Anthone Taylor uses motivation from his departed friend and current mentor to lead Bulls

Anthone Taylor pointed toward the sky after his game-winning touchdown Saturday.

The gesture is more than just a celebration for the junior running back; it’s a commemoration to his lost friend and former teammate – Jason Bitsko.

"Whenever I score I always point up, because I want [Jason] to know that I’m not forgetting him,” Taylor said. “I feel like sometimes he gives me that extra push to get into the end zone, or he sets an invisible block nobody sees. I know he’s always with me when I step onto the field.”

Bitsko, who was Kent State’s center, passed away in his sleep Aug. 20 due to an undetermined medical issue, according to police reports. The two grew up together in Huber Heights, Ohio together and were teammates at Wayne High School.

Taylor was unable to attend Bitsko’s funeral because of financial issues and football conflicts.

Taylor thought of another way to give back.

He wanted to wear No. 54 throughout the season, but was told he wouldn’t be an eligible receiver. So, he decided to wear Bitsko’s number at practice and during postgame press conferences.

“I wrote a message on my cleats, ‘R.I.P. No. 54,’ so whenever I go out [on the field], not only do I keep him in my spirit, but also on my feet when I run,” Taylor said.

Taylor is Buffalo’s junior running back who emerged Saturday in the Bulls’ 35-27 victory over Miami Ohio. He ran for a career-high 222 yards and three touchdowns.

He had a lot on his mind entering Saturday’s contest. Taylor was thinking about Bitsko, his mentor Branden Oliver who reached out to him just before the game and getting revenge against the school that revoked his scholarship offer.

He’s dedicated the 2014 season to keeping his friend’s memory alive.

“He was bigger than himself,” Taylor said. “I don’t know if he realized it, but he touched a lot of peoples’ lives. I admire that and try to model my life after him.”

Taylor also draws inspiration from his parents – particularly his mother.

Throughout his years at Wayne High School, Taylor’s mother “always made sure [her son] was all right before she took care of herself,” Taylor said.

His mother’s work ethic has been a driving force behind Taylor’s upbeat perspective on life. His determination on and off the field stems from the lessons he’s learned from his mother.

“I’m ready to come out here every day to work,” Taylor said. “Even if I don’t feel 100 percent, I still give 100 percent. I just want to make sure to make it to the next level and take care of her someday. Even if I don’t make it to the next level, I want to be in the best position to take the burden off of her.”

Oliver, Taylor’s former teammate and UB’s all-time rushing leader, has made it to the “next level.” He plays for the San Diego Chargers.

Like Bitsko, “Bo” still has an impact on Taylor’s life.

“Bo’s like one of my best friends; I can talk to him about anything,” Taylor said. “If I’m having trouble with anything he always gives me clarity of mind, even when he’s not around me.”

Before Saturday’s game against Miami Ohio, Oliver texted Taylor telling the UB running back that he would have a big game. During the contest, Oliver tweeted Taylor that he would run for at least 200 yards.

Taylor’s 222-yard performance was the fifth best in Buffalo’s Division-I era. It was also only 27 yards shy of Oliver’s record of 249 yards.

He recorded more rushing yards than any Division-I player in the country last week.

“Bo texted me he was watching, so I knew I had to put on a show for him,” Taylor said. “It was a huge relief to live up to his expectations.”

Oliver often calls Taylor to discuss what the emerging running back still needs to improve on. Throughout their three years together, Taylor has learned to “read blitzes more effectively and identify threats quicker” under his mentor and former teammate.

The two speak at least once a week, according to Taylor.

“It’s huge that I still have my mentor,” Taylor said. “I grew up in college watching and learning a lot from him, looking up to him. He still teaches me things.”

Taylor grew up fewer than 60 miles from Miami Ohio’s campus. The RedHawks scouted Taylor at Wayne High School, while he was teammates with Bitsko.

Before Taylor could accept Miami Ohio’s offer, the school went through a coaching change. The new staff decided not to offer Taylor a scholarship.

"I told myself if I ever got the opportunity to play against [the RedHawks] that I’ll make them regret the decision,” Taylor said.

And Taylor delivered on his promise.

He exceeded his previous career-high of 154 yards – which occurred in last season’s game against Miami Ohio – on Saturday. Taylor has 376 rushing yards and averages 7 yards per carry in two games against the school that gave up on him.

“[Taylor’s] had a great example over the last four years with [Branden Oliver] and he knows he has to fulfill that role,” said head coach Jeff Quinn. “There’s high expectations here and he’s certainly being more mature and more responsible relative to the outcome of games.”

Taylor is one piece of what’s been called the “three-headed beast” at Buffalo.

Sophomore running back Jordan Johnson and junior running back Devin Campbell are the other two “monsters” that form the “beast.”

Together, the three have accumulated 962 rushing yards, with Taylor contributing 611 yards and six touchdowns.

Taylor sees himself as a “combo, one-cut back.” He said Johnson is more “powerful” and Campbell “has his speed.”

“You can use either of us at any time, we have a three-headed beast because at any time you get a monster depending on what you want: A monster with speed, a monster with power and a monster with a cut,” Taylor said.

Even on game days when he has to wear No. 1, Taylor has No. 54 on his cleats.

He is never running on the field alone.

email: sports@ubspectrum.com