BUFFALO, NY - University at Buffalo head
football coach Jeff Quinn announced his team's summer
two-deep while commenting on his first spring practices in his
inaugural season at the helm of the Bulls.
Quinn was very excited about the response that the Bulls gave to him and his new coaching staff, and at the amount of work that was accomplished in the team's 15 practice sessions.
"I liked the way the kids responded to our coaching.," said Quinn. "They were very enthusiastic and showed the ability to really concentrate in a tight-minded focus. We asked them to play fast, with great speed, and they did that on a consistent basis. We asked them to play physical and strong and all of our contact issues were answered.
"We have a good core group that we are working with," Quinn said. "The other thing that was critical this spring with the coaching change was the installation of both our offensive and defensive strategies and to see the way they responded to those changes. I think that was demonstrated in a very positive way in the way they played in the spring game."
The offense won a close hard-fought Blue-White scrimmage, 49-41, with both sides of the ball showing promise. The offense accounted for a total of 434 yards, including 323 yards through the air, while the defense also had its share of big plays, with eight tackles for loss, three sacks and a pair of takeaways.
"I saw the defense take the ball away twice and one resulted in a TD (a 66-yard fumble return by Mark Richardson),"said Quinn. "Our defense displayed the sort of opportunistic mentality we are looking for. I really liked the way our quarterbacks, both Alex (Dennison) and Jerry (Davis), performed. They did a nice job in terms of being effective and efficient in throwing the ball. We had some good rhythm with our offense and were able to successfully complete 63% of our passes."
Now that the Bulls have successfully seen their way through the first spring practice under Coach Quinn's direction, the critical off-season is next up in Buffalo's plans in regaining the Mid-American Conference championship.
"It always comes back to the things we talk about," said Quinn. "The number one thing is guys all have to be in the boat rowing in the same direction. We need them to commit by sacrifice and we need every guy to do that this summer, to not only build upon the success to this point but to take it up another notch.
"Their work volume has to improve because we have to realize we haven't played a game yet and one of the most challenging things to do is win Division I football games, " Quinn said. "That's why all the time, the energy and effort they put in has to show they will be there for each other."