The journey toward the August 30 season opener at Rutgers took another step today as the University at Buffalo football team took to the field in full pads for the first time during fall camp. As has been the case during each practice this fall, the quarterbacks were wearing green jerseys, the remainder of the offensive players wore blue and the defense wore white, the entire team was outfitted in white pants with two blue stripes down each side.
After yesterday’s rain and clouds, the sun was back today, beating down on the UB Stadium turf and making for a fifth-straight warm afternoon on UB’s North Campus.
With the team in full gear for the first time, goal line situations were incorporated into today’s practice. One of the more noteworthy plays during that session was a pitch to James Starks in which it looked as if he would be stopped in the backfield. But Starks used a stutter-step and cut to freeze the defenders and give himself an angle toward the end zone. Despite the move, Starks still found himself met at the goal line by linebacker Ollice Ervin. Overall, the goal line session swung back and forth, with both the offense and defense taking turns having the advantage.
Ernest Jackson made the most spectacular play among the receiving corps today when he made a leaping grab over two defenders to complete a 20-yard play. Brett Hamlin and Naaman Roosevelt also continue to be impressive among the wide receivers. Meanwhile, Matt Bacoulis, Jamey Richard and Jeff Niedermier all made plays that had Offensive Line Coach Allen Mogridge excited as the o-line had a very good day.
On the defensive side of the ball, Trevor Scott continues to find his way to the quarterback while Kendric Hawkins made his presence known in the secondary. Freshman linebacker Fred Branch also had an interception today.
Thursday, the UB football team will once again be on the field at UB Stadium as they continue working their way toward the season opener.
