Most starting spots have been determined for Bulls
Although the University at Buffalo has already started preparations for next week's game at UTEP, the Bulls officially break training camp with a scrimmage tonight at UB Stadium.
While most of the news surrounding camp involved the season-ending injury to senior tailback James Starks, fourth-year coach Turner Gill said this was UB's best camp in terms of consistency.
"I thought our guys improved every single day," he said. "Maybe once or twice the offense and defense maybe wasn't quite as sharp but overall this was a good camp."
Now the Bulls are ready to move on.
"It's time to really know what our team is all about and play in a game," Gill said. "You can practice all you want but there's nothing like game action in a game environment and game speed."
So the end of training camp was almost more symbolic than anything else, a sign that the season is only a heartbeat away. Gill will wait to unveil the official depth chart Monday but with camp over, here's a brief overview of each position group:
? Quarterback: No surprise here, as Zach Maynard is the starter backed up by Jerry Davis and Cory Jorgensen. Coaches love the arm of true freshman Alex Dennison but he will likely redshirt this season.
? Running back: Brandon Thermilus is the starter but three tailbacks will play regularly. One is Mario Henry who, if healthy, is a great change of pace back. The other is Ike Nduka, who brings the same elements as Henry but lacks the experience. Starks is gone, but Gill believes the Bulls can still be productive running the ball.
? Offensive line: The starters are almost set ? Matt Ostrowski at left tackle, Peter Bittner at left guard, either Matt Bacoulis or Josh Violanti at center, Robert Colpoys at right guard and Andrew West at right tackle.
? Receiver: The wideouts behind flanker Naaman Roosevelt ? Brett Hamlin, Marcus Rivers and Terrell Jackson ? have been solid and productive in training camp. Gill wants to use Hamlin and No. 1 tight end Jesse Rack in the offense. No. 2 tight end Kyle Brey will also see the field often.
? Defensive line: Steven Means and Bruno Lapointe should start at the ends and Dane Robinson and Anel Montanez at tackle. Coaches like the young depth at end.
? Linebacker: Justin Winters starts on the weak side, Scott Pettigrew or Raphael Akobundu at middle, and Imani Chatman or Darius Willis on the strong side. If someone gets injured, there's plenty of depth.
? Secondary: Not much certainty here because of some injuries. Cornerback Kendric Hawkins will miss at least the UTEP game with a knee injury, and strong safety Davonte Shannon has missed some time with a hamstring injury. Domonic Cook starts at one corner and Josh Thomas at the other. Mike Newton is a lock at free safety and if Shannon can't go, Isaac Baugh will start at strong. True freshman safety Bunduka Kargbo is also in the mix.
? Special teams: A.J. Principe is set at kicker and Peter Fardon at punter, but Jamestown native John Rachuna, who walked on last year after playing at Erie Community College, may be working himself into a specialist role on kickoffs. He'll also serve as the backup on punts and field goals.
. . .
Junior linebacker/defensive end Tom Drewes (foot) and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Gokhan Ozkan (knee) won't play in tonight's scrimmage, which begins at 9 p.m. Ozkan has also been ruled out for next week's game at UTEP. Gill will decide this morning how much Shannon will play in the scrimmage.
"It will probably be limited reps but we won't make that decision until [today]," Gill said.
Although the University at Buffalo has already started preparations for next week's game at UTEP, the Bulls officially break training camp with a scrimmage tonight at UB Stadium.
While most of the news surrounding camp involved the season-ending injury to senior tailback James Starks, fourth-year coach Turner Gill said this was UB's best camp in terms of consistency.
"I thought our guys improved every single day," he said. "Maybe once or twice the offense and defense maybe wasn't quite as sharp but overall this was a good camp."
Now the Bulls are ready to move on.
"It's time to really know what our team is all about and play in a game," Gill said. "You can practice all you want but there's nothing like game action in a game environment and game speed."
So the end of training camp was almost more symbolic than anything else, a sign that the season is only a heartbeat away. Gill will wait to unveil the official depth chart Monday but with camp over, here's a brief overview of each position group:
? Quarterback: No surprise here, as Zach Maynard is the starter backed up by Jerry Davis and Cory Jorgensen. Coaches love the arm of true freshman Alex Dennison but he will likely redshirt this season.
? Running back: Brandon Thermilus is the starter but three tailbacks will play regularly. One is Mario Henry who, if healthy, is a great change of pace back. The other is Ike Nduka, who brings the same elements as Henry but lacks the experience. Starks is gone, but Gill believes the Bulls can still be productive running the ball.
? Offensive line: The starters are almost set ? Matt Ostrowski at left tackle, Peter Bittner at left guard, either Matt Bacoulis or Josh Violanti at center, Robert Colpoys at right guard and Andrew West at right tackle.
? Receiver: The wideouts behind flanker Naaman Roosevelt ? Brett Hamlin, Marcus Rivers and Terrell Jackson ? have been solid and productive in training camp. Gill wants to use Hamlin and No. 1 tight end Jesse Rack in the offense. No. 2 tight end Kyle Brey will also see the field often.
? Defensive line: Steven Means and Bruno Lapointe should start at the ends and Dane Robinson and Anel Montanez at tackle. Coaches like the young depth at end.
? Linebacker: Justin Winters starts on the weak side, Scott Pettigrew or Raphael Akobundu at middle, and Imani Chatman or Darius Willis on the strong side. If someone gets injured, there's plenty of depth.
? Secondary: Not much certainty here because of some injuries. Cornerback Kendric Hawkins will miss at least the UTEP game with a knee injury, and strong safety Davonte Shannon has missed some time with a hamstring injury. Domonic Cook starts at one corner and Josh Thomas at the other. Mike Newton is a lock at free safety and if Shannon can't go, Isaac Baugh will start at strong. True freshman safety Bunduka Kargbo is also in the mix.
? Special teams: A.J. Principe is set at kicker and Peter Fardon at punter, but Jamestown native John Rachuna, who walked on last year after playing at Erie Community College, may be working himself into a specialist role on kickoffs. He'll also serve as the backup on punts and field goals.
. . .
Junior linebacker/defensive end Tom Drewes (foot) and redshirt freshman offensive lineman Gokhan Ozkan (knee) won't play in tonight's scrimmage, which begins at 9 p.m. Ozkan has also been ruled out for next week's game at UTEP. Gill will decide this morning how much Shannon will play in the scrimmage.
"It will probably be limited reps but we won't make that decision until [today]," Gill said.
