BUFFALO, N.Y. - As the Bulls begin summer practices, a bunch of familiar faces are back on offense. UB returns eight of eleven starters from one of the MAC's top groups; last year's team finished first in the conference in passing yards per game and third in total yards per game.

"We want to be the best," says junior wideout KJ Osborn. "One of our goals in the receiver room is to be the best vertical pass game. We have high expectations. We know what guys can do."

"We have all of our offensive line, except one guy, coming back. That's huge," says junior quarterback Tyree Jackson. "Those guys have really been working. I think that's what's gonna help us the most."

Jackson put up very solid numbers in his sophomore year, tossing 12 touchdowns against just three interceptions in eight games. An injury to his left knee cost him four games, though Jackson says the knee is completely healed.

"He's had a great summer here working out," says Lance Leipold, Buffalo's head coach. "You can see him taking that next step as the leader we need him to be."

If Jackson leads as well as Leipold hopes he can, the Bulls have a good chance of reaching their third bowl game in school history, and their first since 2013's Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.