What Is 2017 Buffalo Bulls football team

Overview

The 2017 Buffalo Bulls football team represented the University at Buffalo in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Competing as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) East Division, the team struggled throughout the season, failing to secure a winning record.

Under the leadership of second-year head coach Lance Leipold, the Bulls aimed to build on modest improvements from the previous year. However, offensive inconsistencies and defensive lapses contributed to a challenging campaign that saw the team finish near the bottom of the conference standings.

• Record: The team finished with a 2-10 overall record, including a 0-8 mark in MAC conference play, marking one of the most difficult seasons in recent program history.
• Head Coach:Lance Leipold entered his second season in 2017, taking over a program that had struggled for consistency in prior years.
• Home Games: All home games were played at UB Stadium in Amherst, New York, a 31,000-seat venue that has hosted the Bulls since 2013.
• Wins: The Bulls secured only two victories: a 31-14 win over UConn on September 16 and a 28-23 victory against Eastern Michigan on November 4.
• Offensive Output: The team averaged just 17.3 points per game, ranking 123rd out of 130 FBS teams, highlighting significant offensive challenges.

Season Performance

The 2017 campaign was defined by missed opportunities and tough conference matchups. Despite flashes of competitiveness, the Bulls were unable to sustain momentum over the course of the season.

• Defensive Struggles: The defense allowed an average of 33.8 points per game, one of the worst in the FBS, contributing heavily to the team’s losing record.
• Quarterback Play:Tyree Jackson started all 12 games, throwing for 1,939 yards and 15 touchdowns, but also 11 interceptions, reflecting inconsistency.
• Non-Conference Schedule: The Bulls opened the season with losses to Albany and Rutgers, setting a negative tone before MAC play began.
• Close Games: Buffalo lost four games by a margin of 7 points or fewer, indicating potential for improvement with better execution.
• Senior Leadership: Key seniors like linebacker Julian Shorter and defensive back Brandon Oliver provided veteran presence on a young roster.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2017 season can be better understood by comparing it to the previous year and other MAC teams in the same division:

While Buffalo’s win total remained unchanged from 2016, other MAC teams like Akron showed marked improvement. The Bulls’ inability to win a conference game in 2017 highlighted ongoing developmental challenges under the new coaching staff.

Why It Matters

The 2017 season was a pivotal year in the rebuilding process for Buffalo football, serving as a benchmark for future progress under Lance Leipold’s leadership.

• The 0-8 conference record emphasized the gap between Buffalo and more established MAC programs like Toledo and Western Michigan.
• Despite the losses, Tyree Jackson’s development gave hope for future offensive improvement in subsequent seasons.
• The team’s struggles underscored the need for stronger recruiting, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.
• Leipold’s emphasis on discipline and culture change began to take root, laying groundwork for a turnaround in later years.
• The season highlighted the importance of non-conference scheduling, as early losses to Rutgers and Albany hurt morale.
• Buffalo’s performance in 2017 ultimately set the stage for a significant improvement in 2018, when the team reached a bowl game.

Though the 2017 season was disappointing, it served as a critical learning experience for a program in transition. The foundation laid during this year contributed to future success, making it a necessary chapter in Buffalo’s football resurgence.