Bengals blow out Morrisville State, 58-31

Buffalo State wrapped up the 2011 season on Saturday, defeating Morrisville State by a score of 58-31 to give the Bengals a 5-5 record, their best finish since 2000.

"This was a great win and a great way to close out the season," head coach Jerry Boyes told buffalostateathletics.com. "We issued a challenge to ourselves a few weeks ago to close the season strong, and winning three of our last four proved that we are a program that has turned the corner."

Assistant coach Matt Hanhold said there were many positives to take from the game and from the season.

"Even though 5-5 is not the record we set out to obtain in August, it is a step in the right direction," Hanhold said. "There were a lot of big plays offensively (on Saturday) and the defense made some big plays with turnovers.Overall, it was a great team effort from our players and our staff."

The Bengals' victory also marked the 100th win in Boyes' 18-year career.

"At the end of the game, I got goose bumps knowing that I have had an opportunity to be a part of his legacy and what he has done for Buffalo State College and this program," Hanhold said.

"Jerry has had an impact on a lot of young men and coaches," he continued. "I can say that one of the biggest things I have learned from Jerry is how to prepare men to play the game and to get them to believe that they can do something that they do not think is possible. It is a great feeling to know that I have had an opportunity to work for a legendary coach."

Junior quarterback Casey Kacz also applauded his coach's accomplishment.

"It's amazing for him to get 100 wins," Kacz said. "For him to reach that number is really something special, and it's quite an accomplishment."

Over the last three years, one of the biggest obstacles that the team faced was trying to improve the mentality within the locker room. After 10 consecutive losing seasons, the Bengals were tired of failure and were eager to improve.

Hanhold said the team's willingness to better themselves was evident from the first day of training camp in August.

"The one big change I noticed from August to now is the belief that we can beat anyone on our schedule," Hanhold said.  "In years past, the talent had always been there but the right mindset and attitude had to be implemented in our men. This year, our men knew that they could go out on Saturdays and win every game."

Boyes agreed.

"The biggest thing that has changed is the culture, the character of the players," Boyes said. "The players are now working together; they trust each other and have faith in each other. Yes, talent plays a part in it, but if you have great talent and you don't have those great character qualities, you don't really build a program. It's talent with character qualities, and I'm really impressed with these players."

In 2012, the Bengals will join the Empire 8 Conference, a league that boasts local rivals such as St. John Fisher and Ithaca. The opportunity to take on these opponents and to potentially win a championship is a thought that has the team salivating.

"We have a lot of guys coming back next year who are ready to step up and replace the seniors who are graduating," Kacz said. "I'm looking forward to playing against guys that I've known since high school, and the new competition will be exciting for all of us."

Hanhold said he believed that the chance to win a championship isn't that far away.

"I feel that we have unfinished business moving into 2012," Hanhold said. "It will be exciting, and it hurts to be sitting at home in November knowing you were so close, but it is just more motivation to work harder and get better. August cannot come soon enough."

Tony Fiorello can be reached at fiorello.record@live.com.