UAlbany Football Meets Central Conn. State in Home Opener on Saturday at University Field

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- After five consecutive road games to begin the 2008 season, the University at Albany football team comes home to University Field to take on Central Connecticut State in a Northeast Conference matchup on Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is 1:07 p.m. The contest will be televised in the Capital Region on Time Warner Cable (TW3). Fans can also listen to the game on Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-AM).

Central Connecticut State (4-1, NEC 1-0) opened its NEC schedule with a 35-10 victory over Wagner on Oct. 4. Aubrey Norris, who threw a pair of touchdown passes last week, rotates at quarterback with junior college transfer Hunter Wanket. The Blue Devils, who are working on their fifth consecutive winning campaign, employ a run-oriented, multiple attack that is currently ninth nationally in rushing at 238.0 yards per game. Running back James Mallory is fifth among the FCS national leaders with a 147.8 average. Defensive end Ernie Greywacz (6-4, 240) earned mid-major All-America recognition as a junior. Greywacz picked off a pass when his team dismantled Delaware State, a 2007 NCAA playoff team, earlier this season.

UAlbany (2-3, NEC 1-0) defeated conference newcomer Duquesne, 33-23, in its first NEC action of the year last week. Vinny Esposito became the first quarterback to account for four touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing) in a single game since Oct. 2, 1999. His two fourth-quarter scoring passes helped his team pull away. David McCarty, who registered his second 200-yard day as a collegian on the ground against Duquesne, is the nation’s sixth-leading rusher at 142.0 yards per game. Defensive linemen Tom Pandolf (7 tackles) and Mike Kelly (7 tackles, 1.5 sacks) were active defenders.

The Great Danes are the lone NCAA Division I FBS or FCS program to play their first home game in the month of October. In contrast, Nebraska will go on the road this week for the first time after five home dates in a row to start its season.

COACHES vs. CANCER: UAlbany and the American Cancer Society have teamed to tackle cancer at Saturday's football home opener. Raffle tickets are being sold for two autographed Giants’ footballs and two tickets to the UAlbany-Siena basketball game with proceeds going to this cause. Donations and pledges are also being accepted. For UAlbany football tickets call, 518-442-4683.