AMHERST — University at Buffalo football coach Turner Gill has suspended starting quarterback Zach Maynard and reserve receiver Terrell Jackson for the first quarter of tonight’s home game against Ohio for violating team policies.

The suspensions were announced Monday night in an e-mail to the media updating the Bulls injury report. The e-mail said Gill would not comment on the suspensions until after tonight’s game.

Redshirt freshman Jerry Davis will get his first start in the Bulls final home game of the season, which will be shown on ESPN2. Davis was part of the same recruiting class as Maynard, but lost a competition to be the backup to Drew Willy last year and has been behind Maynard ever since.

In mop-up duty action against Pitt, Temple and Gardner-Webb, Davis completed 5 of 10 passes for 58 yards.

Prior to the season, Gill said Davis was more of a pocket passer than Maynard, but that he would not change the playbook if Davis were to enter the lineup.

Maynard has completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 2,147 yards, 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his first season as a starter. He’s thrown at least one touchdown in every game.

The Bulls will also start true freshman Jeffvon Gill at tailback, since Ike Nduka has been ruled because of an ankle injury. Gill rushed for 172 yards and a touchdown in less than three quarters of action last week against Bowling Green.

Despite Gill’s efforts, UB gave up a 13-point fourth quarter lead against the Falcons on lost in the final minute. The Bulls now need to win their final three games to become bowl eligible, and its no guarantee that a 6-6 record will be good enough to merit a postseason invitation.

A win tonight would allow the UB to have a 3-3 record at home. The team has posted winning records at UB Stadium in each of the past two seasons.



GAME NIGHT

UB (3-6, 1-4 MAC) vs. Ohio (6-3, 4-1)

• WHEN: 7 p.m.

• WHERE: UB Stadium

• RADIO: WECK 1230-AM

• TV: ESPN2

• NOTES: This will be the fourth meeting between Turner Gill and Frank Solich, who worked together for four years on the Nebraska coaching staff. Gill has won the last two meetings. ... Naaman Roosevelt is 24 receiving yards shy of breaking Drew Haddad’s school record.