UAlbany Football Meets National Runner-Up Delaware Before Sold-Out Crowd Tonight

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Newark, Del. – The Great Danes continue their run of four consecutive Colonial Athletic Association opponents to begin the 2008 season with a trip to nationally-ranked Delaware, who reached last year’s NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision championship game. The game is sold out at the 22,000-seat Delaware Stadium. Kickoff is 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-AM). Rodger Wyland and Jon Phelps will be on the air with the pre-game show at 5:45 p.m.

The Blue Hens, who are ranked No. 12 in the FCS Coaches’ Poll and No. 17 by Sports Network, have won six national titles and made 19 NCAA appearances in their storied football history. Delaware is off to a 1-2 start, but that mark includes losses to FBS opponent Maryland (14-7) and an FCS top-25 program in Furman (23-21). Head coach K.C. Keeler has one of the top defensive units in the nation. Defensive end Matt Marcorelle is a candidate for the Buck Buchanan Award as the nation’s top FCS defender. Linebacker Erik Johnson (6-2, 230) is working his way up the program’s all-time tackles chart. Aaron Love, a dangerous return specialist, leads a veteran cast of wide receivers, while running back Johnathon Smith (6-3, 230) has rushed for five touchdowns over the last two games. Ohio State transfer Robby Schoenhoft has taken over the quarterback duties.

UAlbany (1-2) is coming off a 32-24 defeat at No. 10 New Hampshire. Quarterback Vinny Esposito had his best day as a collegian by passing for 283 yards and one touchdown and scoring on a 11-yard run. David McCarty extended his streak of 100-yards rushing games. McCarty hit the century mark for the ninth straight time with 130 yards and one TD on the ground. Safety Dave West, who played in his team’s 17-10 upset of Delaware two years ago, had nine tackles against UNH last week. The Great Danes are playing their third national top-20 team this season.