University of Albany's McCarty & Richards Among 10 UAlbany Players on All-Northeast Conference Football Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Somerset, N.J. - University at Albany's David McCarty and Kevin Richards lead a group of ten players who have been chosen to the 2009 All-Northeast Conference Football Team, as announced on Monday, Nov. 30 by the conference office. The Great Danes, who had six players on the first team, finished with a 7-4 record and placed second in the league standings.

McCarty, a senior tailback, and Richards, a senior center, each made his third appearance on the All-NEC squad. McCarty, a second-team selection who ran for nine touchdowns, was plagued by injuries throughout the season, but still ranked 26th nationally among the NCAA Division I FCS rushing leaders at 84.9 yards per game. He ended his career as the program's all-time leader in rushing yards (4,287), all-purpose running yards (4,976) and 100-yard rushing games (24). Richards moved up to the all-conference first team after being voted to the second team the last two seasons. Richards, who appeared in 40 career games, blocked for an offensive unit that was balanced in rushing (159.6 ypg) and passing (181.7 ypg).

Inside linebacker Justin Brancaccio, free safety Dave Casale and wide receiver Tim Bush each made his second consecutive appearance on the All-NEC first team. Brancaccio led the UAlbany in tackles with 94, including 38 unassisted, and spearheaded a defense that was 26th among the FCS national leaders in points allowed (19.4 ppg) and 27th in rushing defense (118.3 ypg). The senior is eighth on the school's career tackles chart with 261.

Bush became the first Great Dane to catch 60 or more passes in back-to-back seasons. He had 63 catches for 861 yards and three touchdowns. He shattered the program's career standard with 147 receptions and is third all-time with 1,880 receiving yards. Casale accounted for 77 tackles, two interceptions, two fumble recoveries, three forced fumbles and six pass break-ups. He completed his collegiate career tied for sixth in interceptions (11) and 18th in tackles (224) among UAlbany's all-time leaders.

Dave Nicomini, a senior outside linebacker, earned first-team All-NEC recognition for the second time. He missed all of the 2008 season after suffering a major knee injury the previous spring. After receiving a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA due to medical hardship, Nicomini returned to his all-league form from two years ago with 73 tackles and six pass break-ups. He led the Great Danes in tackles for a loss (12.0) and sacks (4.0). Nicomini is 12th among the program's career tackles leaders with 242.

Senior tailback Justin Gannon is on the all-league second team for the second year in a row as a return specialist. He led the team in all-purpose yards at 100.9 per game and is 12th nationally in punt returns with a 12.8 average. Gannon was second on the team in rushing with 471 yards and scored five touchdowns. He is sixth in career all-purpose yards at the school with 2,859.

Trevor Anderson, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound junior, defensive end Tony Sparano and placekicker Herb Glass each receives all-conference honors for the first time. Anderson, a first-team defensive tackle, totaled 36 tackles with 5.5 hits for a loss, 3.0 sacks and two pass deflections. He has 101 tackles and 8.5 sacks entering his senior campaign. Sparano, a second-team selection, had 33 tackles, 3.0 sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Glass was named to the second team after leading UAlbany in scoring with 61 points. He made 12-of-18 field goals and 25-of-27 point-after attempts. His field goal total matched the third-best single-season mark in school history.

Paw Prints: UAlbany had 10 or more all-conference selections for the third straight season ... the Great Danes have had 10-plus all-league players in six of their 11 years as a Northeast Conference member ... TB David McCarty and C Kevin Richards are among a group of 12 Great Danes to have earned All-NEC honors three or more times in a career ... ILB Colin Disch, OT Geir Gudmundsen and FS Samson Brown, who coaches the tight ends as a member of Bob Ford's current staff, are the only four-time all-conference selections.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information