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99 for 99 takes a look at the 99 biggest moments in UB Football history during this season, the 99th season of UB Football. These moments are not in any order, however the top 10 moments have been saved for last.
November 2, 1996 - Mark Taylor connects with Jamie Gasparre for a UB record 91 yard TD pass, Gerald Carlson ties own record with 12 punts.
UB's When Starting QB Mark Taylor went out with an injury, UB's offense struggled. UB was outscored 58-26 in two consecutive losses before a fortuitous bye week. As the Bulls travelled to Nassau County to face the Flying Dutchmen of Hofstra, they hoped the return of Taylor would reverse the Bulls' fortunes.
UB's offense looked out of gas: only managing 82 yards in the first half, and going 1-for-20 on 3rd downs in the game. Hofstra went up 7-0 early, and added a field goal to take a 10-0 lead into the half. Hofstra decided to pin UB deep with a punt instead of attempting a 53-yard field goal and it seemed to pay off when Buffalo's struggling offense had to start from their 9 yard line. However, Mark Taylor and the Bulls showed they had a little more Gasparre in the tank. Taylor's pass glanced off the Hofstra defender and into the hands of Jamie Gasparre who sprinted the rest of the way for a 91 yard touchdown, still the longest pass play in UB history.
Jamie Gasparre, a Yonkers native started his college career 10 miles up the Island at C.W. Post before transferring to Buffalo. He was right at home, scoring for a second time on a 6-yard slant route for a touchdown.
Despite Gerald Carlson tying his own UB record with 12 punts and 5% 3rd down conversion rate, UB was able to hold on to the 14-10 win. The UB defense held Hofstra to 4 first downs and only 139 yards of offense. Hofstra, who came into the game without their 1st string quarterback, also lost their 2nd string quarterback to injury in the 1st quarter. The UB defense jumped on the inexperience of Hofstra's true freshman 3rd string quarterback and the Flying Dutchman never recovered on offense.