1965 Buffalo Bulls Football
by Scott Hollander
University at Buffalo Libraries
Head coach Dick Offenhamer called the 1965 Buffalo Bulls Football the greatest comeback football team he ever coached.
The team lost its star quarterback, Rick Wells, to a broken leg for the remainder of the season during the Richmond game.
Nick Capuana eventually took over the quarterbacking duties as the team overcame injuries winning their last 3 games outscoring opponents 70-7.
Lee Jones was UB’s leading rusher with 531 yards in 115 carries. Dick Ashley led the receivers with 17 catches for 349 yards and 7 touchdowns.
The Buddy Ryan led defensive squad finished second in the nation among major colleges in rushing defense. The club gave up an average of 73.7 yards per game for the high rating, second only to Michigan State, the nation’s No. 1 college team. The Bulls also were fourth-rated in total defense with 183.1 yards per game.
The 1965 season marked Dick Offenhamer’s 11th year, and last, as the University at Buffalo’s head coach. He resigned on January 8, 1966.
1965 Buffalo Bulls Football Season
| Date | Home Team | Score | Visiting Team | W-L-T | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9/18/19651 | Boston College | 18 – 6 |
Buffalo | L | Boston, MA |
| 9/25/19652 | Buffalo | 13 – 13 | University of Tampa | T | Buffalo, NY |
| 10/2/19653 | Massachusetts | 18 – 6 | Buffalo | W | Amherst, MA |
| 10/9/19654 | Buffalo | 7 – 14 | Boston University | L | Buffalo, NY |
| 10/16/19655 | Buffalo | 24 – 0 | Richmond | W | Buffalo, NY |
| 10/23/19656 | Buffalo | 0 – 0 | Dayton | T | Buffalo, NY |
| 10/30/19657 | Holy Cross | 20 – 7 | Buffalo | L | Worcester, MA |
| 11/6/19658 | Delaware | 22 – 0 | Buffalo | W | Newark, DE |
| 11/13/19659 | Buffalo | 28 – 0 | Colgate | W | Buffalo, NY |
| 11/20/196510 | Villanova | 20 – 7 | Buffalo | W | Villanova, PA |
FINAL RECORD: 5-3-2
Home: Rotary Field, Bailey and Winspear Avenues;
Coach: Dick Offenhamer
- “Eagles Outscore Stubborn Bulls, 18-6” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 19 September 1965.
- “Tampa Ties Bulls with Rally, 13-13” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 26 September 1965.
- “Bulls’ Early TDs Sink Massachusetts, 18-6” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 3 October 1965.
- “Boston U Shades Bulls, 14-7” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 10 October 1965.
- “Bulls Hand Richmond 24-0 Setback” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 17 October 1965.
- “UB, Dayton Play Scoreless Tie” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 24 October 1965.
- “Holy Cross Hands UB 20-7 Defeat” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 31 October 1965.
- “LaFountain Leads Bulls to 22-0 Win” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 7 November 1965.
- “Bulls Crush Red Raiders in 28-0 Upset” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 14 November 1965.
- “UB Defeats Villanova For 5th Victory, 20- 7” Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 21 November 1965.
— Buffalo Courier-Express, December 12, 1965