Football Meets 20th-Ranked Maine in Great Danes' Home Opener on Saturday at University Field

Albany, N.Y. - UAlbany will meet its second consecutive national top-20 opponent when Maine comes to University Field for the Great Danes' home opener on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is 4:07 p.m. The game will be televised in the Capital Region and parts of Maine on Time Warner Cable (TW3). Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980, WOFX-AM. Tickets are available by contacting the UAlbany Ticket Office, 518-442-4683.

The Black Bears are currently No. 20 in the Sports Network poll and No. 19 in the FCS Coaches' rankings. Head coach Jack Cosgrove led the program to the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs and an 8-5 record last year. Maine (2-0) has won eight of its last nine regular-season games.

Mike Brusko and Warren Smith appear to be involved in a two-quarterback system. Brusko, a starting wide receiver last season before taking over under center, passed for 12 touchdowns and added four scores on the ground in 2008. Smith, who transferred from Iona College, threw for 145 yards and one TD in last Saturday's 17-7 win at Northeastern to begin Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) play. All-America fullback Jared Turcotte, who missed the opening two games with a groin injury, should be ready for his first action.

Brandon McLaughlin (6-3, 240) moved from strong safety to linebacker last spring. He had a career-high 13 tackles in his team's overtime victory against St. Cloud State in the opener. DE Jordan Stevens (6-2, 251) is the top returning leader in tackles for a loss and sacks. FS Trevor Coston has two interceptions this season.

The Great Danes are looking to break through into the win column before Northeast Conference play starts next weekend. UAlbany (0-2) is coming off a last-minute defeat at Georgia Southern and a loss to No. 17 Massachusetts. The Great Danes are hosting a national top-25 program for the first time in two years. ILB Justin Brancaccio (20 tackles) and FS Dave Casale (16 tackles, 1 interception) lead the defense. Each player earned first-team All-NEC recognition one year ago. Senior tailback Justin Gannon accounted for 129 all-purpose yards, including 61 on the ground, against UMass. Gannon has picked up his pace with All-America tailback David McCarty not at full strength due to injuries throughout the preseason and opening two games.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information