UAlbany Football Ranked Third in The Sports Network Preseason FCS Mid-Major Poll

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Philadelphia, Pa. -- UAlbany football is ranked third in The Sports Network’s preseason FCS Mid-Major Top-10 poll as announced on Wednesday, Aug. 29. The Great Danes, who are the coaches’ pick to win this year’s Northeast Conference title, received one first-place vote. San Diego, the winner of two consecutive Sports Network Cups as the top Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) mid-major program, was the top pick on 15 of 17 ballots. Drake is second in the poll.

The Great Danes, who posted a 7-4 record one year ago, are coming off their best defensive campaign since moving to the Division I FCS level. UAlbany ranked among the top-five nationally in three categories, including points allowed (13.0 pg) and total defense at 240.8 yards per game. All-America linebacker Colin Disch and All-NEC defensive tackle Michael Dungey are among eleven returning starters. Offensive guard Sam Pagano earned All-NEC honors for a unit that averaged more than 190 rushing yards against conference opponents. Placekicker Jason Fralicker booted a school-record 13 field goals and all-league specialist Chris Lynch averaged nearly 39 yards per punt.

The Sports Network FCS Top-10 Mid-Major Poll
Team (First-place votes)
Record
Points
Previous Rank

1. San Diego Toreros (15)
11-1
167
1

2. Drake Bulldogs
9-2
124
3

3. Albany Great Danes (1)
7-4
115
5

4. Monmouth Hawks (1)
10-2
112
2

5. Duquesne Dukes
7-3
102
6

6. Central Conn State Blue Devils
8-3
100
4

7. Robert Morris Colonials
7-4
73
7

8. Davidson Wildcats
6-4
48
8

9. Dayton Flyers
4-6
30
NR

10. Jacksonville Dolphins
4-6
25
10

Others receiving votes (in order of points): Stony Brook 17, Marist 16, Iona 4, Wagner 2.

UALBANY NOTES; Time Warner Cable (TW3) is scheduled to televise three games during the 2007 season ... TW3 will air this Saturday’s contest at Colgate, the home opener on Sept. 15 against Hofstra, and the match-up with conference-rival Sacred Heart as part of Homecoming & Family Weekend on Oct. 13 ... Rodger Wyland and Greg Tobben will handle the play-by-play and color analyst roles, respectively, on the home broadcasts ... Fox Sports Radio AM 980 will again air the entire UAlbany football schedule ... UAlbany and Colgate are meeting for the first time on the gridiron ... Bob Ford is second among active Division I FCS head coach in career victories with 217 ... ILB Colin Disch has been named to The Sports Network FCS Preseason All-America second team ... Disch, who has 346 career tackles, needs nine to become the program’s all-time leader ... DT Michael Dungey, OG Sam Pagano and P Chris Lynch joined Disch on the preseason All-Northeast Conference squad ... The Great Danes have reached the seven-win mark in eight of the last 11 seasons after posting a 7-4 record in 2006.