Northeast Conference Champion University of Albany Announces FCS Football Schedule for 2009 Season - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, March 24 the school's football schedule for the 2009 season. The Great Danes, who are coming off consecutive Northeast Conference championships, meet a group of challenging Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponents. The non-league schedule features Georgia Southern and Massachusetts, two programs that have won FCS national championships, Maine and Bryant. In addition, UAlbany battles seven NEC teams.

The Great Danes begin away from home for the ninth time in the last 11 years when they travel to Georgia Southern on Saturday, Sept. 5. The Eagles have captured six national titles and seven Southern Conference championships in their history. Georgia Southern has seven starters on offense and defense back from a club that posted a winning campaign for the 25th time in the last 27 years. UAlbany faces Massachusetts for the second year in a row in the second week. Kevin Morris, a former UAlbany assistant, is in his first season as head coach. UMass returns first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association running back Tony Nelson, who ran for 1,325 yards and 12 touchdowns on last year's 7-5 squad.

Maine comes to University Field to open the home schedule on Sept. 20. The Black Bears finished 8-5 one year ago and made their fifth NCAA postseason appearance. Maine was ranked in both FCS national top-25 polls at season's end. Head coach Jack Cosgrove, now in his 17th season, has fullback Jared Turcotte, a first-team All-CAA selection, returning. Bryant posted a 7-4 record in its first NCAA FCS season and recorded wins over three NEC opponents. The Bulldogs, who are going through a five-year NCAA reclassification period, become a full Northeast member in 2012. Running back Jerell Smith ran for 1,254 yards and six TDs last year.

Duquesne, who joined the NEC as a football-playing program last year, will be the opponent for Homecoming and Family Weekend on Oct. 10. UAlbany's Athletic Hall of Fame will also induct new members on that weekend. Sacred Heart (Sept. 26) and Robert Morris (Nov. 7) also come to the Capital Region.

Bob Ford, who is first among active FCS coaches with 234 career victories and is a three-time NEC coach of the year, begins his 37th varsity season with 48 letterwinners, including 14 starters, back from last year's team. UAlbany (9-3) won its fourth NEC championship and defeated Jacksonville in third annual Gridiron Classic. All-America tailback David McCarty rushed for a single-season record 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns. Free safety Dave Casale and inside linebacker Justin Brancaccio are among five returning first-team all-conference players. Casale had 74 tackles and seven interceptions, while Brancaccio (91 tackles) led a unit which allowed 18.2 points and 300.8 yards per game.

2009 University of Albany Football Schedule

September

5 (Sat.), at Georgia Southern, TBA
12 (Sat.), at Massachusetts, TBA
19 (Sat.), Maine, 4:00
26 (Sat.), Sacred Heart*, 4:00.

October
3 (Sat.), at Saint Francis, Pa.*, 1:00
10 (Sat.), Duquesne*, 1:00 (HC)
17 (Sat.), Bryant, 1:00
24 (Sat.), at Monmouth*, TBA
31 (Sat.), at Central Connecticut State*, 12:00.

November
7 (Sat.), Robert Morris*, 1:00
21 (Sat.), at Wagner*, TBA.

*Northeast Conference Opponent
(HC) - Homecoming/Family Weekend
All Times Eastern