There's no longer a weekly competition at quarterback at the University at Buffalo.
True freshman Alex Zordich showed enough in Saturday's 21-9 loss to visiting Miami (Ohio) to win the starting nod for Thursday night's game at Ohio, one of the tri-leaders in the Mid-American Conference East.
Zordich completed 16 of 33 passes for 210 yards against the RedHawks and was sacked five times. The numbers don't amount to a ringing endorsement unless it's noted that Zordich also went without an interception. Picks plagued UB's season-opening starter, Jerry Davis.
"He's a great competitor, he didn't throw any interceptions, we took a couple sacks," coach Jeff Quinn said on Monday's coaches' teleconference. "And again, he was like 'I didn't want to put the ball out there for somebody to get it. I'd rather take that sack, coach. I just didn't feel comfortable.' OK, it's better to take that sack than to give them a turnover so that's progress at his position.
"He fumbled the ball trying to make a first down in an extra effort. I think those are all positive things. I think he gives us our best chance at being successful and that's who we're going to stick with right now."
Quinn threw the position open after the Bulls were thumped, 45-14, at Northern Illinois on Oct. 16. Zordich won out, taking over in the 42-0 loss to visiting Temple on Oct. 23. UB has tried to relieve the burden on both its quarterbacks by striving for a more consistent running game. That approach has met with little success as a offensive line depleted by injuries and short on depth continues to struggle.
When the score dictated UB throw more in the second half, time became an issue.
"We got to do a better job up front protecting him," Quinn said. "We got to do a better job in terms of tight ends blocking, running backs blocking, offensive line blocking and trying to make the connection between the true freshman with some junior wide receivers."
Ohio has turned its season around in a flash after a 1-3 start. The Bobcats (6-3, 4-1) beat Louisiana-Lafayette, 38-31, in non-conference play Saturday, running to five a winning streak during which they've scored at least 30 points. Quarterback Boo Jackson threw three TDs in the game, becoming the Bobcats' all-time career leader with 32. Ohio's offensive might figures to put a heavy burden on a UB defense unless the Bulls begin generating some offensive momentum.
"We've got to do a better job offensively moving the chains and obviously executing the things we have in place," Quinn said. "We're putting our defense in some tough short fields. They're on the field too much. We need to move the chains."
Meanwhile, UB sophomore linebacker Jaleel Verser remains day-to-day after missing the Miami game with a leg injury. Sophomore Dalonte Wallace made his presence felt in Verser's absence, producing four tackles and a sack.
True freshman Alex Zordich showed enough in Saturday's 21-9 loss to visiting Miami (Ohio) to win the starting nod for Thursday night's game at Ohio, one of the tri-leaders in the Mid-American Conference East.
Zordich completed 16 of 33 passes for 210 yards against the RedHawks and was sacked five times. The numbers don't amount to a ringing endorsement unless it's noted that Zordich also went without an interception. Picks plagued UB's season-opening starter, Jerry Davis.
"He's a great competitor, he didn't throw any interceptions, we took a couple sacks," coach Jeff Quinn said on Monday's coaches' teleconference. "And again, he was like 'I didn't want to put the ball out there for somebody to get it. I'd rather take that sack, coach. I just didn't feel comfortable.' OK, it's better to take that sack than to give them a turnover so that's progress at his position.
"He fumbled the ball trying to make a first down in an extra effort. I think those are all positive things. I think he gives us our best chance at being successful and that's who we're going to stick with right now."
Quinn threw the position open after the Bulls were thumped, 45-14, at Northern Illinois on Oct. 16. Zordich won out, taking over in the 42-0 loss to visiting Temple on Oct. 23. UB has tried to relieve the burden on both its quarterbacks by striving for a more consistent running game. That approach has met with little success as a offensive line depleted by injuries and short on depth continues to struggle.
When the score dictated UB throw more in the second half, time became an issue.
"We got to do a better job up front protecting him," Quinn said. "We got to do a better job in terms of tight ends blocking, running backs blocking, offensive line blocking and trying to make the connection between the true freshman with some junior wide receivers."
Ohio has turned its season around in a flash after a 1-3 start. The Bobcats (6-3, 4-1) beat Louisiana-Lafayette, 38-31, in non-conference play Saturday, running to five a winning streak during which they've scored at least 30 points. Quarterback Boo Jackson threw three TDs in the game, becoming the Bobcats' all-time career leader with 32. Ohio's offensive might figures to put a heavy burden on a UB defense unless the Bulls begin generating some offensive momentum.
"We've got to do a better job offensively moving the chains and obviously executing the things we have in place," Quinn said. "We're putting our defense in some tough short fields. They're on the field too much. We need to move the chains."
Meanwhile, UB sophomore linebacker Jaleel Verser remains day-to-day after missing the Miami game with a leg injury. Sophomore Dalonte Wallace made his presence felt in Verser's absence, producing four tackles and a sack.
