University of Albany Quarterback Vinny Esposito Named Northeast Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week - UAlbany Sports 2009

Somerset, N.J. - University at Albany's Vinny Esposito has been named the Northeast Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week in football, as announced on Monday, Oct. 19 by the conference office. Esposito's performance led his team to last Saturday's 20-17 NEC victory against Bryant.

Esposito, a senior quarterback, connected on 25 of 32 passes for a season-high 280 yards and two second-half touchdowns. He delivered a 34-yard strike to Jason Poore in a fourth-and-seven situation for a 13-9 lead with 7:55 remaining in the third quarter. In the final period, Esposito flipped a 5-yard scoring pass to Andrew Smith for an 11-point cushion. His third-down completion in a seven-play, non-scoring drive kept a series alive that effectively ran out the clock over the final three minutes. Esposito broke the school's single-game receptions record, as Joe Savino completed 24 passes against Stony Brook on Nov. 19, 1995.

A native of Demarest, N.J., Esposito became the third player in the program's history to reach the 5,000-career mark in total offense with 5,127 yards. He ranks second in both passing yards (4,893) and touchdown passes (32) on UAlbany's all-time lists.

Paw Prints: UAlbany (5-2, NEC 4-0) has set a conference record with their 17th consecutive win against league opponents ... the Great Danes have put together a five-game win streak overall, tying the third-longest mark in the program's Division I FCS history ... TB David McCarty has run for 100-plus yards in five straight games after gaining 118 on the ground last week ... McCarty, who has 24 career 100-yard games, went over the 4,000-yard plateau (4,105) as a collegian ... WR Tim Bush tied the program's FCS standard with 10 receptions (135 receiving yards) vs. Bryant ... WR Jason Poore had a career game with eight catches for 73 yards and one TD ... FS Dave Casale had a team-high eight tackles and two pass break-ups, as the UAlbany defense held Bryant to 30 net rushing yards, the lowest figure by an opponent since Nov. 4, 2006 ... head coach Bob Ford recorded his 230th career win at the school ... Miami Dolphins' head coach Tony Sparano attended the Bryant game to watch his sons, Tony and Andy, start at defensive end and offensive guard, respectively.

Courtesy: UA Sports