Football Announces 2005 Award Winners

Willy, Richard, Cummings, Williams, Schifano and Schroeder earn honors

Gemara Williams

BUFFALO, NY – The University at Buffalo football team handed out its season-ending awards at the annual UB Athletic Awards Banquet at the Millennium Hotel in Cheektowaga.

Receiving awards from the football staff were freshman Drew Willy (Randolph, NJ/Randolph), sophomore Jamey Richard (Weston, CT/Weston), and seniors Bryan Cummings (Cincinnati, OH/Madeira), Gemara Williams (Oak Park, MI/Brother Rice), Mike Schifano (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) and Rob Schroeder (East Rochester, NY/East Rochester).

Willy was named the team's Top Newcomer after a solid freshman campaign. The freshman quarterback started the final eight games of the season. He completed a school-record 60.6 percent of his passes (149-for-246). His 9.9 yards per completion was also a school record. The Randolph, NJ native threw for 1,481 yards and six touchdowns on the year. In his first career start at Western Michigan, he went 30-for-38 for 288 yards and two touchdowns. The 30 completions tied him for second all-time in school history in completions in a game.

Richard earned the Most Improved Player Award. After starting only two games as a freshman in 2004, Richard started all 11 games at center in 2005 and proved to be one of the Bulls' most reliable offensive linemen. He help the Bulls gain 1,199 yards rushing on the season.

Cummings earned the Coach's Award. The senior linebacker capped a successful career by racking up 73 tackles on the season - ranking second on the team. He added five tackles for loss, including a pair of sacks. He also had an interception, a pass breakup and two forced fumbles. Cummings finished his career 10th in school history in total tackles with 271 and sixth in solo tackles with 158.

Williams was named the team's Most Outstanding Player. The senior defensive back started all 11 games and ranked third on the team in tackles with 61. He finished the season ranked 10th in the nation in passes defended with 14 in 11 games. He spearheaded a UB secondary that ranked ninth in the nation and led the Mid-American Conference in pass defense, allowing just 173.6 yards per game through the air. This season he became UB’s career leader in passes defended with 39 and his 176 solo tackles rank fifth best in school history.

Schifano and Schroeder were co-winners of the Dominic Grossi Award. The award is presented to the UB football player who has displayed athletic prowess, academic excellence and sportsmanship. Schifano started all 11 games at left guard for the Bulls. A team captain, he was one of the vocal leaders of the team.

Schroeder started all 11 games at defensive tackle. He led the Bulls in tackles for loss with 13 to go along with 37 tackles. He added 2.5 sacks and six quarterback hurries. Schroeder had a nose for blocking kicks. He finished his career with eight blocked kicks and was the NCAA's active leader in the category this past season.

UB finished its season with a 1-10 overall record and a 1-7 mark in the MAC. Buffalo's victory came at Kent State. It was the Bulls' first conference road win since joining the MAC in 1999.

05/10/2006