University of Albany FCS Football Opens Preseason Practice - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- One of the hottest and most humid days during an unseasonably rainy summer greeted the University at Albany football team as preseason camp opened on Monday, Aug. 10 with an afternoon practice. The Great Danes began their first workout with some special teams work before breaking up into offensive and defensive drills throughout the two-hour session in temperatures that hovered around the 87-degree mark.

Kevin Richards, a two-time All-Northeast Conference center, is hoping to take the heat off some of the younger offensive linemen, as that unit goes through a transformation after having graduated an All-America left tackle and an All-ECAC standout at right tackle. "The offensive line sets the tone in the first week," he says. "We graduated some big-time players, but we have a chance to create an identity."

Richards, a 6-foot-2, 270-pounder from Clifton Park, N.Y., is a grizzly veteran as a fifth-year senior when it comes to the preseason. "You look around and you know the young guys have long way to go," he offers. "As a senior, it's about helping them with technique. It's about feet and hands and learning terminology. The plays are comparatively easy when you are talking about getting the little things down right."

The little things have helped the Great Danes capture two consecutive NEC championships and a pair of unbeaten campaigns against conference opposition. Richards is hoping his team stays hot.
Paw Prints: Head coach Bob Ford begins his 37th varsity campaign at UAlbany ... he has a 225-143 career record at the school ... Ford offered this about the first day, "I always have mixed emotions. I can't wait to see the kids, but then I wonder what happened to the summer. It is imperative that we forget about the past. It appears we have balance on both sides of the football." ... UAlbany's season finale at Wagner on Saturday, Nov. 21 will be televised as part of the Northeast Conference package, and will air on Fox College Sports and Time Warner Albany at 1:00 p.m. Eastern ... Paul Dottino and Dave Popkin will handle the play-by-play coverage.