University of Albany To Play Maine, Foe Of Historic 1977 Win - UAlbany Sports 2009

Larry Leibowitz makes his living with teeth these days as a dentist in Virginia.

However, at his home in Virginia Beach, Leibowitz keeps a scrapbook and old film that recall a time when he was pretty good with his foot, as well.

Leibowitz kicked a 19-yard field goal as time expired on Oct. 29, 1977 to give the University at Albany -- then a Division III program known as Albany State -- a shocking 42-39 win over Division II Maine before 4,311 fans in Orono.

"I was mobbed," Leibowitz, 53, recalled of the celebration. "It's one of those classic scenes. You're on the bottom of the pile. It was great."

Bob Ford, UAlbany's coach now and then, called it the program's second-biggest win in his 37 varsity seasons.

"It was just a phenomenal football win for us," Ford said. "It probably was the landmark win until we nailed Delaware down there (in 2006)."

The Great Danes (0-2) will try to pull off another upset when Maine (2-0), ranked 19th in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision, visits University Field on Saturday at 4 p.m.

At least this UAlbany team plays on the same level as Maine, although the Great Danes offer 32 scholarships compared to the 63 of Maine, a member of the Colonial Athletic Association.

It was different back in 1977.

"We didn't even know what a scholarship looked like back then," Ford said.

Current Maine coach Jack Cosgrove, who started at quarterback in that game, said he doesn't recall disrespecting UAlbany.

"I don't even know if we knew hey were Division III," Cosgrove said. "We weren't very good, anyway."

Coached by Jack Bicknell, who went on to Boston College, Maine finished 3-7 that season and gave only about 10 scholarships, according to Cosgrove. Meanwhile, UAlbany went 9-2 and reached the Division III playoffs.

The Great Danes got a $6,000 guarantee, meager by today's standards, to travel to Orono. When they got off the bus, Ford heard people in the stands say, "Where are they from?"

They knew 60 minutes later, when UAlbany's wishbone offense was done tearing Maine apart. The game was tied at 39 when UAlbany sophomore linebacker Don Hyde, making his first career start, intercepted a Cosgrove pass and returned it 32 yards to the Maine 40 with 2:25 left.

Quarterback Brad Aldrich led the Great Danes to the Maine 5. After two offsides penalties on Maine, Leibowitz drilled the short field goal for the win.

He still has the newspaper clippings and game film. He's shown them to his sons, ages 18 and 22.

"They said, 'Dad, you did pretty good,' " Leibowitz said.

At a glance

UAlbany (0-2) vs. Maine (2-0)
When: Saturday, 4 p.m.
Where: University Field, Albany
TV/radio: TW-3, WOFX (980AM)

Courtesy: Mark Singelais