HuskieDan Wrote:Question for Buffalo and/or MAC East fans - when NIU first played Buffalo in the MAC, the word was that the Bulls simply didn't have 1A talent. Guys were too small, too slow, just not the same level of player. Have you seen roster talent upgrades yet at Buffalo?

Since UB flew the the ranks to become a 1A program they didn't have time to develop their players to D-1A caliber. I think when we first became D-1A our coach was still in the non D-1A mode of thinking and recruiting. Since he has been fired Hofer has done a good job of trying to get better players. We are starting to recruit more from good football areas, and trying to develop talent at the D-1A level. Hofer seems to have stayed away from the quick-fix JUCO transfer, and this year should be the first year we see if we have better quality players. Each year before this we have been working with older kids recruited by the old coach, or younger kids recruited by Hofer. We now have some upper classmen that should give us a gauge as to how well we're doing.

I was very impressed with Buffalo last year. They are making great strides, although they still have a ways to go.

If Buffalo's football program can make half the strides their basketball program did last year, they'll be in good shape for the future.