Zordich taking control of UB offense

August 21, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

By Matthew peasleE

Playing at the University of Buffalo isn’t that far off from his time at Cardinal Mooney, says Alex Zordich.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound quarterback was recently named the Bulls’ starter two weeks before they open the season at Georgia.

“We like to run the ball a lot,” Zordich said. “But there’s always the right moments to air it out. Either way, it’s straight power football — right down your throat.

“The offense reminds me so much of my Mooney days. Except, obviously, it’s a different game here and it’s a much higher level.”

And there’s one more cosmetic detail that’s different from high school to college.

“My hair is getting a lot longer,” he said, laughing. “I haven’t cut it in a while and my friends back home have made some comments about it. I’m just letting it fly.”

It’s also what he wants to do with his passes.

Zordich, entering his junior season, has completed 44 of 106 passes in nine games for 469 yards. After being named UB’s starting QB his freshman year, Zordich missed the last three game of the season after suffering broken ribs. Then, he served as the main backup to Chaz Anderson, a fifth-year senior who transferred from Cincinnati.

“It’s not as enjoyable,” Zordich said of being a backup. “You take it for what it is. I learned a lot being in that position. It’s tough because you may not play, but you need to prepare like you’re the starter. I’m confident taking that experience into this year.”

His main competitor for the top spot was Joe Licata, one of the most decorated quarterbacks in western New York history. He’s from Williamsville, a Buffalo suburb, and completed 64-percent of passes for 2,573 yards in his senior year at Williamsville South.

“The competition really started from the end of last year,” Zordich said. “Regardless of what happened, I was ready to play — Week 1 or not — I was thinking about this year for a long time. I’m excited about getting back to the winning and I’m ready to turn things around.”

Last year, the Bulls were 3-9 (2-6 in the Mid-American Conference), an improvement from their 2-10 (1-7) campaign in 2010.

Buffalo opens the season Sept. 1 on the road against the Bulldogs. More than 92,000 fans are expected at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.

“We’ve been thinking about that experience a lot,” Zordich said. “Not only is it the season opener, but it’s against one of the most historic programs in the country in a crazy atmosphere.”

The Bulls faced another Southeastern Conference foe last year in Tennessee. They fell 41-10 at Neyland Stadium.

“It’s going to be nuts again,” Zordich said. “But it’s definitely the kind of place you dream of playing in.”

Also crazy is his mother, Cynthia’s, autumn travel schedule.

With Alex in Buffalo and eldest son, Michael, at Penn State, she usually alternates which boy to see play on Saturday. Sometimes, she’ll hit them both in one day if she’s lucky enough to draw an afternoon and prime time game. Her Sundays are spent in Philadelphia to see husband, Michael Sr., coach for the Eagles.

“My whole family has a blast with football,” Alex said. “Fall is obviously our favorite time of year.”