UAlbany Football Finishes Preseason Camp with Friday Scrimmage at University Field

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Justin Gannon has never gone through a preseason at the collegiate level without an injury. But when the University at Albany football team wrapped up its summer camp with an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 22 at University Field, the junior tailback showed he could shake off his recent ailments with a strong effort.

Gannon, who plays behind standout tailback David McCarty, rushed 11 times for 62 yards and broke off a nifty 34-yard scamper as UAlbany ran nearly 100 plays in preparation for next weekend’s opener.

Gannon and classmate Colin Simmons, who also picked up 62 yards on the ground in the preseason tune-up, know they are key figures in UAlbany’s attack. Both juniors are small in stature, but fierce on their feet.

“Anything can happen,” explained Gannon, a 5-foot-6, 175-pounder who missed last Saturday’s scrimmage with a thigh contusion. “I think we have three good running backs and are comfortable with each other. Dave’s bigger and is more of a downhill runner, someone who can run over people. I have to rely on speed and be quick getting through the hole.”

The Great Danes will need more than one offensive weapon this season with the toughest schedule in the program’s history just ahead. Gannon, who was third on the team in rushing (273 yards) and all-purpose yards (551) last year, is expected to be one of the contributors.

“I just have to give 100 percent in practice and compete every day,” he stated. “I can never let up.”

The Great Danes, who won last year’s Northeast Conference championship, are off on Saturday, but return to the practice field the following day as they ready themselves for nationally-ranked Massachusetts.



Football Notes: UAlbany’s Emerson Kinsey looked in good form from his outside linebacker position with one sack and one pass break-up during Friday’s scrimmage ... quarterback Frank Blasinsky threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to fullback Chris Kenneally ... the Great Danes will play Massachusetts, ranked No. 5 nationally in both the FCS Coaches’ and Sports Network polls, in the season opener on Saturday, Aug. 30 ... Fox Sports Radio 980 AM will air the game in the Capital Region ... game time is 6:00 p.m. ... UAlbany has three players in NFL training camps, with cornerback Rashad Barksdale (Kansas City), outside linebacker Kurt Campbell (Tennessee) and defensive end Andre Coleman (San Diego) ... Barksdale’s Chiefs travel to the Miami Dolphins for their third preseason game on Saturday evening ... the Dolphins are led by first-year head coach Tony Sparano, whose sons, Tony (defensive end) and Andy (center) are members of the UAlbany football team ...