April 29, 2012 - 9:08 AM
UB wideout Marcus Rivers (Lackawanna) has signed a free-agent deal with the Green Bay Packers that reunites him with former Bulls RB James Starks (Niagara Falls). Rivers caught 60 passes for 615 yards and 2 TDs last season. He goes 6-3, 220.
-- Bob DiCesare
May 6, 2011 - 12:43 PM
---During our NFL Draft chat last week, Bills fans were begging for the team to select a quarterback and tight end. WalterFootball.com offers a 2012 mock draft that has the Bills taking both, including USC quarterback Matt Barkley.
---Rivals.com's list of the top football/basketball programs during the BCS era.
---Here's a list of all the bowl games for the 2011-12 season.
---Rodney McKissic
May 4, 2011 - 10:16 AM
---It's only been a few days, but Josh Thomas has already learned how things are different when you're a member of the Dallas Cowboys. Thomas, pictured along with UB coach Jeff Quinn, is discovering what it means to become a part of America's Team. No longer can the unassuming Thomas walk around Dallas without being recognized.
---Rodney McKissic
May 2, 2011 - 10:20 AM
---This may make UB fans cringe considering the team's quarterback woes of last season, but former Bulls QB Zach Maynard took every rep with the first team during a controlled scrimmage Saturday, and will likely enter training camp as Cal's starter. The play of Maynard has already caused one QB to leave the school.
Maynard, you may recall, transferred from UB shortly after Jeff Quinn was hired as Turner Gill's replacement. Maynard attended a junior college before enrolling at Cal where his half brother, Keenan Allen, set a Cal single-season record for true freshmen for receptions with 46.
Maynard earned the starting job at UB as a sophomore in 2009, completing 57.5 percent of his passes for 2,694 yards, 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Maynard also had 455 rushing yards before transferring to Cal, where he could give a coach Jeff Tedford's offense a dimension it hasn't had since he coached Akili Smith at Oregon in 1998-99.
---Rodney McKissic
May 2, 2011 - 9:41 AM
---Here's some more stories about UB cornerback Josh Thomas, pictured left, who was drafted in the fifth round Saturday but his hometown Dallas Cowboys.
---Five things to know about Josh Thomas.
---A high track and field standout, Thomas once gave away his gold medal to a rival runner.
---His high school football coach says Thomas will work his tail off.
---Thomas was one of three players from the MAC selected, joining Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson, who was selected in the first round by the Jets, and Jaiquawn Jarrett, who was picked by the Eagles in the second round.
---Rodney McKissic
April 30, 2011 - 2:40 PM
UB cornerback Josh Thomas was selected in the fifth round by the Dallas Cowboys with the 143rd pick overall today. Thomas is the fifth UB player since 2000 to be selected in the draft joining Drew Haddad (2000), Trevor Scott (2008), Jamey Richard (2008) and Niagara Falls native James Starks (2010).
Thomas elevated his stock during the postseason during the East-West Shrine game and was one of five MAC players invited to the NFL Combine.
---Rodney McKissic
April 29, 2011 - 12:09 PM
---Temple Muhammad Wilkerson became the first MAC player since Northern Illinois linebacker Larry English (2009) to be selected the first round. Temple's punishing run stuffer was selected by the New York Jets with the No. 30 pick overall.
No one from the league is projected to be picked in today's 2nd and 3rd rounds. Here's a list of MAC players selected by the NFL.
---Rodney McKissic
April 27, 2011 - 9:14 AM
With the NFL Draft is approaching, Rivals.com put together a chart of draftees by conference dating back to 2000. Miami (Ohio) leads all teams in the Mid-American Conference with nine draft picks and the league had four first-round draft picks in the last decade, including Northern Illinois' Larry English, pictured above, in 2009.
UB had four draft picks since 2000 in Drew Haddad (2000), Trevor Scott (2008), Jamey Richard (2008) and Niagara Falls native James Starks (2010). CB Josh Thomas is expected to be drafted on the third day of this week’s draft. I re-arranged Rivals MAC chart to show in order of number of draftees:
Miami (Ohio)
Draft picks: 9
Last first rounder: Ben Roethlisberger, QB, 2004
Northern Illinois
Draft picks: 7
Last first rounder: Larry English, LB, 2009
Central Michigan
Draft picks: 7
Last first rounder: Joe Staley, OT, 2007
Toledo
Draft picks: 6
Last first rounder: Dan Williams, DE, 1993
Temple
Draft picks: 6
Last first rounder: Paul Palmer, RB, 1987
Akron
Draft picks: 6
Last first rounder: None
Western Michigan
Draft picks: 5
Last first rounder: Jason Babin, LB, 2004
Ball State
Draft picks: 5
Last first rounder: None
Kent State
Draft picks: 5
Last first rounder: None
Eastern Michigan
Draft picks: 4
Last first rounder: L.J. Shelton, OT, 1999
Bowling Green
Draft picks: 4
Last first rounder: Bernie Casey, WR, 1961
Ohio
Draft picks: 4
Last first rounder: Art Lewis, T, 1936
UB
Draft picks: 4
Last first rounder: None
Also from that story, is the list of the most draft picks among all schools:
1. Ohio State 73
2. USC 69
3. Miami 67
4. Georgia 61
5. Tennessee 60
6t. Florida 59
6t. Florida State 59
8. LSU 55
9. Virginia Tech 52
10t. Michigan 49
10t. Oklahoma 49
The most first-rounders:
1. Miami 26
2. Ohio State 16
3. USC 15
4t. Florida State 14
4t. Texas 14
6t. Florida 12
6t. Oklahoma 12
6t. Tennessee 12
9. Georgia 11
10. Penn State 10
---Rodney McKissic
March 17, 2011 - 3:12 PM
---Here's a recent story detailing the Wonderlic's history and the daugher of the creator of the test says, "there are problems with the Wonderlic." Here's a few sample Wonderlic questions and as Pro Football Talk notes, Jim Kelly and Dan Marino each scored a 15. Here's even more of a breakdown on the Wonderlic.
---Rivals.com lists the 10 best junior college transfers in college football history, including one of my favorites at No. 10: "Clock Killin" Corey Dillon, pictured right.
---According to Jeff Goodman of FOXSports.com, Duke point guard Kyrie Irving will be on the court Friday.
---Jalen Rose says the Fab Five were the first with the baggie shorts. Kendall Gill and Stephen Bardo say otherwise.
---Rodney McKissic
March 2, 2011 - 10:17 AM
---A six-month CBS News and Sports Illustrated investigation reveals that an alarmingly high number of college football recruits have been in trouble with the law.
---Jerry Sullivan writes that the Bills can't pass up the chance to draft Cam Newton.
---UB corner Josh Thomas runs well at the NFL Combine.
---Rodney McKissic
Western New York native Bob DiCesare covers UB football, Big 4 basketball and writes an occasional column. He still holds a grudge against Chris Ford who, he's convinced, cost St. Bonaventure the 1970 NCAA basketball championship.
Rodney McKissic began his journalism career in 1989 after graduating from the University of Cincinnati and has worked for The Buffalo News since 2001. A proud father of four children, he enjoys reading in his spare time.
Amy Moritz, a native of Lockport, hhas covered colleges for The Buffalo News since 1999. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo. An endurance athlete, she has completed several triathlons, half marathons and marathons.
