99 for 99 - #45 - The Russ Carrick Era

99 for 99 takes a look at the 99 biggest moments in UB Football history in anticipation of the 99^th Season of UB Football which begins on September 1^st, 2012. These moments are not in any order, however the top 10 moments have been saved for last.

Many of the moments in the 99 for 99 series have been great. Other have just been notable, this one, is just bad.

With 5 wins in 5 years, Russ Carrick is the worst coach in UB history. During Carrick's tenure:

UB went 5-30-2.

UB scored 91 points in 37 games while allowing 881.

UB's highest point total was 13 points.

UB allowed over 20 points 20 times.

UB was shut out 24 times.

UB lost 12 straight games at one point and went win less for 21 consecutive games.

To be fair to Carrick, he inherited a team that went 6-22-4 in the previous 5 years. However expectations were high after Carrick was competitive against Westminster and Alfred. Carrick earned his first win on his third try, a 7-0 victory over St. Lawerence.

The Bison would not win again in 1924, but then in '25, UB won it's first game over Toledo 2-0. After two defeats and a tie, Carrick hit his apex, with wins over Alfred and Clarkson to move to 3-2-1. The glory was short lived as UB would lose the final two games of 1925 to finish with another losing season and they would not win again until 1928.

After a 21 game winless streak, Carrick started a trend for UB coaches, the spite victory. Carrick's Bison defeated Long Island 12-0 in his second to last game as head coach. The next week UB lost the final game of the Carrick Era a typical 35-0 defeat vs Edinboro.

The Carrick era came to an end just about during the end of the "Roaring Twenties." For Buffalo it was more like the "Boring Twenties." Between 1919 and 1928, Buffalo won 11 games in 10 years and in the process went through 4 coaches. Ironically the Great Depression would bring less depressing football. The Bison/Bulls would steadly improve in the 30's, 40's and 50's.