University of Albany 2009 FCS Football Begins Schedule with Perennial Power Georgia Southern on Saturday - UAlbany Sports 2009

Statesboro, Ga. - UAlbany begins its 2009 football schedule against Georgia Southern, one of the best NCAA Division I FCS programs at collecting hardware with six national championships and eight Southern Conference titles. Kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 5 is 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-AM), beginning with the pre-game show. Rodger Wyland will provide the play-by-play from Paulson Stadium, an 18,000-seat facility.

The Eagles fielded one of the youngest FCS squads in the nation last season. The results were a 6-5 record that included three losses by a combined four points and victories in three of four overtime decisions. Quarterback Lee Chapple finished the 2008 campaign as the starter. He threw for 787 yards and five touchdowns. Adam Urbano is the top returning rusher with 304 yards and seven TDs. GSU has a veteran offensive line that is led by right tackle Cole Fountain, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound athlete.

Cornerback Ronnie Wiggins is among seven starters returning on defense. Wiggins, who has a 40-inch vertical leap, totaled 39 tackles and three interceptions. Adrian Mora, a preseason honorable mention All-America placekicker, made 10 of 12 field goals, including three 40-plus yarders, last year.

Bob Ford, who leads all active FCS head coaches with 234 career victories, has 14 starters back from a UAlbany squad that won its second consecutive Northeast Conference championship and became the first NEC team to win the Gridiron Classic. Walter Payton Award candidate David McCarty rushed for 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. Quarterback Vinny Esposito passed for 1,934 yards and 13 scores, plus ran for 10 TDs. All-NEC wide receiver Tim Bush broke the school's single-season receptions mark.

Dave Casale, a first-team All-ECAC and All-NEC free safety, leads a defense that ranked first in the league in points allowed and rushing yards. All-NEC inside linebacker Justin Brancaccio (91 tackles) and outside linebacker Dave Nicomini, who was granted an extra year by the NCAA due to a medical hardship, make the second level strong.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information