AMHERST, N.Y. - The UB football team started their annual spring game with a competition at quarterback, and ended the game with no clear winner after all four Bulls QB's played well.
"We have a number of quarterbacks that can help us win football games, so I'm not concerned at that position, at all," said UB head coach Jeff Quinn.
The competition has centered all spring on junior Alex Zordich, who was the back-up last season and redshirt freshman Joe Licata.
Licata, the former star QB at Williamsville South, would start the game but got off to a slow start in his first spring game.
Licata did improve, ending the first half, with an impressive one-minute drive that finished with a TD pass to junior Alex Neutz. Licata finished the day going 7-of-13 for 99 yards a touchdown and an interception.
"I wasn't pleased with my individual performance but I thought we got better as a team," said Licata.
Zordich played very well for most of the game, throwing three touchdowns, including a 42-yard strike to Neutz. He finished the game 9-of-17 for 183 yards and three scores. He also had 5 rushes for 34 yards.
Quinn was impressed with both quarterbacks and says the competition for the starting job will continue through the summer. "I think it's fair to both of them to know that it's still an open competition and they are both going to have an opportunity to prove themselves in the summer. They want only what's best to help move the offense, score points, command the opportunity to be that guy."
Both players are excited about the opportunity. "I think competition is always good," said Licata. "You always want to fight for the job, you want to earn it."
"You got to accept it and you got to love it and you got to get better from it," said Zordich.
Neutz, the Grand Island native, led the Bulls receivers with six catches for 112 yards and the two touchdowns. It was his first true test after injuring his wrist late last season.
Redshirt-freshman QB Tony Daniel was also impressive going 19-of-25 for 177 yards and a touchdown. Senior Jerry Davis also got time behind center and went 3-of-6 for 44 yards.
Star running back Branden Oliver had a solid game rushing for 77 yards on 16 carries.
On defense All-MAC linebacker Khalil Mack finished with six tackles and two sacks. Senior linebacker Willie Moseley was the star for the defense with eight tackles, four sacks and a fumble recovery.
The Bulls kick-off the 2012 season on the road at SEC power Georgia on September 1st.
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Earlier on Saturday UB announced that former Bulls hockey player Tunney Murchie and his family committed a $1 million gift to be used toward capital projects in UB Stadium and Alumni Arena.
It's one of the largest single commitments ever made to UB. "The entire Murchie family felt this was the right moment to make a significant gift to UB. Murchie said in a statement released by the university. "My family and I are excited to be part of the on-going efforts to improve the facilities at UB for all sports programs."
WGRZ