Linebacker Shaun Dolac is once again coming off an impactful performance for the UB Bulls, leading them to victory over Eastern Michigan and former Bulls QB Cole Snyder 27-30 Wednesday night. The hometown hero tallied a sack and nine tackles, including two tackles for loss, to move his nation-leading tackle total to 146. The game-changing stat from Dolac, however, were his two interceptions (fourth and fifth on the year), one of which he returned 60 yards for his first collegiate touchdown, sealing the game. Buffalo would win the turnover battle 3-0.
My words can’t begin to do it justice, so here is the full play:
Dolac knows how to use his legs largely due to his career as a RB and MLB for West Seneca East Highschool and was named an All-Western New York running back in 2018. Dolac walked on to the UB Bulls football team in 2020 and this week was named as a finalist for the Burlsworth Trophy; aimed at recognizing the best player in the nation who began their career as a walk-on. He was named as a semi-finalist in 2022 and is now UB’s first finalist for the award. Buffalo’s linebacker has also been named as a semi-finalist for the Butkus Award at the collegiate level, awarded to the best linebacker in college.
As if that wasn’t enough, since returning to UB after a short stint at Utah State for the spring semester, Dolac has been named the MAC defensive player of the week four times; a team record.
Buffalo now improves to a record of 7-4 overall, 5-2 in conference play, and remains in contention for the MAC title, currently behind Miami Ohio, Ohio, and Bowling Green. The Bulls gear up for senior night against conference foe, Kent State on Tuesday night where they’ll look to tally eight wins on a season for the third time since returning to Division I FBS in 1999.
Shaun Dolac is a name to remember as his career goes on. The Bulls football program has produced NFL names such as Khalil Mack, Joe Andreessen, and Malcolm Koonce; at the level he is playing now, Dolac should be the next addition to the list.
Written By Raven Ullah, WUFO Intern
