UB Bulls to host Baylor Bears Friday night

Junior quarterback Joe Licata remembers sitting on the team bus after Buffalo’s 70-13 loss to Baylor in Waco, Texas last season.

He looked over at now graduated wide receiver Alex Neutz. Neutz, who had six receptions for 197 yards and a touchdown in the game, wasn’t happy.

Licata said Neutz told him, “Next year you better get those guys.”

The Bulls (1-1) host reigning Big 12 Conference champion, No. 8 Baylor (2-0) Friday night. The game will be UB Stadium’s first appearance on ESPN.

“We’re excited to have another opportunity to face off against a great team and to do it in front of our fans is going to be a great experience,” Licata said.

Buffalo is faced with the challenge of defending Baylor’s high-scoring, quick tempo offense. The Bears have outscored opponents 115-6 in their first two games, despite missing some of their key starters.

Baylor senior quarterback and Heisman trophy candidate Bryce Petty missed the Bears’ game last week with two cracked bones in his back. Baylor defeated Norfolk State 70-6 with backup quarterback Seth Russell throwing for 438 yards and five touchdowns. Petty is set to start Friday against Buffalo.

He will be without his returning four leading receivers from last season. Wide receivers Antwan Goodley, Levi Norwood, Corey Coleman and Clay Fuller are all expected to miss Friday’s game with injuries.

Despite being without some of its best offensive weapons, head coach Jeff Quinn believes Baylor is just as dangerous and said Buffalo’s defense has been spending extra time to prepare.

“They were here a long time last night,” Quinn said. “Some of them lost a little bit of hair and I know they lost a lot of sleep. I appreciate those gentlemen on the defensive side of the ball.”

Buffalo’s offense mimicked Baylor’s quick paced offense in practice in order to prepare the defense. Quinn said the Bulls even let their receivers jump the snap count to prepare for Baylor’s speed and quickness.

Buffalo’s defense struggled in the first two games of the season, allowing 322 passing yards to Duquesne in the season opener and 341 rushing yards to Army last week.

Quinn said the Bulls need to make adjustments in order to handle the current No. 2 offense in the country.

“Defensively, just too many big plays, we need to clean that up,” Quinn said. “That’s just not like us. We know we’re going to be challenged again this week … Certainly is going to take everything we have defensively to defend them.”

Baylor’s defense is also ranked No. 2 in the country and has allowed just six points in two games.

The defense features All-American candidates linebacker Bryce Hager and defensive end Shawn Oakman. The Bears recorded 12 sacks in their first two games.

“They’re big and physical up front,” Quinn said. “They play real hard, they have a lot of confidence. Their defense has improved over the course of the past few years.”

The game will be a ‘blackout.’ The Bulls will wear all black jerseys and unveil a new black helmet. The school is also selling ‘blackout’ T-shirts.

“It’s going to be a great experience out here Friday night,” Licata said. “I know the fans are real excited, as they should be. It’s a great opportunity to showcase our venue, our program, and I hope the fans are ready to go. Because it’s going to be real exciting.”

Kickoff is set for for 8 p.m. Country artist Joe Nichols – highlighted by hit songs “Yeah,” “Sunny and 75” and “Tequila makes her clothes fall off” – will perform a free concert two hours before kickoff.

email: sports@ubspectrum.com

Baylor (+35) vs. Buffalo: Staff predictions

Owen O'Brien (2-0), Managing Editor: Baylor

@owenobri: Joe Nichols' "The Impossible" is the best way to describe this game. Baylor will score at least 80 points regardless of the quarterback.

Tom Dinki (2-0), Senior Sports Editor: Baylor

@tomdinki: Buffalo allowed 322 passing yards to Duquesne and 341 rushing yards to Army. Baylor could very well do both and have this spread beat by the second quarter.

Andy Koniuch (1-1), Sports Editor: Baylor

@andykoniuch: Even with players like Khalil Mack, Buffalo lost 70-13 to Baylor last season. With an already shakey start, Bulls' defense is going to have a rough time against the Big 12 champs.

Jordan Grossman, Asst. Sports Editor: Baylor

@jordanmgrossman: Baylor put up 70 last week, it has the No. 2 offense in the country and Bryce Petty is returning from injury. Buffalo, brace yourself for a long day.