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A combination of youth and a difficult schedule lead to a frustrating campaign. The 1997 University at Buffalo Bulls were presented with many challenges in 1997, not the least of which was replacing the departure of 19 seniors from a 1996 squad which posted the best record against Division I competition since 1959 (8-3) and finished the season ranked 27th in the country. Faced with playing the eighth-toughest Division I-AA schedule in the country, including a game with Division I-A Ohio, with only 12 starters returning from a year ago, the Bulls experienced growing pains as they continued to build toward their move into the Mid -American Conference in 1999. Although they struggled to a 2-9 record on the season, the Bulls' showcased one of the most prolific offenses in the country, one which ranked eighth in passing offense and 36th in total offense for the season. UB's passing attack averaged 297.7 yards per game, and averaged 378 yards per game overall. Powering the Bulls' high-powered offense were several individual performers, all of which posted career numbers throughout the 1997 season.

Bulls in the Final NCAA National Rankings

Category	Rank	Actual
Rushing Offense	111	80.27
Passing Offense	8	297.73
Total Offense	36	378.00
Scoring Offense	73	20.82
Rushing Defense	83	176.00
Pass Efficiency Defense	112	145.08
Total Defense	101	401.09
Scoring Defense	116	38.27
Net Punting	78	32.19
Punt Returns	75	7.72
Kickoff Returns	93	17.03
Turnover Margin	T-111	-1.27

Honor Roll of Awards & Honors

1997 Division I-AA All-Star Team

Keith Hansen - first team, defense
Drew Haddad - second team, offense
Ted McDuffie - second team, defense

Category	Player	Rank	Actual
Passing Efficiency	Chad Salisbury	35	124.86
Total Offense	Chad Salisbury	8	279.70
Receptions/Game	Drew Haddad	15	6.09
	Jamie Gasparre	T-26	5.40
	Kali Watkins	T-44	4.91
Receiving Yards/Game	Drew Haddad	15	96.18
	Jamie Gasparre	33	79.80
All-Purpose Yardage	Drew Haddad	34	128.00

1997 Football Gazette All-Americans

Keith Hansen - Honorable Mention
Drew Haddad - Honorable Mention
Ted McDuffie - Honorable Mention
Chad Salisbury - Honorable Mention