University of Albany FCS Football's QB Dan Di Lella Passes & Runs in Duquesne Victory; Bob Ford Records 250th Career Win - UAlbany Sports 2011

Albany, N.Y. - Quarterback Dan Di Lella passed for two touchdowns and added a career-high 90 rushing yards in leading UAlbany to a 38-10 Northeast Conference victory over Duquesne on Saturday, Oct. 8 at University Field. UAlbany's Bob Ford recorded his 250th career win at the collegiate level, the winningest active coach on the Division I FCS level.

The Great Danes jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the opening 12 minutes of play. Andrew Smith, a junior tailback who ran for 101 yards on 23 carries, did the bulk of the work on his team's first possession and capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Free safety Justin Hassan intercepted Duquesne quarterback Sean Patterson's first pass of the game in the left flat to set up the following score. Di Lella completed all three passes on the short drive, including a one-yard toss to tight end Paul Booker for a 14-0 advantage.

After UAlbany (3-2, NEC 2-0) forced a three-and-out, the Great Danes went 82 yards in 10 plays to the end zone. Di Lella used his legs to help the offense overcome a holding call by running for 14 and 18 yards on consecutive plays. Dillon Romain capped the sequence with a one-yard blast over the right side.

Duquesne (4-2, NEC 2-1) trailed 24-0 at halftime, but tried to claw its back into the contest with a 10-point third quarter. Charlie Leventry booted a 41-yard field early in the period. Patterson later hooked up with wide receiver Connor Dixon on a 35-yard touchdown pass in a third-and-one situation.

Romain's 43-yard return with the subsequent kickoff sparked an eight-play drive from midfield. On fourth-and-six at the Dukes' 35, Smith took a direct snap on a faked punt for 10 yards and a first down. Romain, a sophomore tailback, followed with a 16-yard burst, before Di Lella threw an 8-yard scoring pass to Cole King on the first play of the fourth quarter and a 31-10 cushion.

"I felt someone jump on my back and I knew I had to get their now (to the first down)," explained Smith about the faked punt. "This was a championship-type game. Some people were picking them to go to the FCS playoffs. We jumped on them quick and it was a statement win."

The Great Danes' forced five turnovers on the day, including four interceptions. Cornerback Leon Saddler picked off a Patterson pass that led to final touchdown. Reserve quarterback Buddy Leathley reached paydirt on a one-yard sneak to cap a nine-play series with 2:44 remaining.

"The UAlbany defense has been No. 1 (in our conference) in recent years and we are trying to get back to that spot," said senior defensive tackle Zach Gallo, who had five tackles, forced a fumble and stopped a fourth-down run in his own territory during the second quarter. "They are one of top offenses in the nation and we knew what we wanted to do. The seniors told everyone that great teams finish games."

Patterson completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 144 yards for the Dukes, who entered the contest with a four-game win streak. Larry McCoy, the nation's third-leading rusher, was limited to 75 yards on 20 carries and his team mustered just nine first downs. Di Lella was 19-of-25 through the air for 176 yards.

"It's a combination of a great staff and great young people who believe in what you are doing," said Ford about his 250th win. "There were moments today where we did all the right things. We ran consistently and at times the defense was phenomenal."

Paw Prints: UAlbany's Bob Ford is in his 43rd season as a college head coach and has a 250-176-1 career record ... the Great Danes rushed for more than 300 yards (301) for the first time since the 2008 Gridiron Classic against Jacksonville ... TB Andrew Smith has run for 100-plus yards in three consecutive games ... PK Herb Glass became the fourth UAlbany player to score 200 or more career points (202) ... Duquesne's offense was among the Division I FCS leaders in scoring (33.8 ppg) and total yards (470.8 pg) entering the contest ... DE Marc Wargo (hand), TB Dillon Romain (shoulder), FS Justinian Mason (concussion) and DE Eddie Delaney (hip) all returned to the field after missing time with injuries ... Romain accounted for a season-high 104 all-purpose yards.