University of Albany FCS Football Receiver Tim Bush Continues to Make Most of Extended Football Life at Saturday's Scrimmage - UAlbany Sports 2009

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. - When Tim Bush left the playing field after the University at Albany's 28-0 win in the Gridiron Classic last December, he thought his college football career was complete. During the offseason, Bush was granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA due to a medical hardship. Following Saturday's first preseason scrimmage, the diminutive wide receiver is clearly taking advantage of the new-found opportunity.

"I can't picture not playing football," said Bush, who caught four passes for 51 yards and one touchdown during the scrimmage. "Two days after the season, I started the paperwork and taking the proper steps to file an appeal (for an extra year)."

Bush, who followed through with a good spring after gaining a new football life, is now ready to improve upon his numbers that made him a first-team All-Northeast Conference standout one year ago.

Senior quarterback Vinny Esposito is the glad to have back the best receiver he has ever worked with. "We have played 24 games together and have that consistency and familiarity that you can't underestimate," he said. "I am comfortable with the way he runs his routes."

The tandem looked in mid-season form, despite just one week of preseason camp, when Esposito delivered a 21-yard strike to his favorite target on the left hash. Bush capped off the nine-play scoring drive when he hauled in a play-action pass in the back of the end zone on second-and-goal from the 4-yard line.

"We have always had it (a bond) since I came here and he was the back-up quarterback," offered Bush, who originally attended Hudson Valley Community College before transferring. "When things break down he looks for me. We see the defense in the same aspect."

Paw Prints:

The Great Danes ran 77 offensive plays in a scrimmage that began at 9:15 a.m. ... the morning fog burned off and temperatures hovered in the low 80's ... QB Vinny Esposito completed 8 of 11 passes for 99 yards and one touchdown ... TB Duane Harper scored on a 1-yard run and QB Buddy Leathley reached the end zone on a 2-yard run ... OLB Dave Nicomini, who is returning after missing last season with a knee injury, made his presence felt when he came on a blitz from the right side that led to CB Daniel Avery's interception at the 40-yard line ... DE Tony Sparano had a sack, while OLB Jon Morgan and DE Wil Moushey each recovered a fumble ... FS Dave Casale, who earned All-ECAC and All-NEC honors as a junior, blocked a field goal ... WR Luke Weaver caught four passes for 44 yards ... UAlbany begins its season at Georgia Southern on Sept. 5