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Image provided by: University at Buffalo
* •• I Bulls win 1 7— 13 as defense holds and offense picks in third quart( late —Tom Bucfranan by Carlos Vallarino Sports Editor for, and something that the coach can share in. “We just went out and played hard football,” assessed Bulls’ mentor Bill Dando. “The story of the first half was ‘three downs and punt’ but the second half was a big difference. 1 felt Rodriguez was having a tough time, so I put Ray in to give him a shot, and he did a great job.” unloaded a long spiral toward the hauled down for a gain of 33. momentarily stunned Cortlan somehow slipped out of the rea different defenders and unleshed to Price, this one cashing in 14 ya Now leading a bonified drive at Bulls received further aid frorr assessed a personal foul penalty 01 the Bulls at the Cortland five-yarc out in the third quarter. Freshman fullback Tim Najucl one on fourth down to put the Bi the season on the board. Steve P extra point to draw UB within 13 the last quarter. Those who argue that college football is the most exciting sport around could not have presented a better argument to the 6364 fans who witnessed the Bulls’ exciting 17 —13 victory over Cortland State Saturday afternoon at Rotary Field- — After almost three quarters of lackluster football, the Bulls managed to find themselves in a 13—0 hole to the visiting Red Dragons. It took the combination of backup quarterback Ray. Larson and flanker Frank Price to bring the Bulls back to life in the closing period. With a little help from the offensive line and an improved running game, Larson’s seemingly inspired passing arm broke Cortland’s strangling defense just in time to pull off a dramatic comeback win. “The whole offense came through when they had to,” related Brian Wilson, a key part of that offense at the left tackle position. Wilson’s unit did not get rolling until the second, half, the lackadaisical first half performance, the reason manymelieve Larson replaced quarterback Jim Rodriguez’ tq begin the third quarter. “We were just slow in the first half,” the lineman expalined. “We weren’t getting off the ball well. But then we pulled everything together, we held that block a little longer, and it paid off. Sure feels good to win.” The feeling of victory is what every athlete strives Even “a great job” has to be considered an understatement in light of Larson’s magnificent performance while under the uneviable pressure of facing—and possibly taking the blame for—defeat in the opening game. Completing four of eight passes for a total of 89 yards, Larson preferred to give the credit to the player on the receiving end. “If it wasn’t for Frank Price [three receptions for 76 yards] who came back a lot to help me out, 1 couldn’t have done it,” commented Larson, who quit the team last year to take a job as an insurance broker. UB’s “brick-line defense” nickname on Cortland’s next poss at their own 20 and ended three c thanks to a timely John White though, drove the Bulls back to began the drive that would make Ecstasy It took the locals barely three p the game winner. After Najuch w line of scrimmage, running comfortably streaked an opening BHck-Une defense Price indeed helped, seemingly making his leaping grabs when the Bulls most desperately needed them. His very fust came at the same time some of the fans were eyeing the exit, having watched their Bulls fall behind 13—0 and showing little more than hope with the clock running out in the third quarter. But on a second down play at the Buffalo 37-yard line, Larsaon EVERYBODY WAS THERE: \Buffalo Bob\ Ketter and wife Lolly (upper right) enjoyed the Bulls' win, and so did the rest of the crowd (bottom) — can you find anyone you know? Coach Dando (above) seems concerned, while UB running back Tim Najuch (upper left) just wants to clear the way for his quarterback - Ray Larson. Two quarterbacks, two halves \<sr w*? >/ ill# *islc3t Ray Larson was on his way to being Buffalo’s first- string quarterback in 1977 when a broken collarbone during pre-season finished the infant season for him. He bent down cringing from the pain searing through his upper body as the humidity-soaked practice suddenly whistled to an end for the highly regarded freshman. Gradually, Larson gained confidence in himself as the third quarter ticked away. .When the period came to an end, Larson had the Bulls knocking on the Cortland end zone—one play later he handed off to fullback Tim Najuch for the score. From that moment on the Bulls owned the game. On the next series, Larson floated the ball onto the fingertips of Frank Price for the go-ahead score, v Coach Bill Dando reports Rodriguez is still his number one signal caller. “Yes Jimmy had a bad day,” Dando acknowledged. “But he’s had too many good days to let one ruin it. He could go up to Jon Carroll (College] next week and go 40 for 40,” said Dando. * j A year later Larson, out of football for an entire season, found himself dressed in a thre piece suit, shuffling papers while underwriting insurance. In his absence, UB found its quarterback. He’s a lean, elastic-armed righty named Jim Rodriguez. In 1978, Rodriguez rewrote seven passing records for the Bulls, and there was no question that the Grand Island resident would start at quarterback Saturday when the Cortland Red Dragons kicked off with Buffalo. Early in the game it was evident Rodriguez simply was not able to run the UB offense with any success. For an entire half he struggled—wobbling his way to a horrible minus-three yards passing. Larson stripped off his windbreaker as he trotted on to the field to orchestrate the second stanza. When the . Buffalo offense marched on the field, Larson led the charge. After two years in the waiting, the anxious quarterback made his debut. )JlflT fcb> Dando compared Larson’s role in the opening victory to that of a relief pitcher in baseball. Rodriguez, he said, was no different than the starting pitcher who leaves his fastball in the bullpen. Rodriguez stood on the sidelines throughout the second half, either communicating with the coaches above the press box, or tutoring Larson on offense. His mind was apparently on the status of the game, not his statistics. Larson applauded him for the help he offered. Jim Rodriguez really might go 40 for 40 next week. —David Davidson * V
