University of Albany Football Announces 2015 Schedule; Season Tickets Now On Sale - UAlbany Sports 2015

ALBANY, N.Y. -- In conjunction with National Signing Day, the University at Albany has announced the 2015 football schedule. The 12 game slate features five home contests, six road clashes, and the program’s first competition against a true Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team. The Great Danes kickoff the season in Western New York on Labor Day weekend, taking on the University at Buffalo -- UAlbany’s inaugural FBS opponent. The Bulls recorded a 5-6 mark in 2014 and 3-4 record in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). During the programs’ Division III eras, the squads met 11 times with UAlbany owning a 7-4 advantage in the series. The Great Danes won the last two meetings against the Bulls, taking a 22-21 victory at Buffalo in 1987 and a 28-20 home triumph in 1988. “We’re excited. It’s just another step in the growth of the program to be able to play our first FBS team,” said Gattuso on the UB match-up. “Playing an in-state team like that is great. I think that game is a big part of the direction we are trying to go.” In week two, UAlbany opens conference play at Bob Ford Field against the University of Rhode Island on Sept. 12. Entering the program’s third season in the CAA, the Great Danes captured its first conference victory over the Rams in 2014, winning 37-20 in Kingston. The series is currently tied, 1-1. Next, UAlbany travels to conference-foe James Madison on Sept. 19 and will look to snap a two-year drought against the Dukes. JMU edged UAlbany, 31-28, at Bob Ford Field last season. With a 9-4 overall record, James Madison finished 2014 ranked No. 18 in The Sports Network Poll and No. 19 in the FCS Coaches Poll. The Great Danes will then step out of conference for back-to-back weeks, facing former Northeast Conference rival Duquesne at home on Sept. 26 and then Holy Cross of the Patriot League in Worcester, Mass. on Oct. 3. Gattuso, a former Duquesne head coach (1993-2004), will look to improve UAlbany’s current 5-2 series advantage over the Dukes. “It’s a big game for us to win, but also for me personally it’s a really big football game,“ stated Gattuso. Meanwhile, UAlbany overcame Holy Cross, 14-13, in dramatic fashion in the 2014 season-opener and first meeting between the schools and will look to repeat the feat. “Holy Cross is a great opponent,” added Gattuso. “Saying we were very fortunate to win last year would be putting it very mildly. I’m sure they’re going to be really excited about getting us at their field and having an opportunity to get some revenge.” Facing Maine and Villanova at home on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17, the Great Danes take on CAA opponents for the rest of the slate. The meeting with Maine will mark the ninth between the squads with UAlbany owning a 5-3 lead, including last season’s 20-7 triumph in Orono. Boasting an 11-3 overall record, while making an appearance in the 2014 FCS Championship quarterfinals, Villanova ranked No. 7 in the final FCS polls of the season. The Wildcats will make their first appearance in Albany after overcoming the Danes in Villanova, 48-31, last fall. After a bye week, UAlbany will spend Halloween in Richmond and the following weekend at Delaware (Nov. 7). The Great Danes will look to capture the program’s first win over the Spiders in the third meeting between the teams. Also, trailing the all-time series 3-1, UAlbany will look to avenge back-to-back three-point losses to the Blue Hens. In the final two weeks of the season, the Great Danes host the FCS Championship semifinalist New Hampshire Wildcats on Nov. 14 and close the 2015 regular season schedule at Stony Brook on Nov. 21. UNH, the reigning CAA champions, recorded a 12-2 overall mark and perfect 8-0 record in conference play last season, while finishing the year ranked No. 3 in the national polls. Overcoming Stony Brook, 27-17, in last fall’s season finale, the Great Danes seek to a repeat their success, as they own an 11-6 overall lead in the series. “I think we’ve made great strides in fitting into the league,” said Gattuso. “With how difficult the league is the progress we made last year was very good but certainly not good enough. We’re excited about the challenge. “Every game it critical for us next year,” added Gattuso. “For us to have a winning season and to reach our goals we’re going to have to win some tough games.” Season tickets for 2015 are now on sale at UAlbanySports.com or by calling 442-DANE. 2015 Football Schedule Sept 3 or 5 at Buffalo Sept 12 Rhode Island Sept 19 at James Madison Sept 26 Duquesne Oct 3 at Holy Cross Oct 10 Maine Oct 17 Villanova Oct 24 - Bye - Oct 31 at Richmond Nov 7 at Delaware Nov 14 New Hampshire Nov 21 at Stony Brook