Lembo-led Bulls figure to ride run-heavy attack
BUFFALO BULLS
2023 RECORD: 3-9 (3-5 MAC)
2024 MAC Head Coaches Poll: 10th
2023 RECORD: 3-9 (3-5 MAC)
2024 MAC Head Coaches Poll: 10th
MRO STAFF
After recording just three wins in 2023, the Buffalo Bulls decided it was time for a change. Enter Pete Lembo!
This is the veteran's second stint with a Mid-American Conference team, with the first act playing out in Muncie (Ball State Cardinals).
As he had at other stops, he brought relative success to BSU rather quickly. The Cardinals went 6-6 in his first year at the helm and 19-7 (with two bowl appearances) over the the next two campaigns.
Given the most recent . . .
After recording just three wins in 2023, the Buffalo Bulls decided it was time for a change. Enter Pete Lembo!
This is the veteran's second stint with a Mid-American Conference team, with the first act playing out in Muncie (Ball State Cardinals).
As he had at other stops, he brought relative success to BSU rather quickly. The Cardinals went 6-6 in his first year at the helm and 19-7 (with two bowl appearances) over the the next two campaigns.
Given the most recent . . .
. . . UB winning season was 2020 (6-1), getting the Bulls back on a winning track is a priorty.Lembo is a respected coaching veteran who could be a good fit for the program.
OFFENSE:
Buffalo's identity has embraced a strong running game, and with QB Cole Snyder gone (Eastern Michigan), available ingredients suggest UB can/will ride the run.
Senior quarterback CJ Ogbonna appeared in five games last year. Although he completed just 38.1 percent of his passes (8/21, 87 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT), Ogbonna averaged 4.2 ypc and scored three TDs among his 51 carries.
There is an experienced line up front (4 starters return) and Jacqez Barksdale (6-0, 230) has the size to compliment a power game. He averaged 4.8 ypc last year while recording 52 carries over five games.
Unfortunately, there are many questions relevant to establising a passing game. Identifying a QB -- backup or otherwise -- with passing skills will be part of the fall camp agenda.
As for receivers, Nike McMillan caught 13 balls totaling 180 yards with one TD last year. He is a promising target if he can stay healthy. Taji Johnson is a 6-3 (215) grad transfer from Boston College.
OFFENSE:
Buffalo's identity has embraced a strong running game, and with QB Cole Snyder gone (Eastern Michigan), available ingredients suggest UB can/will ride the run.
Senior quarterback CJ Ogbonna appeared in five games last year. Although he completed just 38.1 percent of his passes (8/21, 87 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT), Ogbonna averaged 4.2 ypc and scored three TDs among his 51 carries.
There is an experienced line up front (4 starters return) and Jacqez Barksdale (6-0, 230) has the size to compliment a power game. He averaged 4.8 ypc last year while recording 52 carries over five games.
Unfortunately, there are many questions relevant to establising a passing game. Identifying a QB -- backup or otherwise -- with passing skills will be part of the fall camp agenda.
As for receivers, Nike McMillan caught 13 balls totaling 180 yards with one TD last year. He is a promising target if he can stay healthy. Taji Johnson is a 6-3 (215) grad transfer from Boston College.
DEFENSE:
As with offense, the Bulls ranked eighth among MAC teams in scoring defense (27.4 ppg) and total defense (367.1 ypg).
UB lost several of its top tackles. LB Joe Andreesen (89 stops) is now with the OTHER Buffalo team (Buffalo Bills). DB David Grant (79 tackles) is also still in New York state -- but at Syracuse.
Redshirt sophomore Red Murdock was third on the Bulls roster with 58 tackles. He appeared in 12 games, starting six in 2023. Fellow linebacker Dion Crawford played in 11 games (2 starts) as a freshman last year.
Senior C.J. Bazile (6-3, 260) anchors an experienced defensive line. Likewise, there is experience in the secondary, where safety Macus Fuqua returns. He was fourth in the team in tackles last year and earned All-MAC First Team honors in 2022.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Alex McNulty is gone, so UB must replace its kicker, with a UMass transfer and freshman battling for the job at fall camp. Anthony Venneri set several school punting records in his sophomore campaign but transferred to Ohio State.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
>> Lembo was hired January 21, but with his extensive experience and reputation, likely had the network to assemble a solid staff.
>> Cole Snyder was a huge piece of UB's passing game in 2023. His absence figures to put even more pressure on Buffalo's run game.
>> It's easier to project a Buffalo rise over the next 2-3 years than in 2024. However, there is strength along both lines and the non-conference schedule isn't exactly murdererers row. Buffalo faithful would probably feel pretty good about bowl eligibility in Lembo Year I.
As with offense, the Bulls ranked eighth among MAC teams in scoring defense (27.4 ppg) and total defense (367.1 ypg).
UB lost several of its top tackles. LB Joe Andreesen (89 stops) is now with the OTHER Buffalo team (Buffalo Bills). DB David Grant (79 tackles) is also still in New York state -- but at Syracuse.
Redshirt sophomore Red Murdock was third on the Bulls roster with 58 tackles. He appeared in 12 games, starting six in 2023. Fellow linebacker Dion Crawford played in 11 games (2 starts) as a freshman last year.
Senior C.J. Bazile (6-3, 260) anchors an experienced defensive line. Likewise, there is experience in the secondary, where safety Macus Fuqua returns. He was fourth in the team in tackles last year and earned All-MAC First Team honors in 2022.
SPECIAL TEAMS:
Alex McNulty is gone, so UB must replace its kicker, with a UMass transfer and freshman battling for the job at fall camp. Anthony Venneri set several school punting records in his sophomore campaign but transferred to Ohio State.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
>> Lembo was hired January 21, but with his extensive experience and reputation, likely had the network to assemble a solid staff.
>> Cole Snyder was a huge piece of UB's passing game in 2023. His absence figures to put even more pressure on Buffalo's run game.
>> It's easier to project a Buffalo rise over the next 2-3 years than in 2024. However, there is strength along both lines and the non-conference schedule isn't exactly murdererers row. Buffalo faithful would probably feel pretty good about bowl eligibility in Lembo Year I.
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