What Is 2019 Buffalo Bulls football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Buffalo Bulls football team represented the University at Buffalo in the NCAA Division I FBS season, finishing with a 6–6 record under head coach Lance Leipold and securing bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year.

Key Facts

The 2019 Buffalo Bulls finished the season with a 6–6 overall record
They competed in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as members of the East Division
Head coach Lance Leipold led the team for the fifth consecutive season
The Bulls played their home games at UB Stadium in Amherst, New York
They became bowl-eligible with a win over Akron in November 2019

Overview

The 2019 Buffalo Bulls football team represented the University at Buffalo in the 2019 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) season. Competing as a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in the East Division, the team was led by head coach Lance Leipold in his fifth year at the helm.

Buffalo finished the regular season with a 6–6 overall record and a 4–4 mark in conference play, making them bowl-eligible for the second straight year. Despite not receiving a bowl invitation, the season reflected continued program growth under Leipold’s leadership.

Final record: The team ended the season with a 6–6 overall record, including a 4–4 performance in MAC games, showing balanced competitiveness across conference matchups.
Head coach: Lance Leipold remained the head coach, having taken over in 2015 and steadily improving the program’s win totals each season through 2019.
Home stadium: The Bulls played their home games at UB Stadium, a 29,013-seat facility located on the university’s campus in Amherst, New York.
Key victory: A 30–20 win over Akron on November 20 secured their sixth win, making them bowl-eligible for the second consecutive season.
Offensive leader: Quarterback Tyree Jackson, who had declared for the NFL Draft after the 2018 season, was replaced by redshirt sophomore Matt Johnson, who started most games in 2019.

How It Works

The structure and operation of the 2019 Buffalo Bulls football season followed standard NCAA Division I FBS protocols, including conference scheduling, player eligibility rules, and postseason qualification criteria.

Season Format: The NCAA FBS season consists of a 12-game regular season, with teams needing at least six wins to become bowl-eligible; Buffalo achieved this with their 6–6 record.
Conference Play: As a MAC member, Buffalo played eight conference games; their 4–4 record placed them third in the MAC East Division behind Miami and Ohio.
Bowl Eligibility: Teams must win at least six games against FBS opponents to qualify for a bowl; Buffalo met this threshold but was not selected due to bowl tie-ins and selection order.
Roster Composition: The team featured 85 scholarship athletes, adhering to NCAA limits, with a mix of returning starters and developing underclassmen.
Coaching Staff: Lance Leipold led a staff of 10 full-time assistants, focusing on player development and recruiting within the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Recruiting Impact: The 2019 signing class included 18 players, with key recruits from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania helping bolster depth.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2019 Buffalo Bulls compared to other MAC teams and recent seasons:

Team	Overall Record	MAC Record	Bowl Game	Head Coach
Buffalo Bulls	6–6	4–4	No	Lance Leipold
Ohio Bobcats	7–6	5–3	Yes (Bahamas Bowl)	Frank Solich
Miami (OH) RedHawks	8–6	6–2	Yes (Fraternity Bowl)	Chuck Martin
Central Michigan Chippewas	5–7	3–5	No	Jim McElwain
Ball State Cardinals	7–6	5–3	Yes (Camellia Bowl)	Mike Neu

This comparison shows that while Buffalo matched or exceeded several peers in win total, they were passed over in bowl selection due to tiebreaker rules and conference agreements. Miami (OH) won the MAC East, while Buffalo finished behind them and Ohio in the division standings. Despite achieving bowl eligibility, the Bulls did not receive an invitation, a rare occurrence that sparked discussion about bowl selection fairness.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a milestone in the ongoing rebuilding of Buffalo’s football program, highlighting both progress and systemic challenges in college football’s postseason structure.

Program Momentum: Achieving back-to-back bowl-eligible seasons for the first time since 2008–2009 signaled sustained improvement under Lance Leipold’s leadership.
Recruiting Boost: Consistent competitiveness helped attract higher-rated recruits from the Northeast corridor in subsequent classes.
Player Development: Several 2019 players, including defensive end Jihad Ward, went on to sign NFL contracts or participate in pro days.
Conference Perception: Buffalo’s performance contributed to a stronger national view of the MAC as a competitive mid-major conference.
Bowl System Critique: Their exclusion despite meeting eligibility criteria fueled debate about transparency in bowl selection processes.
Foundation for 2020: The experience laid the groundwork for Buffalo’s 2020 MAC Championship appearance, their first conference title since 2008.

Ultimately, the 2019 Buffalo Bulls season exemplified resilience and progress, setting the stage for future success even in the absence of postseason play.