinn's first spring at Buffalo two years ago -- after Zach Maynard transferred to Cal -- Davis and redshirt freshman Alex Dennison battled it out with Davis receiving the nod in training camp. Davis was wildly inconsistent and was benched in favor of Zordich, who started four games before suffering a broken ribs injury that ended his season.

"Not having a solid starter heading into training camp isn't by design," Quinn said.

"It's kind of the way the cards were played," he added. "Alex has two years left and Joe has four years and I'm going to let these two dictate who's ready to lead and work through all phases in the offseason and through fall camp."

Whoever wins the job will have plenty of experience at his disposal. Buffalo returns 55 lettermen including 18 starters.

Twelve true freshmen were able to play significant roles during Quinn's first two seasons and with 18 starters returning this is the third-year coach's most experienced team.

"I really like where our kids are at and we really made a lot of improvement start to finish in our 15 practices and our spring game," Quinn said. "Overall I feel good about where our team is. We keyed in on the fundamentals and a better understanding on what it takes to win each week in the MAC."'

--Nine members of the incoming recruiting class will finish their prep careers with a chance to play in postseason all-star games. Of the nine signees, three players are scheduled to play in the 30th Eddie Meath All-Star Football Game which features the best players in Western New York. Participating in the game are offensive lineman Jaden Cotton, athlete Jordan Johnson, wide receiver Marcus McGill.

--Buffalo announced a $1 million gift to the athletic department from former Bulls hockey player Tunney Murchie and his family. The donation, one of the largest single commitments in Buffalo history, will be used toward projects in UB Stadium and Alumni Arena, including a new entrance to the football office center. Construction on other multi-purpose spaces begin later this year.

SPRING MOVERS:

WR Cordero Dixon -- The Bulls were heavily hit by graduation at the wideout position and Dixon managed to step up. Dixon and fellow sophomore Devon Hughes will duke it out for the No. 2 receiver role behind Alex Neutz.

QB Joe Licata -- Licata didn't leave spring as the top quarterback option, but he took the majority of the snaps with the first team and has a slight edge over Alex Zordich because of his accuracy.

LB Lee Skinner -- Skinner moved up the depth chart simply because of his grasp of the new defense under first-year coordinator Lou Tepper. Sophomore Khari Brown also developed nicely in what should be an interesting competition at inside linebacker alongside Jaleel Verser.

LB Khalil Mack -- Sure he's the team's top defensive player but Quinn says he's bigger, stronger and more disruptive than a year ago when he was a first-team All-MAC selection. That's scary.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "Competition is going to be a part of it all the time, especially at the quarterback position. Accept it. You've got to love it and get better from it." -- Junior quarterback Alex Zordich.

2012 OUTLOOK: A 5-19 record over the last two years is not what the Buffalo faithful expected after hiring Quinn away. The program's biggest adjustment has been on offense where players haven't fully taken to Quinn's pass-heavy spread. While Oliver is one of the MAC's premier tailbacks, Quinn is breaking in another quarterback where results so far have been a mixture of wild inconsistency coupled with doses of promise. Defensively, Mack could emerge as the conference's best player and there's enough talent to keep Buffalo competitive until the offense grows. Nevertheless, this is critical season for Quinn. Warde Manuel, the man who hired Quinn, is now the athletic director at Connecticut and the yet-to-be named AD probably won't be enamored with five victories. It doesn't help that the schedule is more challenging than last season.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: Junior tailback Bo Oliver is one of the conference's premier rushers and already has NFL scouts talking. He'll be well protected by an offensive line that returns four starters. Depth behind Oliver, nevertheless, needs to be developed. Buffalo graduated three receivers but returns one of the MAC's best in junior Alex Neutz. Quinn must decide between junior Alex Zordich and redshirt freshman Joe Licata, a local product, at quarterback.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: There was a smooth transition with new coordinator Lou Tepper and cornerbacks coach Maurice Linguist who installed a few wrinkles to the three and four down multiple system. At linebacker junior Khalil Mack, who has earned respect from NFL scouts because of his athletic ability, is back along with Jaleel Verser and Lee Skinner. The Bulls need better production from senior defensive end Steven Means, a three-year starter who recorded just 2.5 sacks as a junior while end Colby Way is back after a breakout sophomore season. The Bulls were hit hard by graduation in the secondary after Quinn's first season but this year returns both corners in Cortney Lester and Najja Johnson and safety Isaac Baugh.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS: Quinn is still evaluating the roles of punter and punt returner, the team's most glaring areas to fill, at the end of spring drills. Kicker Patrick Clarke handled the punt duties but the job will likely go to signee Tyler Grassman come training camp. The leading returner is Brandon Murie who is also the backup tailback.

TOP NEWCOMERS:

QB Collin Michael -- A strong, big quarterback with a lot of potential who the Buffalo coaching staff hopes can fill the void at the open quarterback spot. Rated as a three-star recruit by Scout.com.

DT Corey Madlock -- Local product who can help fill the middle of Buffalo's defensive line. Scout.com ranks Madlock as a three-star recruit. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder already has college-aged size, but his conditioning must be improved.

OL Robert Riche -- At 6-foot-6 and 275 pounds, Riche may be one of the best offensive line recruits in Buffalo's history. Riche spurned several schools in favor of Buffalo.

S Brandon Berry -- ESPN labels Berry as one of the top 50 recruits in Michigan. His ability to stop the run and penchant for the big play might lead to early playing time at Buffalo.

ROSTER REPORT:

--When senior tailback Jeffvon Gill left the program, he left Buffalo without much experienced depth in the backfield behind Oliver. Brandon Murie is listed as the backup but junior James Potts is also in the mix.

--Last year's starting center, Graham Whinery, was limited throughout the spring while recovering from a shoulder injury.

--Sophomore Andre Davis moved from guard to left tackle.