1. The Zach Attack: Turner Gill and staff have been excited over QB Zach Maynard's potential in the spread option ever since they saw his high school game tapes. That's why they offered him a scholarship almost instantly, which helped lure him from the clutches of a couple of BCS schools. He has profound arm strength, advanced pocket poise and is faster than the turnaround Gill has executed with the program. The sophomore's bound to endure some growing pains, and this season opener, 1,600 miles away from Buffalo in the rowdy Sun Bowl against a unique 3-3-5 defense, throws him right into the fire.
2. Air Traffic Control: Only three returning QBs throughout the nation averaged better than Trevor Vittatoe's 265.6 passing yards a game last season. No one returns two receivers with more career TD catches than Jeff Moturi (22) and Kris Adams (14). UB contained UTEP's manic passing game in last year's 42-17 win, limiting Vittatoe to 20-of-37 for 199 yards while picking him thrice and sacking him twice. But can they do it on the road? It's UB's aim to put more pressure on the passer this season. The Bulls best get right to it.
3. Holding The Line: The Bulls ran all over the Miners in last year's 42-17 victory to set up Drew Willy's 10-of-16, 4-TD passing day. But there are three new faces on an offensive line anchored by senior right tackle Andrew West, who protects the blind side of the left-handed Maynard. And there's no James Starks, the all-conference RB who's out for the season with a torn labrum. Brandon Thermilus went for 102 yards and 2 TDs in this game last season, and he's now the main guy. UTEP will blitz out of its 3-3-5 on most every play, so it's imperative the offensive line is in synch right out of the gate. Then it falls to Maynard to make the right decisions when running the option and in the passing game.
4. Secondary? No, Primary: The performance of the secondaries should have a profound effect on the outcome. Coach Mike Price calls UB's defensive backfield one of the best UTEP will see all season, and he's right. Strong safety Davonte Shannon is a two-time all-MAC selection, and free safety Mike Newton was MVP of last year's MAC title game. Corners Domonic Cook (3 picks in '08) and Josh Thomas (3 forced fumbles) are solid. Depth increases if Kendric Hawkins gets the green light after a knee scope. They all force turnovers. Price also likes his depth in the backfield, which has been fortified by the return of Braxton Amy, who missed last season with a torn ACL. Improvement is key to making the most out of Vittatoe & Co. Miners averaged 32 ppg in their 5-7 '08 campaign ... and allowed 37 pgg.
5. Just For Kicks: UB returns punter Peter Fardon and place-kicker A.J. Principe, both reasonably reliable weapons. John Rachuna provides a strong leg that could come into play on kickoffs and FG attempts of 50 yards or so. The Miners are in transition at place-kicker, having lost the monster-legged Jose Martinez (long FG of 64 yards last season) to graduation. Freshman Logan Barrett takes over.
2. Air Traffic Control: Only three returning QBs throughout the nation averaged better than Trevor Vittatoe's 265.6 passing yards a game last season. No one returns two receivers with more career TD catches than Jeff Moturi (22) and Kris Adams (14). UB contained UTEP's manic passing game in last year's 42-17 win, limiting Vittatoe to 20-of-37 for 199 yards while picking him thrice and sacking him twice. But can they do it on the road? It's UB's aim to put more pressure on the passer this season. The Bulls best get right to it.
3. Holding The Line: The Bulls ran all over the Miners in last year's 42-17 victory to set up Drew Willy's 10-of-16, 4-TD passing day. But there are three new faces on an offensive line anchored by senior right tackle Andrew West, who protects the blind side of the left-handed Maynard. And there's no James Starks, the all-conference RB who's out for the season with a torn labrum. Brandon Thermilus went for 102 yards and 2 TDs in this game last season, and he's now the main guy. UTEP will blitz out of its 3-3-5 on most every play, so it's imperative the offensive line is in synch right out of the gate. Then it falls to Maynard to make the right decisions when running the option and in the passing game.
4. Secondary? No, Primary: The performance of the secondaries should have a profound effect on the outcome. Coach Mike Price calls UB's defensive backfield one of the best UTEP will see all season, and he's right. Strong safety Davonte Shannon is a two-time all-MAC selection, and free safety Mike Newton was MVP of last year's MAC title game. Corners Domonic Cook (3 picks in '08) and Josh Thomas (3 forced fumbles) are solid. Depth increases if Kendric Hawkins gets the green light after a knee scope. They all force turnovers. Price also likes his depth in the backfield, which has been fortified by the return of Braxton Amy, who missed last season with a torn ACL. Improvement is key to making the most out of Vittatoe & Co. Miners averaged 32 ppg in their 5-7 '08 campaign ... and allowed 37 pgg.
5. Just For Kicks: UB returns punter Peter Fardon and place-kicker A.J. Principe, both reasonably reliable weapons. John Rachuna provides a strong leg that could come into play on kickoffs and FG attempts of 50 yards or so. The Miners are in transition at place-kicker, having lost the monster-legged Jose Martinez (long FG of 64 yards last season) to graduation. Freshman Logan Barrett takes over.
