History of Buffalo Bulls football in Timeline

The Buffalo Bulls football team represents the University at Buffalo, competing in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) as part of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). Established in 1894, the Bulls play their home games at UB Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 31,000. Currently, the team is coached by Pete Lembo. The program has a rich history and is a key part of the university's athletic identity.

1900: Buffalo Beats Penn State

In 1900, the Buffalo Bulls football team beat Penn State with a score of 10-0.

1901: James B. "Turk" Gordon coaches UB

In 1901, former player James B. "Turk" Gordon coached the UB team to a 4–2 record.

1903: Ray Turnbull coaches UB

In 1903, Ray Turnbull led the UB team to a 3–3 record.

1915: UB suspends football

After the 1903 season, UB would not again put a team on the field until 1915.

1915: Football program re-established

In 1915, UB re-established the football program, also instituting men's basketball, with both teams named the 'Bisons'.

1916: Art Powell takes over as coach

In 1916, Art Powell took over as coach of the UB football team, coaching for six seasons.

1920: Start playing on Rotary Field

In 1920, UB began playing football on what would eventually be called Rotary Field.

1922: 'Dim' Batterson coaches

In 1922, 'Dim' Batterson coached the UB football team.

1923: James Bond coaches

In 1923, James Bond coached the UB football team.

1930: Jay "Biffy" Lee coaches

In 1930, Jay "Biffy" Lee coached his last season for the UB football team.

1931: Mascot changed to the Bulls

In 1931, the university changed its mascot to the Bulls to distinguish UB from professional teams in the Queen City.

1935: Jim Peele becomes coach

In 1935, Jim Peele became the coach of the Buffalo Bulls football team, remaining at the helm until 1942.

1942: 6-2 Season

In 1942, Jim Peele led the Buffalo Bulls to a 6-2 season.

1946: 7-2 Season

In 1946, after World War II, coach Jim Peele led UB to an impressive season with a record of 7-2, though they were not selected for a bowl game.

1947: 8-1 Season

In 1947, Jim Peele led the Buffalo Bulls to an impressive 8-1 season, but they were not selected to a bowl game.

1955: Dick Offenhamer Becomes Coach

In 1955, Dick Offenhamer began his tenure as the coach of the Buffalo Bulls football team.

1958: Lambert Cup Win and Tangerine Bowl Controversy

In 1958, the Buffalo Bulls football team won the Lambert Cup. The team received an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Florida, but the offer was rescinded due to the refusal to allow black players Mike Wilson and Willie Evans to play.

1964: Willie Ross wins AFL Championship

In 1964, UB graduate Willie Ross won the AFL Championship with the Buffalo Bills, marking one of the first championships for UB graduates in professional football.

1965: Offenhamer's Departure

In 1965, Dick Offenhamer left his position as coach of the Buffalo Bulls football team.

1965: Departure of Offenhamer

In 1965, following the departure of Offenhamer, UB only lasted five more years before suspending football in 1970.

1968: Gerry Philbin wins AFL Championship

In 1968, UB graduate Gerry Philbin won the AFL Championship with the New York Jets, later winning Super Bowl III. He became one of the first UB graduates to play on professional football championship teams.

1969: Bob Deming becomes coach

In 1969, Bob Deming became coach of the UB Bulls football team.

1970: Football Program Suspended

In 1970, after some success under Doc Urich, but declining performance under Bob Deming and financial issues caused UB to suspend its football program. The main reason was that the student body voted to stop funding the team.

1977: UB begins playing football at the NCAA Division III level

In 1977, UB began playing football at the NCAA Division III level under Coach Bill Dando.

1977: Football program reintroduced

In 1977, the Buffalo Bulls football program was reintroduced, and the team played in the Division III level.

1986: Upset Villanova

In 1986 the Buffalo Bulls upset Villanova for their biggest win of the season.

1989: Bill Dando retires

In 1989, Bill Dando, the Bulls' longest-serving coach, retired after thirteen years.

1992: Jump to Division III level football

In 1992, The Buffalo Bulls played in Division III level football.

1993: Jump to Division I-AA

In 1993, the Buffalo Bulls made the jump to Division I-AA football.

1996: Winning Season Under Craig Cirbus

In 1996, under Coach Craig Cirbus, the Buffalo Bulls had a winning season, going 8-3, which was their last season at or above .500 for a dozen years.

1999: Joins Mid-American Conference

In 1999, UB joined the Mid-American Conference in Division I-A (Football Bowl Subdivision) football, retaining Craig Cirbus as head coach.

1999: Move to Division I-A

In 1999, the Buffalo Bulls moved up to Division I-A Bowl Subdivision level football.

2002: Win against Rutgers

In 2002, the Buffalo Bulls had a win on the road over Rutgers, their only win against a BCS team until 2013.

2002: First win against a BCS opponent

In 2002, the Buffalo Bulls won against Rutgers, their first win against a BCS opponent.

December 2005: Turner Gill hired as head coach

In December 2005, Turner Gill was hired as the head coach, replacing Jim Hofher.

2007: Best Season Since Joining MAC

In 2007, under Turner Gill, the Buffalo Bulls had their best season since joining the MAC, going 5-7 and becoming MAC East divisional co-champions.

November 21, 2008: MAC Eastern Division Championship

On November 21, 2008, the Buffalo Bulls won their first outright MAC Eastern Division Championship with a 40-34, 2-OT victory over Bowling Green after coming back from a 27-7 deficit in the 4th quarter.

2008: Team Profiled on ESPN's Outside the Lines

In 2008, the 1958 Buffalo Bulls team was profiled on ESPN's Outside the Lines, highlighting their refusal to play in the Tangerine Bowl due to racial segregation policies.

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2008: Mid-American Conference Champions

In 2008, the Buffalo Bulls defeated Ball State 42-24 at Ford Field in Detroit to become Mid-American Conference champions and earned an invitation to the International Bowl in Toronto.

December 20, 2009: Jeff Quinn Hired as Head Coach

On December 20, 2009, Jeff Quinn was reported as the new head coach, taking over after coaching Cincinnati in the 2010 Sugar Bowl.

2009: Gill Leaves for Kansas

In 2009, after a 5-7 season, Buffalo Bulls coach Turner Gill left to become the head coach of Kansas.

2010: Quinn's First Season

In 2010, Jeff Quinn's first season as coach, the Buffalo Bulls finished with a 2-10 record.

2013: Successful Season and Bowl Appearance

In 2013, the Buffalo Bulls had a successful season, including a 7-game winning streak, a win against Connecticut, and bowl eligibility, finishing with an 8-5 record. They played in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl against San Diego State, losing 24-49.

2013: Win against a BCS Team

In 2013, the Buffalo Bulls had a win on the road over Rutgers, their only win against a BCS team.

2014: Quinn Dismissed

In 2014, Jeff Quinn was dismissed partway through the season after accumulating a 3-4 record.

2014: Khalil Mack Drafted

In 2014, Khalil Mack was drafted 5th overall in the NFL draft by the Oakland Raiders, becoming the highest player in Buffalo history to be drafted.

2014: Lance Leipold Hired

In 2014, Lance Leipold was hired as the Bulls' next head coach.

2015: First Season with Leipold

In 2015, Lance Leipold's first season with the Buffalo Bulls resulted in a 5-7 overall standing and a 3-5 Mid-American Conference result.

September 24, 2016: Win Against Army

On September 24, 2016, the Buffalo Bulls won against the Army Black Knights, with a score of 23-20.

October 27, 2016: Win Against Akron

On October 27, 2016, the Buffalo Bulls won against the Akron Zips, with a score of 41-20.

June 2017: Approval for Indoor Athletic Training Facility

In June 2017, the university received state approval for the construction of an $18 million indoor athletic training facility, which would be built north of UB Stadium.

October 7, 2017: Buffalo Bulls vs. Western Michigan Broncos

On October 7, 2017, the Buffalo Bulls played at home against the Western Michigan Broncos. The Bulls battled back to tie the game 31–31, scoring 17 points in the 4th quarter, but eventually lost 71–68 after 7 overtimes.