University of Albany FCS Football's Dave Nicomini Makes Most of Opportunity in Final Preseason Scrimmage - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Dave Nicomini, an all-conference outside linebacker, showed his appreciation for a second chance as a college football in player in the University at Albany's final intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 28 at University Field. The Great Danes, a Division I FCS program, wrapped up preseason camp and now begins preparations for the season opener at perennial power Georgia Southern on Sept. 5.

Nicomini, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound defender who most certainly will be watched by professional scouts, figured he would be a UAlbany graduate working in the real world at this point in his life. But a serious knee injury in the spring of 2008 led to surgery and ended any chance of playing last fall. Although still providing leadership as a team captain, Nicomini watched from the sidelines as his teammates captured their second consecutive Northeast Conference title.

But after going through a demanding rehabilitation, Nicomini was cleared for athletic activities in January 2009. At that moment he did not know he would be granted a sixth year by the NCAA due to medical hardship, so he joined the school's lacrosse program as a defensive midfielder and face-off specialist.

"At the very end of lacrosse season, I knew my knee would hold up," said Nicomini, who played in five games for head coach Scott Marr. "Mentally it was something I no longer had to think about and my confidence grew."

And now 15 months removed from the injury, Nicomini was all over the field in a football scrimmage. He made three solo tackles, tipped a pass and came on the blitz from the right side to knock down quarterback Vinny Esposito's attempt. He looked all of the defensive standout that has accounted for 169 tackles during his career.

"I was nervous my first (camp) practice," Nicomini stated. "It's a sport I have played my whole life. I was trying to do too much, overplaying my responsibilities, but now I am in the flow again."

Nicknamed "Nitro" by former UAlbany assistant and now University of Pittsburgh defensive back coach Jeff Hafley, Nicomini is ready to resume his role as a big-hitting defender in the Great Danes' defensive scheme.

"They say you never appreciate things until they are gone," Nicomini offers. "I have to make the most of my second opportunity. This is a second chance to play the game I love."

Paw Prints: UAlbany and Georgia Southern are each receiving votes in both the Sports Network and FCS Coaches' preseason national polls ... TB David McCarty has been named to the College Sporting News FCS Preseason All-America Team as an honorable mention selection ... McCarty is on the 2009 Walter Payton Award Watch List ... TB Tramaine Wilson, a true freshman, hauled in the longest pass play of the scrimmage, a 28-yarder from QB Dan Di Lella ... Wilson ran for 28 yards on six carries ... redshirt freshman receiver Ryan Kirchner had three receptions for 40 yards ... OLB Jon Morgan and OLB Raymond Dorcely each recovered a fumble ... CB Jean Juste broke up two passes ... freshman Allen Eggleston scored on a pair of 3-yard touchdown runs ... Ben Miseikis, another freshman tailback, rushed seven times for 33 yards ... QB Andrew Smith ran for one score in a red-zone drill and passed for another to FB Justin Petersen in an extended series.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information