Bulls arrive in the Bahamas

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The Bulls touched down in the Bahamas shortly after 1:30 Monday afternoon and were greeted by sunshine, palm trees, 80-degree weather and reggae music at Lynden Pindling International Airport.

The UB football team is trading in the frigid snow of Buffalo for the warmth of the Caribbean this week as they get set to face UNC-Charlotte in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Friday. Both teams arrived Monday and will participate in a variety of events throughout the week.

Monday’s festivities featured a welcome reception for the teams, which are both staying at the expansive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas resort hotel. “I’m stoked. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We’re really blessed and fortunate to be in this situation,” said Jake Fuzak, a junior offensive lineman from Williamsville.

The weeklong Bahamas trip is the Bulls’ reward for a 7-5 regular season. It’s their second straight bowl appearance and fourth in program history. UB is hoping to make history by capturing its first-ever bowl victory later this week.

Until then, it’s all about experiencing a new destination with teammates. “I know they’re going to make memories that will last a lifetime. You could feel the energy on the bus coming here and we could feel it this morning when we met as a team back in Buffalo,” said Bulls head coach Lance Leipold.

“It’s amazing. It’s beautiful. All the guys saw Atlantis, and everyone got riled up and excited,” added Taylor Riggins, a junior defensive end from Webster, New York. “Everyone on the team is really excited to be here and get out of that cold weather up in Buffalo. Lately it’s been low 30s and snowing every day. To be able to get down here in the sun is really nice for us.”

For junior linebacker Kadofi Wright, just about everything will be new and nice — this is the first trip outside of Virginia or New York for the Richmond native. “This hotel is ridiculous. I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.

The Bulls plan on having some fun while they’re here, but make no mistake, they’ve got one goal in mind. “It’s not really a vacation for us. It’s a business trip,” Wright said. “We’re looking forward to a win. Once we win, then it’ll be a fun trip.”

UB has already scored one victory over Charlotte since arriving in the Bahamas. Max Michel, a redshirt freshman linebacker from Elizabeth, New Jersey, used his speedy thumbs to guide the Bulls to a win in the pinball competition held during the welcome reception. Not bad for someone who hasn’t even played pinball since he was a kid playing it on a computer game.

The Bulls received a championship trophy, and will return to Buffalo with a pinball machine, the grand prize for winning the event.

When asked how he managed to perform so well despite a severe lack of pinball experience, Michel offered this gem: “When it’s all on the line, you have to lock in, and that’s what I did.”

The team’s practice on Tuesday was cancelled. But later in the day, the players will take part in a beach bash and dinner featuring a dance contest and games, including beach bowling and beach golf.