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86 days to kickoff: Ron Willoughby and a close game in Orlando

When no one else will, Willoughby will, but can Ron continue to stand out among UB's deep WR core?

Who is wearing #86 in 2015?

Ron Willoughby

Hometown: Avon Lake, Ohio

Year: Redshirt Senior

Position: Wide Receiver

High School: Avon Lake

Freshman (2011): Willoughby Redshirted

Redshirt Freshman (2012): Willoughby played in 7 games but did not catch any passes.

Redshirt Sophomore (2013): Willoughby played in 11 games, catching a 45 yard pass as the second team saw extended time at Baylor and 2 balls for 38 yards against UMass in place of the concussed Alex Neutz.

Redshirt Junior (2014): Willoughby played in 11 games starting them all. He took UB by storm as the "new Neutz" when in his first start Ron caught 10 balls for 132 yards and 2 TDs. Willoughby led all Bulls with 50 receptions for 771 yards and 9 TDs.

Willoughby's 9 receiving TDs is tied for 7th in UB's single-season history. He is 8th (ahead of Alex Neutz) on the career yards per reception list at 16.11.

Overall: Willoughby played in 29 games, and has started in 11, with a 5-6 record as a starter. He has 53 receptions for 854 yards and 9 TDs.

Outlook: Willoughby finished 2014 on the 3rd team All-MAC team and was placed on the 2015 Phil Steele preseason 2nd team. In 2015 Willoughby should lead the Bulls as the starting receiver again. He has great chemistry with his roommate Joe Licata and the more balanced UB attack (it was 54% run in 2013 & 53% run in 2014)  should mean more catch opportunities in 2015.

#86 UB Football Game

October 04, 2003 - UB 10, Central Florida 19

The 0-5 Bulls needed a break, and for a while it seemed like today would be their day. Dontavius Wilcox was feet away from opening the game with a UCF touchdown, until a Jeff Bublavi hit forced a fumble. UB marched down the field and kicked a field goal to take a 3-0 lead. UCF responded with a touchdown and Buffalo responded with one of their own after a 62-yard run by spark plug Dave Dawson. The next drive, UB's defense held strong at the 9 yard line and forced a UCF field goal and securing a 10-9 UB lead.

Then all the breaks stopped coming UB's way. Dallas Pelz missed a field goal. Aaron Leeper fumbled but it was recovered by UB, only for the very next play to end with a Chad Upshaw fumble. UCF would kick a field goal and head into the half with a 12-10 lead.

In the first drive of the half, UCF ran it down UB"s throats until a 4th and 1 at the 10 where Bryan Cummings stuffed Alex Haynes to give UB the ball. After a 3 and out, the ensuing UB punt was returned for a touchdown and a 19-10 UCF lead.

UCF ran the ball 55 times, but the UB defense didn't wear down, Gemara Williams, Mark Graham, and Rich Sanders had 10, 8 and 7 tackles respectively to lead the Bulls. Unfortunately, the UB offense ran out of gas and the game ended 19-10.