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1965 Buffalo Bulls Football

by Scott Hollander
University at Buffalo Libraries

Team Photo

Head coach Dick Offenhamer called the 1965 Buffalo Bulls Football the greatest comeback football team he ever coached.

Dick Offenhamer with playerThe 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, 18-6Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 19 September 1965.
  • Tampa Ties Bulls with Rally, 13-13Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 26 September 1965.
  • Bulls’ Early TDs Sink Massachusetts, 18-6Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 3 October 1965.
  • Boston U Shades Bulls, 14-7Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 10 October 1965.
  • Bulls Hand Richmond 24-0 SetbackBuffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 17 October 1965.
  • UB, Dayton Play Scoreless TieBuffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 24 October 1965.
  • Holy Cross Hands UB 20-7 DefeatBuffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 31 October 1965.
  • LaFountain Leads Bulls to 22-0 WinBuffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 7 November 1965.
  • Bulls Crush Red Raiders in 28-0 UpsetBuffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 14 November 1965.
  • UB Defeats Villanova For 5th Victory, 20- 7Buffalo Courier-Express Buffalo, NY, 21 November 1965.

Newspaper clipping: U B Gridders finished 2nd in nation on rushing defense

Buffalo Courier-Express, December 12, 1965