Senior tight end and football Co-Captain TJ Cottrell was selected to represent Buffalo State College in the 2003 East Coast Bowl in Petersburg, Va. The all-star game for Division II and III seniors took place Nov. 26.

As scouts from the National Football League (NFL) looked on:

• Cottrell helped the north to a 27- 21 victory.
• He made four catches for 86 yards.
• NFL teams included the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, and Philadelphia Eagles.

Cottrell was disappointed that the final year of his collegiate career was not more successful, but was delighted to represent Buffalo State at the Bowl. “It was an honor to be selected to represent Buff. State in the East Coast Bowl, it was a great experience for me,” he said. “I wish that we could have had a better season, it being my last year. But, hey, things don't always go according to plan. The past few seasons were very frustrating for me, losing as many games as we did.”

Cottrell is a fourth- year starter, and has seen Buffalo State's winning record from his freshman year diminish over the years. “We struggled this season as we did last. We had a good record my first year, but have struggled since. There will be a new coaching staff next season, so hopefully we will get better.”

Cottrell going to the East Coast Bowl was one of the few highlights of the Bengals' 2- 8 season. The Bengals have struggled for the past three years. Winning just four games since 2001, they have put together their worst set of consecutive losing seasons since 1985 – 1989, where they went 6- 39 before turning it around the next season. After making the postseason from 1990- 2000, the Bengals recorded a 4- 25 between 2001 and 2003 under Coach Bob Swank.

Junior linebacker Josh Hostuttler is looking forward to playing with a new coaching staff. He thinks that with the new staff, the Bengals will show a dramatic improvement next season. He is not exactly teary eyed about the firing of head coach Swank. “Something needed to be done. He was no good for our team. Hopefully now we'll get a better coach that will call better plays and help us win some games,” he said.

Perhaps Cottrell being selected to the East Coast Bowl is a sign of new and positive things to come in the future for the Bengals. Maybe the new coaching staff can help put together another series of winning seasons. The Bengals still don't know who will be their new head coach.

Related Link
Buffalo State College Men's Football