What Is 2015 Buffalo Bulls football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2015 Buffalo Bulls football team represented the University at Buffalo in the NCAA Division I FBS season, finishing with a 2–10 record under head coach Lance Leipold. They played their home games at UB Stadium and competed in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division.

Key Facts

The 2015 Buffalo Bulls finished the season with a 2–10 overall record
Head coach Lance Leipold led the team in his first season after replacing Jeff Quinn
They played in the MAC East Division and went 1–7 in conference play
Home games were held at UB Stadium in Amherst, New York
Quarterback Joe Licata was a senior leader and four-year starter

Overview

The 2015 Buffalo Bulls football team represented the University at Buffalo during the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division, the team struggled under new head coach Lance Leipold, who took over following the departure of Jeff Quinn.

Buffalo finished the season with a 2–10 overall record and a 1–7 mark in conference play, failing to qualify for a bowl game for the fifth consecutive year. Despite high expectations due to returning key players, the team faced challenges in offensive consistency and defensive discipline.

Record: The Bulls ended the 2015 season with a 2–10 overall record, their worst since 2004, reflecting difficulties in both offense and defense.
Head coach: Lance Leipold began his tenure in 2015, transitioning from Division III powerhouse UW–Whitewater, where he won six national titles.
Conference: As members of the MAC East Division, the Bulls faced teams like Ohio, Miami (OH), and Bowling Green in a competitive conference.
Home stadium: UB Stadium, located on the university's Amherst, New York campus, hosted all home games with a capacity of approximately 31,000.
Quarterback: Senior Joe Licata started all 12 games, finishing his career with over 9,000 passing yards and 64 touchdowns across four seasons.

How It Works

The structure and performance of the 2015 Buffalo Bulls season were shaped by coaching changes, player development, and conference dynamics. Each element contributed to the team's on-field results and long-term trajectory.

Offensive System: The team operated a pro-style offense emphasizing short passes and play-action, designed to maximize quarterback Joe Licata’s experience and decision-making under pressure.
Defensive Scheme: Buffalo utilized a 3-4 base defense, which struggled in 2015 due to inexperience in the secondary and frequent big plays allowed.
Recruiting Impact: Leipold’s first recruiting class included 19 signees, many from Western New York, aiming to build local talent pipelines for future seasons.
Strength and Conditioning: The program implemented a new training regimen under Leipold, focusing on endurance and agility to improve performance in MAC’s physical style.
Schedule Difficulty: The Bulls played a tough non-conference slate, including games against Power Five teams like West Virginia and Penn State.
Player Turnover: The 2015 season marked the end of the tenure for several key seniors, including Licata and wide receiver Alex Neutz, creating a leadership vacuum.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2015 season can be better understood by comparing it to recent years in terms of records, coaching, and performance trends.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game
2011	3–9	2–6 (MAC)	Jeff Quinn	No
2012	4–8	2–6	Jeff Quinn	No
2013	8–5	5–3	Jeff Quinn	Yes (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
2014	2–10	0–8	Jeff Quinn	No
2015	2–10	1–7	Lance Leipold	No

The 2015 season mirrored the struggles of 2014, though a slight improvement in MAC play (1–7 vs. 0–8) suggested incremental progress under new leadership. Despite continuity in record, the change in coaching philosophy laid groundwork for future rebuilding.

Why It Matters

The 2015 season was a transitional year that highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in rebuilding a struggling FBS program. While results were disappointing, the season set the foundation for cultural and structural changes.

Coaching Transition: Leipold’s arrival marked a shift toward disciplined, fundamentally sound football, drawing from his successful Division III background.
Player Development: The season emphasized developing younger players, with true freshmen seeing significant playing time on both sides of the ball.
Recruiting Strategy: Leipold focused on in-state talent, aiming to strengthen local ties and improve roster depth over time.
Facility Upgrades: The university invested in athletic facilities during this period, including upgrades to UB Stadium and training centers.
Long-Term Vision: Though 2015 was a losing season, it was part of a multi-year plan to restore competitiveness in the MAC.
Program Identity: The season underscored the need for a clear, consistent philosophy in both recruiting and game management moving forward.

Ultimately, the 2015 Buffalo Bulls season was not defined by wins but by the early stages of a broader rebuild. While immediate success was elusive, the changes initiated during this year would influence the program for years to come.