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BUFFALO, NY - There are plenty of unknowns for every college football coach in America after spring practices.

How hard will the players work over the summer? How will the injured heal and return? What impact will the incoming recruiting class have? University at Buffalo head coach Jim Hofher has that and many more questions facing the off-season.

Jim Hofher

He does, however, know this. His team is faster, fitter and more knowledgeable in its grasp of what he and his staff are trying to accomplish in this his second season. In a sentence, as Hofher said following the Blue-White Scrimmage and 15 spring practice, "we're an advanced football team from this time last year."

That will be crucial for the Bulls as they prepare for the 2002 season with one of the youngest teams in the Mid-American Conference. Buffalo will have more players who have yet to play a down for the Blue & White (redshirt freshmen and incoming recruits) than those who have when players report on August 4th. Those who have been in the system, however, got high marks from Hofher this spring.

"We had excellent work," said Hofher of the spring sessions. "As a comparison, in scrimmage situations last year, we ran 293 plays, this year we ran 357 - that's a little less than five games work. We got an awful lot of work done. We had 512 snaps of team play, whether it was scrimmage or simply team periods. We were able to practice better in comparison to a year ago, because of familiarity with everything. I feel like we're an advanced football team in that regard with our ability to practice with greater efficiency."

Not surprisingly, among those areas that showed the greatest cohesion in spring drills was the defensive secondary, one of UB's most veteran and healthy units.

"We potentially have an experienced and solid secondary with returning veterans and capable players," said Hofher, whose offense wasn't as lucky with several injuries that kept key players out at wide receiver and offensive line. "That wasn't a spot where we had any injuries. I feel like it was a very productive, very effective (spring session). We come out of the spring without any orthopedic issues from the practices we had, which I'm really pleased with. We're a more fit team and we're really learning how to practice well, and consequently we are playing more physically."

Buffalo's offense was inconsistent because of several injuries - including to the top three wideouts from the 2001 season - seniors Andre Forde (Penfield, NY/Penfield) and Maurice Bradford (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton) and sophomore Matt Knueven (Cincinnati, OH/LaSalle).

"Clearly there were more guys offensively who couldn't practice," Hofher said. "There is less depth offensively until they are all healthy and less consistency because of it. But in the end we could very well be a deeper team on offense, when all the injured become healthy and they are added in with the guys who got all the work this spring. So it's a good news, bad news kind of thing."

Randall Secky

Hofher also noted that sophomore quarterback Randall Secky (Bemus Point, NY/Maple Grove) had a strong spring despite the injuries around him.

"Randall Secky is clearly our quarterback," said Hofher. "He has the most experience, he has the most knowledge, he has the most savvy. Mentally he understands it the best and he is a work in progress. I thought he had a very productive spring."

Behind Secky, redshirt freshmen P.J. Piskorik (Swoyersville, PA/Wyoming Valley West) and Jeff Powell (Wyandotte, MI/Roosevelt) got plenty of action as well and showed flashes as well. Piskorik distinguished himself as "a dynamic runner," according to Hofher.

Meanwhile, the Bulls got strong springs from tailbacks Marquis Dwarte (Baltimore, MD/Perry Hall) - UB's leading rusher the past two seasons - and redshirt frosh Aaron Leeper (Jamestown, NY/Jamestown).

"We worked very hard to run the ball better and in some ways I think we have," Hofher noted. "We just have to keep moving. So much of (the production) is the offensive line and they were victimized a little bit by lack of depth because of injuries."

Kevin Dunn

Hofher also noted that sophomore Eric Weber (Canandaigua, NY/Canandaigua) "made improvements at center," and that junior guard/center Kevin Dunn (Mission Viejo, CA/Mission Viejo) "is an improved football player."

The defense appeared ahead of the offense throughout much of the spring, despite going with a very young front seven that, at the conclusion of spring practices, doesn't feature any seniors. Hofher, however, couldn't help but notice the increased athleticism in his defensive line and linebackers.

"I think we run better and I think we tackle better," he said. "Fundamentally we are executing proper techniques. We have to get the young guys we have experience."

Demetrius Austrum

Among the front seven, Hofher noted that junior Demetrius Austrum (Coral Springs, FL/Taravella) "really has a chance to be a very good football player," while redshirt freshman Philip Jacques (Farmington Hills, MI/Brother Rice) also holds down a defensive end spot at the conclusion of spring drills.

As young as the front seven is, the Bulls' secondary boasts experience and ability. Junior Mark Graham (Monroe, MI/Monroe) made a smooth transition from cornerback to free safety, according to Hofher, while senior corner Mike Lambert (Syracuse, NY/Jamesville-DeWitt) "continues to improve." Redshirt frosh Gemara Williams (Oak Park, MI/Brother Rice), who moved from corner to safety, "was a physical player all spring long," said Hofher.

Senior corner Dahnel Singfield (Baltimore, MD/Dunbar) and sophomore strong safety J.J. Gibson (Amherst, NY/Sweet Home), who became the first UB freshman to record 100 tackles last season, add to the experience and talent level of the secondary.

Despite some typical coaching questions and a true youth movement, Hofher feels very good about his team and where UB's program is headed.

"I have less concern as we go into the next season as to the physical readiness of our team, because I know them better," Hofher noted. "I didn't know last year how they'd respond and react to the summer time. I feel like we know these guys much better and can have a greater impact on their motivation because we know them better.

"Our team is going to get younger before it gets older," said Hofher, "but it's exciting as a coaching staff to watch these young players develop."

The Bulls open the 2002 season on August 29th when they host Lehigh in the first of an unprecedented 12-game regular season. Buffalo also hosts Connecticut, Western Michigan, Kent State, Miami (OH) and Central Florida at UB Stadium this year. A daunting road schedule will see the Bulls play at Rutgers, Minnesota, Marshall, Akron, Ohio and Ball State.