UAlbany FCS Football Program Announces 2011 Schedule; Colgate, Maine & Columbia on September Slate

Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Tuesday, March 29 the school's football schedule for the 2011 season. The Great Danes, who are coming off a school-record fifth consecutive winning campaign, meet Colgate, Maine and Columbia as part of a challenging non-league Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) slate. UAlbany faces seven Northeast Conference opponents, including defending champion Robert Morris at University Field.

The Great Danes begin away from home for the 11th time in the last 13 years when they travel to Colgate on Saturday, Sept. 3. The Raiders have won seven or more games in each of the last four seasons and have 14 starters returning from last year's 7-4 squad. Running back Nick Eachus rushed for 1,871 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior. He was a consensus first-team All-American and the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year.

Maine comes to University Field to open the home schedule on Sept. 17 at 6:00 p.m. The Black Bears have made five NCAA FCS postseason appearances and most recently qualified in 2008. Head coach Jack Cosgrove, who is in his 19th season, has five All-Colonial Athletic Association players returning. Jerron McMillan, a senior safety, was a second-team All-CAA selection with 58 tackles and eight passes defended.

UAlbany meets an Ivy League program for the second consecutive year. The Great Danes tangle with Columbia for the first time in the Lions' home opener on Sept. 24 at 12:30 p.m. Sean Brackett became the first Columbia quarterback since 1994 to earn all-league recognition. He passed for 2,072 yards and 19 touchdowns and was voted to the first team. UAlbany has previously met Ivy League members Yale, Cornell and Brown.

Robert Morris, who earned the NEC's first automatic berth to the NCAA FCS playoffs last season, will be the opponent for Homecoming and Fall Festival Weekend on Oct. 15. Head coach Joe Walton, the former New York Jets' mentor, led the Colonials to last year's conference championship. Duquesne (Oct. 8), Bryant (Nov. 5) and Sacred Heart (Nov. 19) also come to the Capital Region. All kickoffs in October and November are 1:00 p.m.

Bob Ford, who is first among active FCS coaches with 247 career victories and has led the program to four NEC championships, begins his 39th varsity season. He has 51 letterwinners, including 14 starters, back from last year's team. Defensive end Eddie Delaney, a two-time all-conference selection, and tailback Dillon Romain, the 2010 NEC Offensive Rookie of the Year, are among the returnees.

Paw Prints: UAlbany is in its second week of spring practice and will play its annual spring game on Saturday, April 9 at 3:00 p.m. ... UAlbany and Colgate are meeting for the second time on the gridiron ... the Raiders posted a 13-11 win in the 2007 season opener ... the Great Danes and Maine are playing for the third consecutive year ... UAlbany alumni Greg Sigler (linebackers) and Matt Hamme (defensive backs) are assistant coaches on the Columbia staff ... former UAlbany all-conference defensive end Tony Sparano was recently hired as the Miami Dolphins' offensive quality control coach ... former UAlbany assistant Pete Lembo (1992-93) has taken over the head coaching duties at Ball State, of the Mid-American Conference ... Bob Ford is fourth among the winningest FCS head coaches in career victories ... former Grambling coach Eddie Robinson is first on the list.

2011 University at Albany Football Schedule

September -- 3 (Sat.), at Colgate, 6:00; 17 (Sat.), Maine, 6:00; 24 (Sat.), at Columbia, 12:30.

October -- 1 (Sat.), at Saint Francis, Pa.*, 1:00; 8 (Sat.), Duquesne*, 1:00; 15 (Sat.), Robert Morris* (HC), 1:00; 22 (Sat.), at Central Connecticut State*, 12:00; 29 (Sat.), at Wagner*, 1:00.

November -- 5 (Sat.), Bryant*, 1:00; 12 (Sat), at Monmouth*, 12:00; 19 (Sat.), Sacred Heart*, 1:00.

*Northeast Conference Opponent (HC) - Homecoming/Fall Festival Weekend All Times Eastern


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information