BUFFALO, NY - Behind the strength of 104 yards rushing and three touchdowns by redshirt freshman tailback Joe Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter), the White (offense) beat the Blue (defense), 50-24, in a

Joe Cerminara

controlled scrimmage to wrap up the University at Buffalo's spring practice sessions before a sizable crowd at Walter Kunz Stadium.

Prior to the game, the stadium was officially rededicated after being known as "old" UB Stadium since 1993. Walter Kunz, Ed.M., '65, Ph.D. '70, a former UB faculty member and longtime advocate and supporter of the Division of Athletics made a generous six-figure gift that was fulfilled as part of "The Campaign for UB: Generation to Generation," which helped rehabilitate the stadium and add a new artificial surface. Kunz is a member of the Blue and White Club Board of Directors and has also served as the Volunteer Chairperson of the Blue and White Club Fund Drive.

The defense had its way early on, stopping the offense on two straight series, including a safety by

Bryan Cummings

senior linebacker Bryan Cummings (Cincinnati, OH/Madeira). However, on the third series, Cerminara, a former All-Western New York selection, burst through the center of the line and sprinted untouched 48 yards for the opening score for the offense.

After three more three-and-out series by the offense which gave the Blue a 10-7 lead in the modified scoring system, walk-on quarterback Rob Boyer (Greece, NY/Greece-Olympia) completed a 34-yard touchdown pass to redshirt frosh Brad Beggs (Clarion, PA/Clarion-Limestone) to put the White ahead to stay, 14-10.

In a series of goal-line situations, the offense increased its lead as Cerminara - who finished the day with 104 yards on 15 carries - scored on a pair of four-yard runs. The Bulls also got touchdowns from two other quarterbacks, as Stewart Sampsel (Howard, PA/Bellefonte) hit junior Evan Wallace (Wilcox, CA/Wilcox) from six yards out, while Tony Paoli (Fort Lauderdale, FL/St. Thomas Aquinas) connected on a 40-yard bomb to sophomore flanker Jeff Green (Fairport, NY/Fairport). Sampsel finished the day 3-for-8 for 24 yards, while Paoli was 3-for-7 for 49 yards. Green and Wallace each had a pair of catches for the offense.

The defense also got several excellent performances and held the offense to three downs and out

James Judges

seven times during the scrimmage. Sophomore defensive end James Judges (Pickering, Ontario/St. Marys) led the way with six tackles and four quarterback sacks. The Bulls also got sacks from senior Anthony Andriano (Howard Beach, NY/Christ the King) and Marquis Whitmore (Far Rockaway, NY/Far Rockaway).

The defense also forced a pair of fumbles, one recovered by senior defensive end Phil Jacques (Farmington Hills, MI/Brother Rice) and the other by sophomore Todd Robertson (Amherst, NY/Sweet Home). Other leaders of the defense were Cummings, with four tackles including the safety, senior safety Sherwan Saaty (San Diego, CA/Rancho Bernardo), who registered six tackles and broke up a pass, and sophomore Ollice Ervin (Vero Beach, FL/Vero Beach), who had three tackles, including one for a seven-yard loss.

"It was excellent work by all sides," said head coach Jim Hofher. "We got to work on two more situations that are typical game situations that we had not previously worked on. It's just a few more things that our guys can work on during the off-season."

The Bulls anticipate opening fall camp on August 7th and will start the 2005 campaign at Connecticut on Thursday, September 1 against the defending Motor City Bowl champion Huskies. That game that will be televised on ESPNU.