University of Albany Tailback David McCarty Named to Sports Network All-America Football Third Team - UAlbany Sports

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Philadelphia, Pa. – University at Albany’s David McCarty has been named to the 2008 Sports Network Division I FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) All-America Team, as announced by the national wire service on Tuesday, Jan. 6. McCarty, a junior tailback, was voted to the third team, while offensive tackle Raphael Nguti and defensive tackle Tom Pandolf were honorable mention selections.

McCarty, the nation’s second-leading rusher at 154.3 yards per game, shattered the school’s single-season records for rushing yards (1,852) and all-purpose yards (2,208). He scored 17 touchdowns, including 13 on the ground, and broke the program’s FCS single-game standard with 271 rushing yards and four TDs in a 28-0 victory over Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic. A first-team All-Northeast Conference selection, McCarty ran for 100 or more yards in 11 of 12 games played this season. He has scored at least one touchdown in 20 consecutive contests.

McCarty, who becomes the sixth UAlbany player to be chosen to a Sports Network, Associated Press or AFCA All-America football squad, will enter his senior campaign as the school’s all-time leader in rushing yards (3,353), all-purpose yards (3,979) and 100-yard rushing games (19). He was an honorable mention All-American last year.

Nguti, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound offensive tackle, was voted to this second All-America squad this season. He was picked to the AFCA (American Football Coaches Association) first team in December. Nguti moved from right tackle to left tackle this year and led an offense that ranked 16th nationally in rushing (200.6 ypg) and first in the conference in total offense (363.2 ypg). A two-time first-team All-NEC standout from Rochester, N.Y., Nguti has made 24 consecutive starts over the last two seasons.

A native of Holbrook, N.Y., Pandolf was a member of the All-NEC first team for the second year in a row as a defensive tackle. He totaled 66 tackles, including 6.5 hits for a loss and 2.5 sacks, in 12 starting assignments. He added four pass deflections, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Pandolf led a defensive unit that held each of its final six opponents of the season under 300 total yards. UAlbany finished 13th among the FCS leaders in points allowed (18.2 ppg) and 18th in total yards (300.8 ypg).

UAlbany (9-3) captured its second consecutive Northeast Conference championship by becoming the second team in conference history to go undefeated against league opponents in back-to-back seasons. The Great Danes capped their best campaign at the FCS Division I level by blanking Pioneer Football League champion Jacksonville in the Gridiron Classic.

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UAlbany’s Division I FCS Football All-Americans

(members of Associated Press, AFCA or Sports Network All-America teams)

2008: Raphael Nguti (AFCA 1st team), David McCarty (Sports Network 3rd team)

2006: Colin Disch (AFCA 1st team)

2004: Geir Gudmundsen (AFCA 1st team)

2003: Gary Jones (AP 3rd team)

2002: Gary Jones (AP 2nd team)

2000: OT J.T. Herfurth (AP 1st team, AFCA 1st team)