Dark skies greeted the University at Buffalo football team as they took to the UB Stadium turf to begin day four of fall camp. Just as practice began in earnest, those dark skies opened and the Bulls were greeted by a heavy shower to open practice. That shower did not last long however, and soon the conditions returned to those of the high humidity that has become a staple of early fall camp. Again today, the team was outfitted in shorts along with helmets and shoulder pads.
Special teams provided a new wrinkle today as it was the first day with an extended kickoff return and coverage session. With Naaman Roosevelt back returning kicks, the return game looks to again be a dynamic, explosive unit.
When the 11-on-11 period began, the Bulls were joined on the field by officials for the first time during camp. The four officials joining the team called penalties as if it were a live game and served as a reminder that the August 30 opener at Rutgers is not far away. During the 11-on-11, quarterback Drew Willy was sharp as he was able to spread the ball around to a variety of receivers. The longest play of the day came when receiver Gary Rice got behind the defense for a 45-yard reception.
The running game had a nice day today as both Mario Henry and Brandon Thermilus made runs of 15-plus yards. Quarterbacks Zack Ingle and Ed Young each also had long runs out of scramble situations. Young made a downfield juke move that drew quite a reaction from his teammates.
Defensively, a pair of freshman, Domonic Cook, a local product from St. Joseph’s in Buffalo, and Josh Copeland both had good days in the secondary.
The Bulls return to the field tomorrow and are expected to be in full pads for the first time during 2007 fall camp.
