Hope has always been a recurrent theme at the Buffalo Bulls football team's previous Blue White Scrimmages, but this year's annual spring game on Saturday afternoon at UB Stadium also exhibited feelings of confidence and optimism that have not existed at such high levels in recent years.

"We work hard in the weight room everyday and at practice to come together as a team," said running back James Starks. "It's basically bowl game or bust. That's how everybody feels."

Most of the eyebrow rising plays were made by the Blue squad (the offense) who defeated the White squad (the defense) 73-59, using a scoring system that was implemented for the scrimmage that allowed both sides of the ball to accumulate points off of normally non-scoring statistics.

The return of several key players from last year's five-win season such as quarterback Drew Willy and wide receiver Naaman Roosevelt helped boost the offense over the defense. Meanwhile the defensive unit showcased a number of fresh faces that are competing to fill holes in the lineup created by graduation, most notably in the linebacker core.

"Linebacker is wide open," said Bulls head coach Turner Gill. "I can't sit here today and say 'These guys are going to be starting.' We have some freshmen coming in and there are going to be some battles."

The Blue squad was led by Willy, who completed 16 of his 22 passes for 197 yards and a touchdown. His score went to Roosevelt on a four-yard slant pass. Willy and the other quarterbacks operated out of the shotgun formation with multiple-receiver sets.

"I feel we can be more with a West Coast pro-style spread offense," Willy said. "I think there's a lot of different way we can go with the offense depending on who's hot in the game."

Starks, the team's returning starting running back, only carried the ball two times throughout the entire scrimmage, with the load of the work going to a slew of backups. Brandon Thermilus had 12 carries on 91 yards and a touchdown while tailback Ike Nduka reached the end-zone on a 30-yard scamper.

Defensive standouts included linebacker Jerry Housey who made his case to earn a starting spot by recording a scrimmage-high 7.5 tackles. Defensive end Gordon DuBois also registered two sacks and defensive back Sherrod Lott returned an interception 24 yards for a score.

The Bulls will begin the 2008 season when Conference USA's UTEP comes to UB Stadium on Thursday, August 28.

For more pictures from this event, head to Buffalo.com/Spotted.