University at Albany Football Begins 2007 Preseason Practice on Monday, Aug. 6

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany football program begins preseason camp on Monday, August 6 with an afternoon workout, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. The Great Danes will conduct their preseason practices on the campus’ Dutch Quad intramural fields. UAlbany opens its 35th varsity campaign against Colgate on Saturday, September 1 in Hamilton, N.Y. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. ET.

2007 SEASON PREVIEW
UAlbany made progress by recording a pair of top-25 wins and finishing in a tie for second in the Northeast Conference standings last season. But now the Great Danes want more, including a championship, as they enter their ninth season at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) level.

"We should have a great defensive unit and a solid kicking game," explains UAlbany's Bob Ford, who is second among active FCS-I head coaches with 217 career victories. "We have veteran personnel at every spot and enough talent to be considered in the top echelon of the conference."

Ford continues, "The offensive line has a strong nucleus and the tight end situation is upbeat. We have a stable of running backs with a decent corps of wide receivers."

UAlbany has 41 letterwinners, including 11 starters, back from a team that produced a 7-4 record. The Great Danes have reached the seven-win mark five times as an FCS program.

"We certainly need to be more consistent on offense and reduce our penalties and turnovers," Ford evaluates. "Our quarterbacks had a good spring but still need to develop and take charge. We also have an untested group of cornerbacks."

UAlbany will again compete against a formidable list of non-conference opponents in preparation for the NEC season. A trip to perennial national power Montana and dates with Colgate, Hofstra and Fordham fill out the month of September.


OFFENSE: Coach Ford is making changes on an offense that ranked sixth in scoring and seventh in total yards among the conference leaders. Daniel Bocanegra, last year's starting quarterback, will move to flanker and work on special teams as a returner to take advantage of his athleticism. Sophomore Frank Blasinsky has been installed in the No. 1 position. He played in nine games as a true freshman, throwing for 258 yards and one TD. "He doesn't have to play out of his mind for us to be successful," offers Ford, who has help on the way with three incoming freshman QBs.

The Great Danes will have to replace three all-conference offensive linemen, including NFL free agent Jacob Hobbs. But both starting guards are back in Sam Pagano (6-3, 290) and Jeff Wentzell (6-4, 295). Pagano was named to the Football Gazette Division I FCS All-America Team as an honorable mention selection. Raphael Nguti (6-6, 330) and Boston College transfer Justin Tougas (6-6, 308) are ready to continue a long-standing tradition of great tackles. Sophomore center Kevin Richards (6-2, 280) is expected to anchor the line.

Omar Johnson is the top returning rusher with 435 yards and seven touchdowns. Johnson, a senior tailback, is among the school's all-time leaders with 17 career rushing TDs. Colin Simmons, who like Johnson missed spring practice while recovering from off-season surgery, ran for 215 yards as a freshman. Sophomores Justin Gannon and David McCarty, a converted flanker, worked at tailback throughout last spring. Fullback Dan Beigel (6-2, 230) has been productive throughout his career. He has run for nearly 600 yards and scored six TDs.

Irani DeAraujo and Mike Wall started at split end and flanker, respectively, last year. DeAraujo had a team-high 28 receptions for 270 yards. Mike Wall, who earned All-NEC honors as a kick returner, hauled in 15 passes for 217 yards and two TDs. He also ranked among the national leaders with a 24.9 kickoff return average. Marcus Miles (6-3, 240) and Dan Archer (6-3, 230) are capable tight ends with blocking skills.



DEFENSE: The Great Danes are coming off their best defensive campaign since moving to Division I FCS. 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.

Colin Disch is about to become the school's all-time tackles leader. Disch is the team's most decorated individual as he made the AFCA (first team) and Football Gazette (third team) All-America squads. He was also voted mid-major linebacker of the year and the NEC's top defender for the second season in a row. Disch, a senior, reached the 100-tackle mark for the third straight campaign (103). He has double-figure hits in 21 career games.

"He has the instincts that all great linebackers have," Ford says. "He can come over the top and underneath blocks with quickness and speed."

Tommy Genovesi (6-2, 225) and Mark Peretore (6-1, 230) are also positioned at inside linebacker. Genovesi made 36 tackles while playing in all 11 games. Peretore was fourth on the team in tackles (48), including 25 unassisted.

Trevor DuPont (6-1, 220) and Chris Simpson (6-0, 230) are penciled in at the outside spots. DuPont accounted for 34 tackles and scored on an interception return. Simpson showed great promise as a freshman by contributing on special teams.

UAlbany's defensive line performed at a high level throughout last season. Defensive tackle Michael Dungey (6-2, 275) earned mid-major All-America and all-region recognition and was a first-team All-NEC choice. He accounted for 34 tackles, including eight for a loss. Defensive ends Jon Volpe (6-1, 260) and Mark Sheehan (6-2, 260) have been integral in the line's rotation. Sheehan was second on the team in sacks (4.5) and reached paydirt on a 55-yard interception return. Tackle Tom Pandolf (6-0, 260) was the team's most improved player with 29 tackles and 4.0 sacks.

Graduation wiped out most of UAlbany's starting secondary. Cornerbacks Jean Juste (13 tackles) and L.B. McCloskey (10 tackles) each saw significant time last year. Dave Casale will get an opportunity at the free safety position. Safety Dave Nicomini is a physical defender who had 51 tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore. Dave West, an all-conference baseball outfielder, will also help at the safety positions.

KICKING GAME: Placekicker Jason Fralicker earned second-team All-NEC honors after booting a school-record 13 field goals and leading the team in scoring with 64 points. Fralicker, who also handled kickoffs, made all 25 point-after attempts. Chris Lynch earned first-team mid-major All-America and all-conference honors after averaging 38.8 yards per punt.