AMHERST, N.Y.—Now that coach Turner Gill has proven he can spin straw into gold by turning Buffalo into a winner last season, he’s preparing for his next challenge: Showing the Bulls can do it more than once.
“That’s what everybody drives for. Are you going to be able to do it day after day, year after year?” Gill said, as the Bulls wrapped up their spring practice sessions. “So that’s where it’s at. And that’s a good thing. You’ve got to take the first step to take the next step.”
The first step was a doozy.
In only his third year as coach, Gill led Buffalo (8-6) to its first winning season in 10 years in the Division I-A ranks, its first Mid-American Conference title and first bowl appearance at any level, a 38-20 loss to Connecticut in the International Bowl.
The Bulls’ unprecedented success lifted the frustrations of a program that had been regarded as a laughingstock after posting a 10-69 record from 1999-2005, prior to Gill’s arrival.
If the objective is to surpass last year’s success, the Bulls are going to have to do it with several new faces, starting at quarterback. Sophomore Zach Maynard is set to take over for Drew Willy, who completed his four-year career at Buffalo by setting nearly every school passing record.
Gill has confidence in Maynard, who saw spot duty as a freshman, and is familiar with the Bulls offense after working with the second team in practice last season.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Maynard is lanky, but has a strong arm and is also very mobile, allowing the Bulls to consider introducing the option to their offensive attack.
In the Bulls annual spring scrimmage last weekend, Maynard went 15-of-35 for 129 yards, and capped a 75-yard scoring drive with a 4-yard touchdown rushing.
“I like his demeanor. I like his composure,” Gill said. “Zach is definitely deserving to be our starter at this point in time.”
Though the option is something Gill was familiar in running during his playing days at Nebraska, the former Cornhuskers’ star quarterback refuses to say that’s necessarily the best for the Bulls.
“I’m comfortable with just moving the football and scoring points. It doesn’t matter how we do it,” said Gill, who has handed over the offensive play-calling duties to quarterbacks coach Danny Barrett, who has been elevated to the position of coordinator.
Maynard won’t have to do it by himself, as the Bulls return two key stars, running back James Starks and receiver Naaman Roosevelt, who combined to score 30 of the team’s 56 touchdowns last season.
Another bonus Buffalo derived from last season is the confidence to win, something the team hadn’t had in the past.
“We’re going to talk about success, because now you know how to do that,” Gill said. “Once you’ve done it one time, then you shouldn’t have any doubts. You shouldn’t have any hesitation. You should now believe even more.”
Roosevelt can sense the difference in the team’s mood.
“That made a big impact on us, knowing that we can do it,” said Roosevelt, who set single-season school records with 104 catches for 1,402 yards and 13 touchdowns receiving. “We’ve come back confident, especially with winning last year.”
The defense will feature new coordinator Fred Reed, who takes over after Jimmy Williams was not rehired after last season. It’s a unit that lost three starters along the defensive line.
The Bulls return both starting safeties, Mike Newton and Davonte Shannon, and cornerback Domonic Cook, who led Buffalo with three interceptions and four fumble recoveries. A highly touted freshman, linebacker Darius Willis of Houston, is expected to compete for a starting job.
“We’re in line in what we’re trying to get done in this program,” Gill said. “I feel good about where we’re at.”
