Defending Northeast Conference Football Champion UAlbany Announces 2008 Schedule

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, March 4 the school's football schedule for 2008. The Great Danes, who will play a 12-game regular-season schedule for the first time in team history, faces its toughest group of opponents at the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) level. The non-league schedule features four teams who made NCAA appearances last year, including national runner-up Delaware and quarterfinalist Massachusetts. In addition, UAlbany meets seven Northeast Conference opponents, including first-year member Duquesne.

The Great Danes begin away from home for the eighth time in the last 10 years when they travel to Massachusetts on Saturday, Aug. 30. The Minutemen, who shared the Colonial Athletic Association crown, posted a 10-3 record and reached the NCAA quarterfinals in 2007. Massachusetts played for the national title the previous season. UAlbany entertains Fordham in the home opener at University Field on Sept. 6. Kickoff is 6:00 p.m. The Rams, who had an 8-4 record, won last year's Patriot League championship en route to an automatic NCAA berth.

UAlbany is on the road against three consecutive CAA opponents in Hofstra (Sept. 13), New Hampshire (Sept. 20) and Delaware (Sept. 27). Hofstra finished 7-4 one year ago and was ranked in the FCS national top 25 for the most of the season. New Hampshire advanced to the NCAA playoffs for the fourth consecutive year. The Wildcats, who went 7-5 overall, gave top-seed Northern Iowa all it could handle in the NCAA's first round. Delaware (11-4) was awarded the Lambert Cup Trophy and was voted the ECAC Team of the Year in 2007. The Blue Hens advanced all the way to the NCAA FCS championship game for the first time in four years.

Saint Francis, Pa. will be the opponent for Homecoming and Family Weekend on Oct. 25. Kickoff is 4:00 p.m. UAlbany's Athletic Hall of Fame will also induct new members on that weekend. Central Connecticut State (Oct. 11), Monmouth (Nov. 1) and Wagner (Nov. 15) also visit University Field. All three of those home contests begin at 1:00 p.m.

Bob Ford, who is first among active FCS coaches with 225 career victories, begins his 36th varsity season with 48 letterwinners, including 10 starters, back from last year's squad. UAlbany (8-4) captured the NEC championship and earned a Gridiron Classic berth. Tailback David McCarty, a member of The Sports Network mid-major All-America squad, returns after rushing for 1,503 yards and 13 touchdowns. All-NEC offensive tackle Raphael Nguti (6-6, 330) will block in the trenches. Defensive tackle Tom Pandolf and safety Dave Nicomini, a pair of first-team all-conference selections, lead a nationally-ranked defensive unit.

2008 University at Albany Football Schedule

August -- 30 (Sat.), at Massachusetts, 6:00.

September -- 6 (Sat.), Fordham, 6:00; 13 (Sat.), at Hofstra, TBA; 20 (Sat.), at New Hampshire, 12:00; 27 (Sat.), at Delaware, 6:00.

October -- 4 (Sat.), at Duquesne*, 1:00, 11 (Sat.), Central Connecticut State*, 1:00; 18 (Sat.) at Sacred Heart*, 1:00; 25 (Sat.), St. Francis, Pa.* (HC), 4:00.

November -- 1 (Sat.), Monmouth*, 1:00; 8 (Sat.), at Robert Morris*, 1:00; 15 (Sat.), Wagner*, 1:00.

*Northeast Conference Opponent (HC) - Homecoming/Family Weekend All Times Eastern