The Craig Cirbus era kicks off Saturday night at UB Stadium as the Bulls host Fordham at 7 p.m.

Cirbus has named junior Mark Taylor as the Bulls' starting quarterback for the opener. Taylor, the backup to record-setting QB Cliff Scott the last two seasons, saw action in five contests in 1994, completing six passes for 82 yards and rushing for an additional 40.

Taylor's main target will be senior tight end and co-captain Chris Behan who had 334 yards on 31 receptions and two touchdowns last season. Behan was selected the top Division I-AA Independent tight end by The Sports Network. The defense will be anchored by linebacker Pete Conley. Conley led the Bulls with 108 tackles last season including four tackles for losses and three sacks. The senior co-captain had five games of better than 10 tackles last season.

The Royals host a two-day event this weekend at Alumni Arena to begin their 1995 season. UB meets regional rival St. Bonaventure in the opener on Friday night at 7 p.m. The Royals then tangle with Northeastern Illinois at 1 p.m. and East Tennessee State at 7 p.m. on Saturday.

UB will rely on senior Candie Hirst who is just two kills shy of the all-time school mark held by Kelley Brennan with 1133. Hirst was selected to the Mid-Continent's first team All-Eastern Division squad in 1994. Also returning for coach Bob Maxwell's squad are senior Laurie Santelli and junior Candi Sims. Santelli had 410 kills last season to rank second on the team while Sims was the team's top setter with 750 assists.

After an 11-7-1 record in 1994 and the Eastern Division crown of the Mid-Continent Conference, the Bulls look to continue their winning ways. UB kicks off their season on the road this weekend at the Pittsburgh Tournament against Robert Morris and St. Francis. Head coach John Astudillo returns nine starters from last season's squad including leading scorer Ediru Okpewho who had nine goals and three assists in 1994. Okpewho was selected as the league's co-Most Valuable Player in the conference tournament and earned first team All-Eastern Division honors. Junior goalkeeper Jay Palmer also returns after earning both All-Tournament and All-Eastern Division honors in 1994. Palmer posted a 1.59 goals against average with five shutouts last season.

The new era begins this weekend as the Royals under new coach Jean-A. Tassy takes on Stony Brook (Saturday) and Guelph (Sunday) at 1 p.m. at RAC Field. Leading scorer Lori Perillo returns for her junior season after 10 goals and three assists in 1994. Perillo tied for the team lead in points with Joanna Tower last season with 23. Tower scored nine goals for the Royals.

In goal, senior Nicole Pittaro returns to handle the nets. Her 1.78 goals against average and three shutouts led the team. Pittaro saw action in 10 games last season stopping 89 shots.