UAlbany Entertains Wagner Today with Chance to Wrap Up NEC Football Championship

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- UAlbany meets Northeast Conference opponent Wagner in the final regular-season football game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 15 at University Field. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. The Great Danes, who have already earned a Gridiron Classic berth, can capture the conference championship outright with a victory. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980, WOFX-AM.

Wagner (3-7, NEC 1-5) has 16 seniors returning from last year’s 7-4 squad, but key injuries and turnovers have plagued the current season. Despite those challenges, the Seahawks’ defense has been a consistent force. Wagner is ranked No. 11 among the Division I FCS national leaders in total defense (284.4 ypg) and third in passing yards allowed (127.1 pg). Defensive end Robert Brown was named to the 2007 Associated Press All-America squad and was chosen NEC preseason defensive player of the year. The Seahawks have used two quarterbacks for most of the season. Iowa transfer Adam Farnsworth has passed for 910 yards and six touchdowns. Matt Abbey, a three-year starter, has thrown for 792 yards and four scores.

UAlbany (7-3, NEC 6-0) clinched a share of the league title in last Saturday’s 41-7 victory at Robert Morris. The Great Danes extended their winning streak to six straight, the program’s second longest at the FCS level. Free safety Dave Casale, the ECAC and NEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, had two interceptions and returned one for a 23-yard score. UAlbany held their fourth consecutive opponent to less than 300 total yards. Tailback David McCarty, the nation’s third-leading rusher with 1,477 yards and eight TDs, can become the school’s all-time leader in that category against Wagner. Defensive tackle Tom Pandolf will be one of 14 seniors honored in a pre-game ceremony.