Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1545675
9 0 A U G U S T 2 0 2 6 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Third-year Buffalo head coach Pete Lembo conceded at the start of spring practice in March that "we've gone through some major changes in our pro- gram this offseason, and change is not always easy." But, he added, "change is often a good thing, and that's how I feel about it right now." The Bulls' overhaul has been exten- sive, starting with three new coordina- tors. Former Florida State quarterbacks coach Torry Tokarz is now in charge of the offense, while safeties coach Brian Dougherty was promoted to the top job on defense after Joe Bowen left for Pitt. In addition, Garrett McLaughlin, for- merly of Columbia and New Hampshire, has taken over the special teams, and the Bulls also have new position coaches in charge of the defensive and offensive lines and linebackers. The changes came on the heels of a disappointing end to the 2025 season. The Bulls had won nine games in their first campaign under Lembo. They were garnering attention as Mid-American Conference title contenders heading into Year 2 but ended up missing out on the postseason altogether, dropping three of their last four contests to finish 5-7. The revamped staff will be looking for a bounce-back year this fall, and it has a largely new roster to work with. All eight of the Bulls' All-MAC players from last season either graduated or transferred, while Lembo and his staff brought in 21 transfers and added a 23-player fresh- man class. The top priority will be to revitalize an offense that wasn't consistently effec- tive in 2025. With former Nittany Lion quarterback Ta'quan Roberson taking most of the snaps, the Bulls ranked 91st in the FBS in scoring offense last year at 24.0 points per game. Roberson's successor has yet to be determined. Of the three contenders, redshirt freshman Jason Wright had the best day in Buffalo's final spring scrim- mage, completing 6 of 11 passes for 90 yards. But redshirt junior Elijah Holmes, a transfer from Division II Wingate, and redshirt junior Mason Cumbie are also in the mix. No matter who wins the job, this will be the fourth year in a row in which the Bulls have had a first-year starter at quarterback. Elsewhere on offense, Buffalo must replace its top two receivers and four of- fensive linemen. Junior Terrance Shelton is the Bulls' top returning rusher after totaling 244 yards last year, while gradu- ate Jasaiah Gathings is the top returning wideout with 36 catches for 410 yards. The defense suffered a big loss with the graduation of All-America linebacker Red Murdock, who averaged nearly 12 tackles per game. To help replenish the position group, Buffalo brought in a trio of transfers headlined by former Virginia linebacker Stevie Bracey. The edge rushing corps has also been overhauled. Among the newcomers are a pair of first-team All-Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference performers in ju- niors Logan Goodwin, formerly of IUP, and Sedrick Vessah, formerly of Califor- nia (Pa.). The secondary has two returning starters at cornerback in redshirt sopho- more Kobi Blackwell and senior Keontez Bradley. But even with four returnees and a portal-based talent infusion, this defense is going to miss having an eraser like Murdock. He was this year's "Mr. Irrelevant," going to the Denver Broncos with the final pick in the NFL Draft, but there was nothing irrelevant about the NCAA-record 17 fumbles he forced dur- ing his college career. — Matt Herb S E P T . 1 9 | N O O N | B T N | B E A V E R S T A D I U M | S T A T E C O L L E G E , P A . GAME 3 BUFFALO 2026 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2025 Result Sept. 3 Albany — Sept. 12 Florida International — Sept. 19 at Penn State — Sept. 26 Robert Morris — Oct. 3 Western Michigan — Oct. 10 at Toledo — Oct. 17 Massachusetts W, 28-21 Oct. 24 Bowling Green W, 28-3 Nov. 3 at Miami (Ohio) L, 37-20 Nov. 11 at Ball State — Nov. 18 Central Michigan L, 38-19 Nov. 28 at Akron L, 24-16 RISING STAR MILES GREER | S As a junior last year, Greer made a smooth transition from Division II Shep- herd University to the Mid-American Conference. The 5-foot-10, 195-pound defensive back ranked third on the team with 74 tackles, including 3 for loss and 2.5 sacks, and added 3 pass breakups and a blocked punt. QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: Penn State leads, 3-1 Head Coach: Pete Lembo (14-11 in two seasons at Buffalo; career coaching re- cord: 126-76) 2025 Record: 5-7, 4-4 Mid-American Conference Returning Starters: 6 (2 offense, 4 de- fense) RETURNING LEADERS Rushing: RB Terrance Shelton (244 yards, 1 TD) Passing: None Receiving: WR Jasaiah Gathings (410 yards, 3 TD) Tackles: S Miles Greer (74) Sacks: S Miles Greer (2.5) Interceptions: CB Kobi Blackwell, CB Oli- ver Bridges (1) Pete Lembo's 14 wins are the most ever by a Buffalo football head coach in his first two seasons with the program. PHOTO COURTESY BUFFALO ATHLETICS