2020 Buffalo Bulls football team
{{short description|American college football season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox college sports team season
| year = 2020
| team = Buffalo Bulls
| sport = football
| image =
| image_size = 120
| conference = Mid-American Conference
| division = East Division
| short_conf = MAC
| APRank = 25
| CoachRank = 25
| record = 6–1
| conf_record = 5–0
| head_coach = Lance Leipold
| hc_year = 6th
| off_coach = Andy Kotelnicki
| oc_year = 6th
| cooff_coach1 = Jim Zebrowski
| cooc1_year = 4th
| off_scheme = Multiple pro-style
| def_coach = Brian Borland
| dc_year = 6th
| codef_coach1 = Chris Simpson
| codc1_year = 1st
| def_scheme = 4–3
| captain =
| stadium = University at Buffalo Stadium
| champion = Camellia Bowl champion
MAC East Division champion
| conf_champ = MAC Championship Game
| conf_champ_result = L 28–38 vs. Ball State
| bowl = Camellia Bowl
| bowl_result =W 17–10 vs. Marshall
| uniform = 250px
}}
{{2020 Mid-American Conference football standings}}
The 2020 Buffalo Bulls football team represented the University at Buffalo in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Bulls were led by sixth-year head coach Lance Leipold and played their home games at the University at Buffalo Stadium as members of the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. In a limited season, which was initially canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic before being reinstated, the Bulls finished the season 6–1, 5–0 in MAC play to win the East Division. They lost to Ball State in the MAC Championship. They received an invite to the Camellia Bowl where they defeated Marshall.
Following the season, Leipold left the team to coach at Kansas on April 30, 2021.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-30|title=Kansas hires Buffalo's Leipold to replace Miles|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/31364799/kansas-expected-hire-buffalo-lance-leipold-football-coach-sources-say|access-date=2021-06-28|website=ESPN.com|language=en}} A few days later, the school named Michigan co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist the team's new head coach.{{Cite web|title=Buffalo hires Michigan co-defensive coordinator Maurice Linguist as coach to replace Lance Leipold|url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/buffalo-hires-michigan-co-defensive-coordinator-maurice-linguist-as-coach-to-replace-lance-leipold/|access-date=2021-06-28|website=CBSSports.com|language=en}}
Preseason
=Award watch lists=
Listed in the order that they were released
class="wikitable" | ||
align="center"
|align="center" Colspan="3" |East Division | ||
align="center"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Buffalo Bulls|Predicted finish|Team|Votes (1st place)}} | ||
align="center"
| 1 | Ohio | 144 (24) |
align="center"
| 2 | Miami | 107 |
align="center"
| 3 | Buffalo | 100 |
align="center"
| 4 | Kent State | 62 |
align="center"
| 5 | Akron | 54 |
align="center"
| 6 | Bowling Green | 37 |
Season recap
The Bulls played their first game of 2020 against Northern Illinois in Dekalb, Illinois, on November 4 after a delayed start to the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Jaret Patterson ran for 137 yards including for two touchdowns. Quarterback Kyle Vantrease recorded his first two touchdowns of the season with a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown to Antonio Nunn. The Buffalo defense scored 3 touchdowns on their own with 2 fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns by Tim Terry Jr. and Isaiah King and an interception returned for a touchdown by Kadofi Wright en route to the Bulls 49–30 win.{{cite web|title=Bulls vs Huskies|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401249859 |date=November 4, 2020 |accessdate=December 17, 2020}}
The Bulls home opener at UB Stadium occurred six days later against the Miami Redhawks. Kevin Marks Jr. ran for 109 yards compared to Jaret Patterson's 73, but with Patterson rushing for 2 touchdowns. Kyle Vantrease completed 4 touchdown passes as Buffalo defeated Miami 42–10. Buffalo received 1 vote in week 12's AP Poll, their first vote received in the poll of the season.{{cite web|title=Bulls vs Redhawks|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401249890 |date=November 10, 2020 |accessdate=December 17, 2020}}
A week later Buffalo went back on the road traveling to Doyt L. Perry Stadium in Bowling Green, Ohio, to take on the Bowling Green Falcons. Jaret Patterson erupted for 301 yards while scoring 4 touchdowns on 31 carries with fellow Buffalo running back Kevin Marks Jr. and quarterback Kyle Vantrease also recording a rushing touchdown each in Buffalo's 42–17 win in Bowling Green. Buffalo received 3 votes in week 13's AP Poll.{{cite web|title=Bulls vs Falcons|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401249868 |date=November 17, 2020 |accessdate=December 17, 2020}}
The Bulls played their first Saturday game of the season on November 28 against Kent State at UB Stadium. Jaret Patterson rushed for over 400 yards, coming within striking distance of breaking the FBS record for most yards rushed for in a game. He scored 8 touchdowns which tied the record for most FBS touchdowns by one player in a single game. Patterson's massive performance was done on only 36 carries throughout the game, with teammate Kevin Marks Jr. also getting 16 carries and recording 2 rushing touchdowns on his own. Patterson's impressive performance against Kent State earned him national attention and calls for him to be added to the watchlist for the Heisman Trophy. Buffalo defeated Kent State 70–41 and received 56 votes in week 14's AP Poll, coming within striking distance of a national ranking.{{cite web|title=Bulls vs Golden Flashes|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401249877|date=November 28, 2020 |accessdate=December 17, 2020}}
The following week, Buffalo was slated to play the Ohio Bobcats, but because of a COVID-19 outbreak on the Ohio football team, the game was canceled. Nevertheless, Buffalo increased their share of the vote in the AP Poll to 145, good for a No. 24 ranking in the poll. This was the first national ranking in Buffalo football program history.{{cite web|title=Bulls vs Bobcats|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401249882|date=December 5, 2020 |accessdate=December 17, 2020}}
Buffalo finished off their regular season on December 12 against Akron at UB Stadium. Jaret Patterson was sparsely used against Akron, receiving the entire second half of the game off. Patterson and Marks Jr. each recorded 2 rushing touchdowns each as Buffalo defeated Akron 56–7 and finished the regular season undefeated at 5–0. The Bulls once again increased their share of the vote in the AP Poll up to 186, good to jump up a position in the poll to No. 23.{{cite web|title=Bulls vs Zips|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401249886|date=December 12, 2020 |accessdate=December 17, 2020}}
Roster
{{American football roster/Header|year=2020|team=Buffalo Bulls|teamcolors=y
|offensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=1|first=Antonio|last=Nunn|pos=WR|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=2|first=Ron|last=Cook Jr.|pos=RB|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=3|first=Daniel|last=Lee|pos=WR|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=4|first=Trevor|last=Bycznski|pos=QB|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=5|first=Kevin|last=Marks|pos=RB|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=6|first=Casey|last=Case|pos=QB|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=7|first=Kyle|last=Vantrease|pos=QB|class=JR|rs=y|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=8|first=Dylan|last=McDuffie|pos=RB|class=SO|rs=y|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=9|first=Dominic|last=Johnson|pos=QB|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=10|first=Matt|last=Myers|pos=QB|class=SO|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=12|first=Aaron|last=Chase|pos=QB|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=13|first=Carlton|last=Todd|pos=WR|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=17|first=Bernard|last=Porter|pos=WR|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=18|first=Trevor|last=Wilson|pos=WR|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=19|first=Javien|last=Cuff|pos=WR|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=21|first=Kolbe|last=Burrell|pos=RB|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=25|first=Tajay|last=Ahmed|pos=RB|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=26|first=Jaret|last=Patterson|pos=RB|class=JR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=28|first=Caron|last=Robinson|pos=RB|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=30|first=Ryan|last=Razzano|pos=RB|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=34|first=Trevor|last=Borland|pos=TE|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=36|first=Cole|last=Burniston|pos=TE|class=SO|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=37|first=Jailen|last=Nias|pos=RB|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=44|first=Jake|last=Molinich|pos=TE|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=47|first=Wyatt|last=Molinich|pos=TE|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=58|first=Alain|last=Schaerer|pos=OL|class=SO|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=59|first=Jake|last=Fuzak|pos=OL|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=60|first=Trevor|last=Cahill|pos=OL|class=SO|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=62|first=Mike|last=Novitsky|pos=OL|class=SO|rs=y|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=63|first=A. J.|last=Urbaniak|pos=OL|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=64|first=Mike|last=Dempsey|pos=OL|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=65|first=Michael|last=Ford Jr.|pos=OL|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=66|first=Jacob|last=Gall|pos=OL|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=68|first=Donovan|last=Cornelius|pos=OL|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=69|first=Gabe|last=Wallace|pos=OL|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=70|first=Nick|last=Zikuski|pos=OL|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=71|first=Ray|last=Thomas-Ishman|pos=OL|class=GS}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=72|first=Deondre|last=Doiron|pos=OL|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=73|first=Kayode|last=Awosika|pos=OL|class=SR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=74|first=Bence|last=Polgar|pos=OL|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=75|first=Sam|last=Todd|pos=OL|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=76|first=Anthony|last=Laudicina|pos=OL|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=77|first=Caelan|last=Shepard|pos=OL|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=78|first=Tyler|last=Doty|pos=OL|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=79|first=Jack|last=Klenk|pos=OL|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=80|first=Tyler|last=Stephens|pos=TE|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=82|first=Tyree|last=O'Neill|pos=WR|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=83|first=Marlyn|last=Johnson|pos=WR|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=84|first=Jackson|last=Westfall|pos=WR|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=86|first=Tahliq|last=Battle|pos=WR|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=87|first=Jovany|last=Ruiz|pos=WR|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=88|first=Dajuan|last=Hudson|pos=WR|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=89|first=Zac|last=Lefebvre|pos=TE|class=SR}}
|defensive_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=0|first=Eddie|last=Wilson|pos=DT|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=3|first=Aapri|last=Washington|pos=CB|class=JR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=4|first=Isaiah|last=King|pos=CB|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=5|first=Tim|last=Terry Jr.|pos=LB|class=JR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=6|first=Max|last=Michel|pos=LB|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=7|first=E. J.|last=Brown|pos=S|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=10|first=Marcus|last=Fuqua|pos=S|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=11|first=Wankeith|last=Akin Jr.|pos=CB|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=12|first=Lonnie|last=Rice|pos=LB|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=13|first=Sean|last=Colgan|pos=LB|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=15|first=Ali|last=Abbas|pos=CB|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=17|first=Jahkeel|last=Reef|pos=CB|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=18|first=Roy|last=Baker|pos=LB|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=19|first=Shemar|last=Hayes|pos=CB|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=20|first=James|last=Patterson|pos=LB|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=22|first=Mark|last=Davis|pos=CB|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=23|first=Keith|last=Woetzel|pos=LB|class=GS}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=24|first=Corey|last=Gross Jr.|pos=S|class=SO|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=25|first=Caleb|last=Tate|pos=LB|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=27|first=Tyree|last=Thompson|pos=LB|class=GS}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=28|first=Jalen|last=McNair|pos=S|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=29|first=Larry|last=Robbins|pos=CB|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=30|first=Rich|last=Miller|pos=LB|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=31|first=Kadofi|last=Wright|pos=LB|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=32|first=Owen|last=Chambers|pos=S|class=SO|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=33|first=Tyrone|last=Hill|pos=S|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=35|first=Logic|last=Hudgens|pos=LB|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=36|first=Nick|last=Hunter|pos=DE|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=38|first=Bryce|last=Johnson-Maith|pos=DE|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=39|first=Dylan|last=Powell|pos=CB|class=JR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=42|first=Brendan|last=Pyne|pos=LB|class=GS}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=43|first=Jason|last=McCarthy|pos=LB|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=45|first=Evan|last=Gantley|pos=S|class=JR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=47|first=Caleb|last=Arena|pos=LB|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=49|first=Taylor|last=Riggins|pos=DE|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=50|first=Malcolm|last=Koonce|pos=DE|class=SR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=51|first=Zander|last=Heim|pos=DE|class=JR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=52|first=Shaun|last=Dolac|pos=LB|class=FR|link=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=53|first=C. J.|last=Bazile|pos=DE|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=55|first=Kyler|last=Laing|pos=DE|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=56|first=Jake|last=Zimmer|pos=LB|class=SO|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=61|first=Dom|last=Polizzi|pos=DL|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=90|first=George|last=Wolo|pos=DT|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=91|first=Mason|last=Hoose|pos=DE|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=93|first=Michael|last=Tetteh|pos=DT|class=FR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=94|first=Eric|last=Black|pos=DE|class=JR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=95|first=Tyrece|last=Woods Jr.|pos=DT|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=96|first=Jordan|last=Avissey|pos=DE|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=99|first=Ronald|last=McGee|pos=DT|class=JR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=99|first=Frendy|last=Darelus|pos=DE|class=JR|rs=y}}
|special_teams_players=
{{American football roster/Player|num=14|first=Jackson|last=Baltar|pos=K, P|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=16|first=Alex|last=McNulty|pos=K|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=37|first=Evan|last=Davis|pos=LS|class=SO}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=40|first=Evan|last=Finegan|pos=P|class=JR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=57|first=Jeremiah|last=Riordan|pos=LS|class=SR}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=85|first=James|last=Hook|pos=P|class=FR|rs=y}}
{{American football roster/Player|num=95|first=Garrett|last=Selover|pos=K|class=FR|rs=y}}
}}
{{American football roster/Footer|roster_url=https://ubbulls.com/sports/football/roster/2020 |accessdate=April 24, 2019
|head_coach=
|asst_coach=
- Rob Ianello (Associate head coach / recruiting coordinator / wide receivers)
- Brian Borland (defensive coordinator / cornerbacks)
- Andy Kotelnicki (offensive coordinator / running backs)
- Scott Fuchs (offensive line)
- Alan Hensell (tight ends)
- Chris Simpson (Linebackers / defensive run game coordinator)
- Brad McCaslin (defensive tackles)
- Jim Zebrowski (Quarterbacks / Co-offensive coordinator / passing game coordinator)
- Taiwo Onatolu (defensive ends / special teams coordinator)
- Jeff Burrow (safeties)
- Matt Gildersleeve (head strength and conditioning coach)
- Ryan Wilson (graduate assistant)
- Daniel Allen (graduate assistant)
- James Daniels (graduate assistant)
- Isaac Reed (graduate assistant)
}}
Schedule
Buffalo originally had a game scheduled against Ohio State, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |last1=Myerberg |first1=Paul |title=Big Ten football reduces season schedule to only conference games, maybe setting stage for others to follow |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/2020/07/09/big-ten-football-reduces-season-schedule-only-conference-games/5408329002/ |website=USA TODAY |accessdate=10 July 2020}} Buffalo played a regular season consisting of games against MAC teams only.
{{CFB schedule
| rankyear = 2020
| poll = AP Poll and CFP Rankings (after November 24) released prior to game
| timezone = Eastern
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = {{tooltip|November 4|Wednesday}}
| away = y
| time = 7:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| opponent = Northern Illinois
| site_stadium = Huskie Stadium
| site_cityst = DeKalb, IL
| tv = ESPN2
| score = 49–30
| attend = 449
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = {{tooltip|November 10|Tuesday}}
| away =
| time = 8:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| opponent = Miami (OH)
| site_stadium = UB Stadium
| site_cityst = Buffalo, NY
| tv = ESPN
| score = 42–10
| attend = 0
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = {{tooltip|November 17|Tuesday}}
| away = y
| time = 7:00 p.m.
| w/l = W
| opponent = Bowling Green
| site_stadium = Doyt Perry Stadium
| site_cityst = Bowling Green, OH
| tv = CBSSN
| score = 42–17
| attend = 1,500
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = November 28
| away =
| time = 12:00 p.m.
| w/l = w
| opponent = Kent State
| site_stadium = UB Stadium
| site_cityst = Buffalo, NY
| tv = CBSSN
| score = 70–41
| attend =
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 5
| away = y
| time = 3:30 p.m.
| w/l = No contest
| opponent = Ohio
| site_stadium = Peden Stadium
| site_cityst = Athens, OH
| tv = CBSSN
| score =
| attend =
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = December 12
| away =
| time = 2:30 p.m.
| w/l = w
| rank = 24
| opponent = Akron
| site_stadium = UB Stadium
| site_cityst = Buffalo, NY
| tv = CBSSN
| score = 56–7
| attend =
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = {{tooltip|December 18|Friday}}
| neutral = y
| time = 7:30 p.m.
| w/l = l
| rank = 23
| opponent = Ball State
| site_stadium = Ford Field
| site_cityst = Detroit, MI
| gamename = MAC Championship Game
| tv = ESPN
| score = 28–38
| attend = 0
}}
|{{CFB schedule entry
| date = {{tooltip|December 25|Friday}}
| time = 2:30 p.m.
| neutral = y
| nonconf = y
| w/l = W
| opponent = Marshall
| site_stadium = Cramton Bowl
| site_cityst = Montgomery, AL
| gamename = Camellia Bowl
| tv = ESPN
| score = 17–10
| attend = 2,512
}}
}}
{{notelist|group=schedule}}
Rankings
{{Further|2020 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings}}
In week 12, Buffalo received votes in the AP Poll for the first time since the 2018 season. They were nationally ranked for the first time in program history when the week 15 poll was released, ranked at No.24 in the AP Poll. The following week they were raised to No. 23.
{{NCAA Division I FBS CFP ranking movements
| year = {{2020}}
| finalpollweek = 17
| cfpfirstweek = 12
| AP_pre = NR
| coaches_pre = NR
| AP_1 = NR
| coaches_1 = NR
| AP_2 = NR
| coaches_2 = NR
| AP_3 = NR
| coaches_3 = NR
| AP_4 = NR
| coaches_4 = NR
| AP_5 = NR
| coaches_5 = NR
| AP_6 = NR
| coaches_6 = NR
| AP_7 = NR
| coaches_7 = NR
| AP_8 = NR
| coaches_8 = NR
| AP_9 = NR
| coaches_9 = NR
| AP_10 = NR
| coaches_10 = NR
| AP_11 = NR
| coaches_11 = NR
| AP_12 = RV
| coaches_12 = NR
| cfp_12 = NR
| AP_13 = RV
| coaches_13 = NR
| cfp_13 = NR
| AP_14 = 24
| coaches_14 = RV
| cfp_14 = NR
| AP_15 = 23
| coaches_15 = RV
| cfp_15 = NR
| AP_16 = RV
| coaches_16 = RV
| cfp_16 = NR
| AP_17 = 25
| coaches_17 = 25
}}
After the season
=NFL draft=
{{main|2021 NFL draft}}
The following Bull was selected in the National Football League draft following the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/2017/draft.htm|title=2017 NFL Draft Listing|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=July 31, 2023}}
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=Buffalo Bulls|border=2|Round|Pick|Player|Position|NFL club}} | ||||
3 | 79 | Malcolm Koonce | Defensive end | Las Vegas Raiders |
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Buffalo Bulls football navbox}}
Category:Buffalo Bulls football seasons