Former University at Buffalo quarterback Maynard looking for that signature win

COLUMBUS, OHIO - In the two years since he was named the starting quarterback at the University of California Berkley, Zach Maynard is still looking for that one defining moment of his career.

It all most came on Saturday.

Maynard (26-37 280 yards, with a touchdown and a pick) and the California Golden Bears came oh-so close too defeating the 12th ranked team in the country, before falling to the Ohio State Buckeyes, 35-28, in front of more than 105,000 at the Horseshow in Columbus, Ohio.

It was a game where Maynard earned the respect of his teammates as he took some serious punishment all game long from a very good Ohio State defense.

Instead of giving in, Maynard led his team back from a 20-7 first quarter deficit and had them leading, 28-21, midway through the fourth – before Braxton Miller and the Buckeyes rallied for the win on a 72-yard touchdown pass with just under two minutes to play in the game.

"Zach played really well today,” said California coach Jeff Tedford after the game. “He managed the field, took a lot of hits and kept going and kept control of his offense. He really hung in there and played well against a great Ohio State defense."

Maynard’s poise under pressure is something that former University at Buffalo coach Turner Gill saw in him in high school and was one of the reasons why he recruited him to Buffalo.

Maynard played in all 12 games, and started 11, during his sophomore season for the Bulls in 2009. He threw for more than 2,000 with 18 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

He looked to be the quarterback of the future when he decided to transfer after the season.

The decision too transfer based on the fact that Turner Gill took the head-coaching job at the University of Kansas.

From there, Maynard was looking for a home and settled on California where his brother, receiver Keenan Allen, is a star wide receiver and a legit National Football League prospect.

“I talked to my family about it,” Maynard said. “It wasn’t a tough decision at all.”

Now it’s up to Maynard to try and get California over the hump. He has another chance this weekend when they travel to take on USC.