Buffalo State(0-0)at Robert Morris (0-0) - Saturday, September 7, 2002 - Moon Stadium (Moon Township, PA)

Series Record

Buffalo State is 3-2 in five previous meetings with Division I-AA Robert Morris. The Bengals defeated the Colonials 33-27 in last year''s season opener at Coyer Field. TJ Cottrell caught a game-winning 39-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds remaining to break the tie. The Bengals snapped the Colonials'' 17-game winning streak. Robert Morris defeated the Bengals 30-20 the last time the two teams met in Moontownship, PA.

About the Coaches

Buffalo State is led by second-year head coach Bob Swank who became the Bengals'' third head coach since the program''s inception in 1981. After a late hire last season, Swank brings his first recruiting class into the mix this season as he and his staff will look to return the program to the postseason for the 11th time in 12 years. Swank came to Buffalo State after spending six seasons as the Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator at Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC. Prior to Methodist, Swank was the defensive backs coach at Midwestern State, and played quarterback and defensive back at Widener University.

Joe Walton, the former head coach of the New York Jets, begins his ninth season leading the Colonials. He has an overall record of 58-21-1 (.731) and has won five Northeast Conference titles and two national Division I-AA non-scholarship national titles. In seven seasons as the coach of the Jets, Walton amassed a 53-57-1 record including two playoff appearances.

Preseason Honors

Buffalo State offensive tackle Hans Mann (Orchard Park) was selected Second Team Preseason All-America by d3football.com. The 6''5" 340-pound lineman is entering his fourth season as a starter. He was and ECAC Upstate All-Star last season.

Polling

Buffalo State begins the season ranked eight of 14 teams in ECAC Upstate New York Football. The eight place ranking in the Bengals lowest preseason slot since 1990.

1. Brockport (7) - 185, 2. Ithaca (5) - 182, 3. Rensselaer (1) - 160, 4. Union (1) - 159, 5. Cortland - 136, 6. Hobart - 130, 7. Hartwick -115 , 8. Buffalo State - 88, 9. Rochester -79, 10. Alfred - 78, 11. St. John Fisher - 70, 12. St. Lawrence - 37, 13. Hamilton - 32, 14. Utica - 19

Calling the Signals

Buffalo State quarterback Mariano Granata (Lewiston-Porter) will make his Bengal debut on Saturday. The 6-4 junior earned the starting job during the preseason, edging out a redshirt freshman and several newcomers. Freshman Jeff Shostak (Smethport-PA) will be the back-up for the season opener.