When Turner Gill was going 28-2 as Nebraska's quarterback in the early 1980s, he was known for his sleight of hand in the option attack.
But it wasn't until he became the coach at lowly Buffalo that he was truly acknowledged as a magician. Three seasons after taking over a team coming off a one-win season, Gill is one of the hottest names in coaching. A year ago he led the Bulls to an 8-6 record and their first Mid-American Conference title.
Over the past two years, Buffalo has won 13 games — one more than in its first eight seasons in Division I-A.
"I'm excited," Gill said after his squad was picked to win the East in 2009. "We just need to build on what we've learned."
Gill took the Bulls to the International Bowl. Then he spurned several feelers from bigger schools to sign an extension.
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Asked if he needed to alter what got the Bulls to the title game, Gill answered with typical clarity: "Why change? … Our guys expect to win now. Once you've done it, you can see what it takes to keep winning."
Mid-American Capsules
West Division
Central Michigan
• Key players: QB Dan LeFevour, WR Antonio Brown, WR Bryan Anderson, LB Nick Bellore.
• Returning starters: 6 offense, 10 defense.
• Notes: Has MAC's longest streak of winning seasons (4), but opens at Arizona and then at Michigan State.
Western Michigan
• Key players: QB Tim Hiller, RB Brandon West, OG Nick Clemens.
• Returning starters: 7 offense, 4 defense.
• Notes: Hiller has 76 career TD passes and needs 25 to pass Marshall's Chad Pennington (100) as the all-time MAC leader.
Northern Illinois
• Key players: QB Chandler Harnish, C Eddie Adamski, S David Bryant.
• Returning starters: 7 offense, 4 defense.
• Notes: Harnish's 1,528 passing yards in 2008 is No. 8 all-time among MAC freshmen.
Toledo
• Key players: LB Archie Donald, S Barry Church, WR Stephen Williams, QB Aaron Opelt.
• Returning starters: 9 offense, 9 defense.
• Notes: Williams' 1,010 rushing yards was ninth-best ever by a MAC frosh.
Ball State
• Key players: RB MiQuale Lewis, WR Briggs Orsbon, TE Madaris Grant.
• Returning starters: 4 offense, 7 defense.
• Notes: Reached highest ranking ever — No. 12 in AP poll — on Nov. 30.
Eastern Michigan
• Key players: QB Andy Schmitt, WR Jacory Stone, LB Jermaine Jenkins, LB Andre Hatchett.
• Returning starters: 7 offense, 8 defense.
• Notes: New coach Ron English was a defensive coordinator at Michigan and Louisville.
East Division
Buffalo
• Key players: WR Naaman Roosevelt, OL Peter Bittner, WR Brett Hamlin, RB James Starks.
• Returning starters: 6 offense, 9 defense.
• Notes: Starks has been named to the Doak Walker (nation's top running back) watch list.
Temple
• Key players: QB Vaughn Charlton, OL Wayne Tribue, WR Jason Harper, DL Brian Sanford.
• Returning starters: 8 offense, 8 defense.
• Notes: Redshirt junior Charlton, with seven career starts, takes over for the departed Adam DiMichele at QB.
Akron
• Key players: RG Zach Anderson, C Elliot Bates, WR Deryn Bowser, QB Chris Jacquemain.
• Returning starters: 9 offense, 6 defense.
• Notes: Opens new stadium Sept. 12 when the Zips host Morgan State.
Ohio
• Key players: WR LaVon Brazill, QB Boo Jackson, WR Taylor Price, OL David White, S Steve Jackson.
• Returning starters: 7 offense, 7 defense.
• Notes: Seniors Jackson and Theo Scott will fight for the starting QB spot.
Bowling Green
• Key players: QB Tyler Sheehan, OL Shane Steffy, OL Brady Minture.
• Returning starters: 7 offense, 3 defense.
• Notes: New coach Dave Clawson was offensive coordinator at Tennessee last year.
Kent State
• Key players: OL Chris Anzevino, OL Michael Fay, RB Eugene Jarvis.
• Returning starters: 8 offense, 7 defense.
• Notes: Senior Anthony Magazu and sophomore Giorgio Morgan will battle for the starting QB job.
Miami (Ohio)
• Key players: QB Daniel Raudabaugh, WR Dustin Woods, WR Chris Givens, OL Brandon Brooks.
• Returning starters: 7 offense, 6 defense.
• Notes: Mike Haywood, offensive coordinator at Notre Dame last season, takes over as coach.
The Associated Press
