In 1958 the Buffalo Bulls posted the best single-season record in school history. They went 8-1, won the Lambert Cup as the top small-college team in the East, and earned an invitation to the Tangerine Bowl. Then they turned the invitation down. The reason is a story about standing by teammates, and in my view it is the best place to start if you want a Bulls jersey with meaning.
An AI editor wrote this article, relying on University at Buffalo news stories and the UB Bulls Hall of Fame for the team facts.
The season
The UB Athletics Hall of Fame entry for the 1958 team lays out the numbers. An 8-1 record, described on that page as UB's single best football season record. The Lambert Cup, awarded to the Eastern small-college champion. And the Tangerine Bowl bid, which was UB's only postseason invitation of that era. By any measure it was a team worth celebrating.
The choice
According to UBNow, the bowl invitation came with a condition: Willie Evans and Mike Wilson, the team's two African-American players, would not be allowed to attend. The players met and voted. The decision was unanimous. They would not play without their teammates.
It is easy to talk about loyalty in sports. It is much harder to give up a bowl game, the reward for an entire season, to stand by two teammates. The 1958 Bulls did exactly that, and the university later inducted the team into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.
Why the story still matters to fans
Big wins are great, but I find this kind of story more memorable: a moment where a team's character was tested and the answer was unanimous. If someone asks you what the Bulls stand for, the 1958 decision is a strong answer. It turns a football jersey into a statement about values, which is why I think 58 is one of the best custom numbers a Bulls fan can choose.
The longer road
The 1958 team was one chapter in a long and winding history. The UB Reporter archive notes that the first team was formed in 1894 by 14 medical students, and that the football team took on the Bulls name in 1931. UBNow recounts that the university dropped football after the 1970 season and brought it back in 1977 in Division III under coach Bill Dando, opening with a 7-7 tie against RIT on October 8, 1977.
From there the program kept climbing. UB Stadium opened in 1993, UB moved up to the FBS in 1999, and in 2008 the Bulls beat No. 14 Ball State 42-24 to win the MAC Championship, with safety Mike Newton earning MVP honors.
Wearing the Bulls today
If the 1958 story is part of why you love Buffalo football, there are several ways to reflect it in a jersey. The Robert Henrys collection has 2026 designs with a color menu of Black, Black Alternate, Blue, Blue Alternate and White on the sample listing.
A custom jersey with meaning
The most personal option is a custom jersey. Put your family name on the back with the number 58, or choose a different number tied to UB history:
- 58 to honor the 1958 team.
- 94 for the first team in 1894.
- 77 for the 1977 return of football.
- 08 for the 2008 MAC title.
Player jerseys
If you would rather wear a player's name, the player listings, as titled in the catalog, include Khalil Mack No. 46, Terrance Shelton Jr No. 25, SaVeon Brown No. 1, Qur'an Q McNeill No. 12, Jasaiah Gathings No. 8, Cornell Evans No. 99 and Branden Oliver No. 32.
The Queen City jersey
The Queen City Jersey No. 716 is a hometown design. It is a great pick for anyone who grew up in Buffalo, went to school there or simply loves the city's nickname.
Team designs
The Team Jersey No. 1 and Bulls Jersey No. 26 keep the spotlight on the whole program. They are good choices if you want a jersey that will feel current for many seasons, whatever happens with the roster.
Which color fits you?
- Blue appears first in the "Blue, White and Gold" description from the 1977 article, which makes it an easy pick.
- Blue Alternate offers a variation for fans who already own a blue jersey.
- White looks clean and bright in photos.
- Black and Black Alternate give a darker, modern look that also works away from the stadium.
Where the jersey fits in a game-day outfit
A jersey is the centerpiece, so keep the rest simple. Jeans or joggers, a pair of comfortable shoes for the walk from the lots, and a knit hat in blue or white for colder games are all most fans need. If you choose Black or Black Alternate, a blue cap adds a pop of school color without clashing.
Getting the size right
You can pick Men, Women or Youth in sizes S to 3XL. The easiest way to choose is to match a T-shirt you already like. Stay at the same size for a regular fit, or go up one if you want to layer a sweatshirt underneath on a cold November day. Kids often get more wear from one Youth size up.
A note on construction
The listing descriptions say the letters and numbers are stitched tackle twill, and most listing descriptions in this collection describe a body made of 100% recycled polyester. As always, read the listing for the specific design you choose.
Gifts with a message
A Bulls jersey with 58 on the back makes a thoughtful gift for a UB graduate, a lifelong Buffalo fan or a young athlete learning what it means to be a good teammate. Pair it with the story of Willie Evans, Mike Wilson and the teammates who would not leave them behind. When ordering a custom gift, check the spelling of the name carefully; it is the one detail you want to be perfect.
Sharing the story with younger fans
If a young fan ever asks why a number matters, the 1958 team gives parents a simple answer. A group of players had the best season their school had ever seen, and when they were told two teammates could not come to the bowl game, they all chose to stay home together. That is an easy lesson to understand at any age, and a jersey with 58 on the back is a daily reminder of it.
If you are buying for a child, consider a Youth custom jersey with the family name and 58, and tell the story the first time they wear it. It turns a gift into a memory.
Team design or player name?
If you cannot decide between a Team Jersey No. 1 and a player listing, think about how long you want the jersey to feel current. A team design celebrates the program as a whole, so it stays relevant no matter who is on the field next season. A player jersey captures a specific era. One approach is to start with a team or custom design and add a player jersey once a favorite emerges.
Dressing a group
Families and friends who sit together can coordinate without everyone wearing the same jersey. Pick one color, such as Blue, and let each person choose a different back: one Queen City No. 716, one Bulls No. 26, a player name or two and a custom 58. In photos the group looks unified, and each person still has a jersey with personal meaning.
A short Buffalo football timeline
- 1894: 14 medical students form the first UB team.
- 1931: the Bulls name arrives.
- 1958: 8-1, the Lambert Cup and a unanimous vote to skip the Tangerine Bowl.
- 1977: football returns in Division III after a pause that began after the 1970 season.
- 1993: the 1958 team enters the UB Athletics Hall of Fame, and UB Stadium opens.
- 1999: the move up to the FBS.
- 2008: MAC champions after a 42-24 win over Ball State.
Three questions before you buy
- What do you want the back to say: a player, the city, the team or a story of your own?
- Which color will you wear most often: Blue, White, Black or one of the alternates?
- Will you layer underneath? If so, go one size up from your usual T-shirt.
Bringing the story to the stadium
At UB Stadium, a jersey is a way to show up for the team. A jersey with a story behind it is a way to show up for what the team represents. If the 1958 Bulls are part of why you cheer, let your jersey say so.
When you are ready, explore the full lineup of Buffalo Bulls jerseys from Robert Henrys and choose the name, number and color that tell your version of the story.