Bulls Wrap Up First Week of Spring Drills

BUFFALO, NY - The University at Buffalo football team wrapped up its first week of spring practice on Tuesday afternoon. Spirits were high and a sense of excitement permeated through the air at UB Stadium.

First-year head coach Jeff Quinn is pleased with the effort of his team so far.

"I really like the way the kids are playing with great effort," head coach Jeff Quinn said. "They're enthusiastic and they're excited about what we as coaches bring to the table."

Coach Quinn and his staff are not only taking this time to install a new offensive and defensive game plan, but they also want to instill their philosophies to the team.

"We want to use this time to get our system installed, but more importantly to bring the team together," Quinn said. "It allows these kids to understand how to practice against one another and how to challenge each other to competitive greatness. I want our kids to come out of spring knowing that the best offensive unit, the best defensive unit and the best special teams units are right here in Buffalo. So when they go and play, they've seen the best already every single day."

One of the philosophies that Coach Quinn believes strongly in is "The Next Bull In." He believes that every single player plays an important role on the team. That is one of the points Coach Quinn is trying in instill this spring.

"'The Next Bull In' is very important to morale," Quinn said. "Every single player in our program is important. No man is going to be left behind and every guy is important to our ability to be successful. If a guy goes down, the next man has to step in and play at that level."

The coaching staff is taking this time to evaluate talent and although the first game is not until September, Coach Quinn believes that this is the time for players to step up and prove themselves.

"If you want to be a starter, prepare like a starter, compete like a starter, perform like a starter and then you become a starter," Quinn said.

Spring camp has been full of hard hits; something you don't see at every camp. But Quinn feels this is important to the development of a champion football team.

"Football is a game of violent collisions and we want our young men to understand that that's how you play the game," Quinn said. "In order for you to be a great hitter, a great blocker, a great tackler as well as being able to catch the ball when somebody is coming up to hit you, all those things that are important to being a great football team, you have to train them to do that. That's why hitting is important in the game of football."

Spring drills will continue into April before concluding at the annual Blue and White Scrimmage on April 24th at UB Stadium.