The Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl trophy, flanked by helmets from UB and the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

UB football head coach Lance Leipold (left) and players Matt Otwinowski (center) and Jaret Patterson greet members of the press at the pregame press conference on Thursday. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

The UB football team takes part in a final walk-thru practice on Thursday as they prepare for the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Friday. The practice was held in a light rain on a field near the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

The Bulls held a pep rally in the lobby of the Royal Towers at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Music was provided by the UB Pep Band. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Let's go Bulls! Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

UB linebacker Rich Miller talks strategy with a young teammate at the youth football clinic held on Dec. 18 near the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium, site of the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. Youth ages 7-13 came out for drills, game play and end zone celebrations during the clinic. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Safety Dawun Hylton joins some young teammates at the youth football clinic. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

A young boy grabs a pass. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Running for a touchdown. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

UB linebacker Rich Miller huddles up with his young teammates. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

UB wide receiver Max Bowden shares a fist-bump with a participant in the youth football clinic. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Another friendly competition between UB and UNC Charlotte — this time a dance contest — took place during the Beach Bash at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. Performing are (from left) wide receiver Trevor Wilson, linebacker — and pinball champion — Max Michel and cornerback Larry Robbins. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Stern Pinball, which is located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, held a friendly competition between student-athletes from Buffalo and Charlotte during the welcome reception for the teams. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

UB football players pose for photos near the pool at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Offensive lineman Austin Kunick takes a turn on the Leap of Faith waterslide at the water park at the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Tight end Cole Burniston under water after taking his turn on the Leap of Faith waterslide. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Tight end Cole Burniston emerges from the waterslide. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Life's a beach! With practice cancelled on Tuesday, the team got in some quality beach time. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

And the winner of the dance contest: UB! Posing with the golden football trophy are (from left) cornerback Larry Robbins; Craig Johnson, mayor of Elk Grove Village, Illinois, the sponsor of the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl; wide receiver Trevor Wilson and linebacker Max Michel. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

UB linebacker Max Michel won the competition and picked which pinball machine would come home to Buffalo. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Max Michel poses with his trophy and the pinball machine he chose to take back to Buffalo. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Defensive end Jordan Avissey (right) throws around a football with some kids in the lobby of the Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

The UB Bulls board buses to leave the airport. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

The UB Bulls football team leaves the airport after arriving in the Bahamas for the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

(From left) Caleb Tate, Trevor Wilson and Marlyn Johnson give a final "horns up" before boarding the plane. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Marlyn Johnson (sunglasses) and Caleb Tate snap some selfies before boarding the plane to the Bahamas. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki

Sophomore linebacker James Patterson flashes the "horns up" as the team boards buses to the airport. Photo: Paul Hokanson

Ja'Varius Harrison, Matt Otwinowski and Jackson Westfall board the bus. Photo: Paul Hokanson

Head coach Lance Leipold takes questions from the media. Photo: Paul Hokanson

Offensive lineman Kayode Awosika greets fans as the Bulls leave UB Stadium. Photo: Paul Hokanson

Defensive end Kyler Laing high-fives fans as the Bulls leave UB Stadium to play in the Markers Wanted Bahamas Bowl. Photo: Paul Hokanson