A power running team led by dynamic running backs like Lou Corriere, O.D. Underwood, Alan Bell, Anthony Swan, James Starks and Branden Oliver, and an opportunistic turnover forcing defense. The 2008 squad forced 34 turnovers on the way to a MAC Championship, but no defensive unit personified UB's commitment to the takeaway than the UB secondary between 1983 and 1988.

In 1983, the Bulls recorded 25 interceptions, almost half by John Bernard who set a UB record with 12 interceptions. Andy Hurley would have had the record if it was not for Bernard, Hurley snagged 9 interceptions in 1983. In 1984, Hurley lead the Bulls in interceptions with 7. In 1987 Steve Magera led the Bulls with 3 interceptions in a down year, but in 1988 Jon Williams stepped up with 8 interceptions.

In the middle of this era of aggressive secondary play, UB's greatest defensive back arose. Steve Nappo led the Bulls in interceptions in 1985 with 5. In 1986 the Bulls nabbed a school record 26 interceptions and Nappo set a UB record with 13 interceptions. Nappo led all D-III players in interceptions, and tied the D-III record for most interceptions in a single season. Nappo ended his career in 1986 with 19 career interceptions, which still stands today as the most in UB history.