UAlbany and Monmouth Square Off Today in Northeast Conference Football Showdown

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- UAlbany and Monmouth will square off for first place in the Northeast Conference standings on Saturday, Nov. 1 at University Field. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-AM).

The Hawks, who have won or shared five NEC titles in their history, are coming off a 30-20 victory over Central Connecticut State last week. RB David Sinisi, the nation’s leading rusher and second-leading scorer, ran for 194 yards and four touchdowns. QB Brett Burke, a first-team all-conference selection in his first year as a starter, has connected on 63.6 percent of his passing attempts for 1,112 yards and eight TDs. DT Kevin Walsh (6-3, 270) and CB Ayo Falae, a pair of all-league defenders, lead a unit that ranks first in the NEC in rushing yards allowed and second in scoring defense. Head coach Kevin Callahan, a former UAlbany assistant, is in his 16th season.

The Great Danes have strung together four consecutive wins, all in conference play, following last Saturday’s 27-3 triumph against Saint Francis, Pa. QB Vinny Esposito threw two first-quarter touchdowns passes in staking his team to a 21-0 advantage. Esposito became the fourth player in school annals to surpass 3,000 career passing yards. UAlbany’s David McCarty is among the nationak rushing leaders at 142.5 yards per game. ILB Justin Brancaccio (72 tackles) and DT Tom Pandolf (50 tackles) are two of the team’s top defensive players. Bob Ford leads all active FCS head coaches with 230 career victories.

UAlbany (5-3, NEC 4-0) and Monmouth (5-3, 4-0) enter their annual meeting with unbeaten conference records for the first time since 2003. Four games in the series have been decided by three points or less.