Buffalo football hoping to sustain success under Maurice Linguist

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DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 18: Kevin Marks Jr. #5 of the Buffalo Bulls runs the ball during the second half of the Rocket Mortgage MAC Football Championship against the Ball State Cardinals at Ford Field on December 18, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. The Ball State Cardinals won the game 38-28. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Offense has to fill a major void

The most critical loss is Patterson, after rushing for 3,884 yards and 52 touchdowns in his Buffalo career. Although Patterson was not drafted, he was signed with the Washington Football Team

Kevin Marks Jr. returns, after receiving significant playing time last year, rushing for 741 yards and seven touchdowns, while being Patterson’s backup.

Marks has been the thunder to Patterson’s lightning over the past three seasons, with 2,621 yards and 28 touchdowns. Even with being the backup the last three years, Marks has arguably been the second-best running back in the conference.

Marks should head into the season as the best running back in the conference and should make considerable NFL draft “buzz” in his 2021 season.

Quarterback Kyle Vantrease returns for his final season in Buffalo. With the new coaching change, this may feature more passing games for Vantrease.

After a mediocre two seasons as the starter under center, Vantrease is looking for his best performance last. Even with his 62.3 percent completion rate, he only threw 154 passes in 2020.

The leading receiver returns as a senior in Jovany Ruiz. However, with Maurice Linguist as the head coach, the expectation is for the passing game to be featured more.

The Bulls should do well along the offensive line, with Jake Fuzak and Jack Klenk are the starters that were semi-finalists for the Joe Moore Award, for the country’s best offensive line. Although projected NFL draft pick Mike Novitzsky dashing for Kansas is a monumental loss

Linguist brought in one of the best offensive coordinators in the FCS ranks in Shane Montgomery from James Madison.

The year prior, the Dukes ranked third in points per game in the FCS at 40, while finishing 12th nationally last year, at 447.5 yards per game.

Although this offense is not expected to be fifth in scoring next year, it should be a significant bright spot and Montgomery has the talent around him, to continue the success in the MAC, he had from the FCS.

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