Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550/WBEN) - The Pete Lembo era has gotten off to a great start in his first year as head coach of the University at Buffalo football program.
After punching their ticket for a bowl game earlier this season, the UB Bulls are set to head to Nassau in the Bahamas to take part in the Bahamas Bowl at Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. The Bulls will face Liberty University out of Conference USA on Jan. 4, with an 11 a.m. EST kickoff.
This marks the second time the program has been invited to the Bahamas Bowl. Back in 2019, the Bulls played in the Bahamas Bowl against the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, defeating the 49ers, 31-9.
Under Lembo, the Bulls finished the regular season 8-4, marking just the third time in their FBS history the program have won eight games in the regular season. This will also be the seventh bowl game in UB's football history.
This also marks the first time the Bahamas bowl will be playing in the month of January.
This season has been one for the record books for Buffalo, after finishing last season with only three wins and losing head coach Maurice Linguist, who took a job at Alabama.
The Bulls not only doubled their wins from last season, they also exceeded expectations after being picked to finish 10th in the Mid-American Conference in the preseason coaches poll.
Buffalo finished tied for third in the MAC with a 6-2 conference record.
One of the highlights of the regular season was the Bulls' upset victory over No. 23 Northern Illinois, which was the second time in program they beat a nationally ranked team.
Many players on the Bulls' roster have also exceeded expectations this season, especially senior linebacker Shaun Dolac, who was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Year and a member of First-Team All-Mac.
Dolac is also a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy, which recognizes the most outstanding college football player who began their career as a walk-on.
Dolac wasn't the only one to make First-Team All-MAC, as fellow linebacker Red Murdock also earned the conference honor.
Other players that have received All-MAC honors include Kobe Stewart as a member of Second-Team All-MAC, while Tyler Doty, Trevor Brock, Victor Snow, Al-Jay Henderson, Upton Bellenfant, Dion Crawford, and Ethan Duane were all named Third-Team All-Mac.