University of Albany Football Program Conducts First Preseason Practice in Full Pads

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Head coach Bob Ford and the University at Albany football program ushered in the first day of practice in full pads with the spirited “Oklahoma” drill on Friday, Aug. 8. The Great Danes, who won last year’s Northeast Conference championship, worked out for more than two hours on the campus’ Dutch Quad intramural field.

The Oklahoma drill was designed by legendary college football coach Bud Wilkinson, who guided the Sooners’ program from 1947-63. Wilkinson’s drill has become a tradition at football practices across the country.

UAlbany’s Ford employs a three-on-three system that places the players in a 10-yard box as a running back tries to sprint through open space to a goal line marked by cones. The full-contact session pits offensive linemen against defensive linemen or tight ends against linebackers in a physical football tackling drill that tests competitiveness and toughness.
“It’s exciting for the players,” said Ford, whose team opens its schedule against Massachusetts later this month. “You get to evaluate a lot of people in a relatively safe environment. You learn so much about a person. If you are an offensive lineman, are you able stay on your feet, come off the ball and move on a snap count. A defensive lineman has to move on movement, not on cadence. He teaches him to pursue and come off the block.”

The helmet bashing and pad popping drill provides an early glimpse of which players will have an impact on the 2008 schedule. UAlbany’s roster will have to be ready for plenty of physical football with likes of Delaware and New Hampshire on this year’s schedule. The first week of preseason training camp comes to close on Saturday before the players get a welcomed day off.

Defending NEC Champion UAlbany Begins Spring Football Practice on Sunday, March 30

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – Head coach Bob Ford and the University at Albany football team will begin defense of their 2007 Northeast Conference championship when spring practice begins on Sunday, March 30. The Great Danes will conduct 15 NCAA-allowed spring workouts and will use both Alumni Turf Field (artificial) and Mara-Tisch Field (natural) as practice sites. The scheduled dates are: March 30 and 31 and April, 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 16, 18, 21, 23, 25 and 26.


2008 Spring Preview

UAlbany won its third Northeast Conference title in 2007 by becoming the fifth team in league history to go undefeated in conference play. The Great Danes will have to work even harder to repeat with a challenging non-league schedule and the addition of Duquesne as an NEC member.

Head coach Bob Ford has 48 letterwinners, including 12 starters, returning from a squad that finished with an 8-4 record. Spring practice will once again give the coaching staff an opportunity to work on all three phases of the game and evaluate personnel.

"On defense, we have to improve in the red zone," offers Ford, who has a 225-162-1 career record in 39 varsity seasons at the collegiate level. "It's a matter of tightening things up and being more aggressive in our approach. These practices will also allow us to identify the pass rushers and swing people on the defensive line."

Ford continues, "Certain elements of our run offense need to be established, and we have to become consistent in the three-step pass game. We want to review our punt returners and long snappers on special teams."

OFFENSE: Tailback David McCarty leads an offensive unit that ranked 20th nationally in rushing at nearly 209 yards per game. McCarty, who was named to the Sports Network All-America squad, ran for 1,503 yards, the third-highest single-season total in team history. McCarty grinded out eight 100-yard efforts, including a career-best 247 yards in a championship-clinching win against Central Connecticut State. Justin Gannon and Colin Simmons, a pair of juniors, rushed for 250-plus yards last season.

Quarterback Vinny Esposito, like McCarthy, made the most of his first season as a starter. He recorded the second-best single-season passing total in school annals with 1,810 yards. He threw 12 scoring passes and accounted for 1,946 yards in total offense. Frank Blasinsky, Dan Di Lella and Mike Tracy will also get plenty of work during spring drills.

The Great Danes can build around three all-conference offensive linemen, but will have to replace both starting guards. Raphael Nguti (6-6, 330) earned first-team All-NEC recognition at right tackle. Center Kevin Richards (6-2, 280) and left tackle Justin Tougas (6-6, 308) were named to the all-league second team.

UAlbany's starting receivers were seniors, but the rotation allowed for several players to be involved one year ago. Daniel Bocanegra, a converted quarterback, hauled in 26 passes for 316 yards. Tim Bush had 17 receptions for 225 yards and two TDs. In addition, the Great Danes have two tight ends in Dan Archer (7 catches) and Marcus Miles (10 catches) who have the ability to both block and become factors in the passing attack.

DEFENSE: The Great Danes featured a talented senior class on the defensive line. The unit helped the defense rank 17th in points allowed among the NCAA leaders. In fact, all three starters were members of the all-conference first or second teams.

The good news centers around defensive tackle Tom Pandolf (6-0, 260), a first-team All-NEC standout. Pandolf had his most productive campaign with 37 tackles and 3.0 sacks. Sophomore Trevor Anderson (6-2, 265, Cobleskill-Richmondville) also emerged as the season progressed and finished with 28 tackles, including seven for a loss. Mike Kelly and Tony Sparano, who had 10 tackles apiece, rotated at the defensive end positions.

At inside linebacker, UAlbany's all-time tackles leader is now a professional in Germany. Justin Brancaccio (6-0, 220) moved into the starting lineup and tied for second on the team with 63 tackles, including 6.5 for losses, last season. Mark Peretore, a fifth-year senior, has also been a starter during his career. He had 47 tackles in 2007. Chris Simpson (14 tackles) will also see playing time.

Emerson Kinsey (6-1, 215) worked at one of the outside linebacker spots, where he totaled 29 tackles, 3.5 sacks and recovered two fumbles. Dave Nicomini (6-3, 230) can float between the linebacker and safety positions. He was second on the squad with 63 tackles. A solid performer, Nicomini had six or more hits vs. six opponents.

UAlbany's secondary returns intact. Dave Casale had 56 tackles and two interceptions in his first year at free safety. Cornerbacks Jean Juste (34 tackles, 4 PBUs) and L.B. McCloskey (38 tackles, 3 INTs) were sound in their new roles. Safety Dave West and cornerback Ross Bertrand (31 tackles, 3 PBUs) showed great improvement. West, a second-team All-NEC selection, had 60 tackles, five pass deflections and two interceptions.

KICKING GAME: Punter Chris Lynch set the program's single-season record by averaging 40.5 yards per attempt. Lynch and Herb Glass are candidates for the place-kicking duties.

UAlbany Football Favored to Win Conference Title; Four Players on Preseason All-NEC Team

Courtesy: UAlbany Athletics

Somerset, N.J. – According to a preseason poll of Northeast Conference head coaches, UAlbany has been established as the favorite to capture the 2007 NEC Football Championship. The Great Danes, who tied for second place in last year’s standings, received three first-place votes. Monmouth, the defending NEC champion, also earned three first-place votes and was picked second in the poll.

This year’s NEC champion will meet the winner of the Pioneer Football League in the second annual Gridiron Classic, an exempted postseason football game that takes place on Saturday, Dec. 1. The PFL champion will host the 2007 event.

“The voting represents a respect for the program, our defensive unit, and a pair of proven kicking specialists,” said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, who has 217 career victories on the collegiate level. “It’s the same story each year, but we need to stay relatively injury-free, reduce penalties, and improve our takeaway margin.”

The Great Danes, who posted a 7-4 record one year ago, are coming off their best defensive campaign since moving to the Division I FCS level. UAlbany ranked among the top-five nationally in three categories, including points allowed (13.0 pg) and total defense at 240.8 yards per game. All-America linebacker Colin Disch and All-NEC defensive tackle Michael Dungey are among eleven returning starters. Sophomore Frank Blasinsky has been installed as the No. 1 quarterback, while offensive guard Sam Pagano earned All-NEC honors. Placekicker Jason Fralicker booted a school-record 13 field goals and all-league specialist Chris Lynch averaged nearly 39 yards per punt.

2007 Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll

1. UAlbany (3), 2. Monmouth (3), T3. Central Connecticut State, T3. Robert Morris (1), 5. Wagner, T6. Sacred Heart, T6. Saint Francis, Pa. ( ) – first-place votes

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Somerset, N.J. – The Northeast Conference announced its 2007 preseason all-conference football team on Tuesday, Aug. 14. UAlbany had four players voted to the squad by the league’s head coaches.

Colin Disch, the 2005 and 2006 NEC Defensive Player of the Year, was named to last year’s American Football Coaches Association Division I FCS All-America squad. Disch, a senior inside linebacker who was also chosen as the Football Gazette FCS Mid-Major Linebacker of the Year, totaled 103 tackles, including 11 for a loss. He is currently third on school’s all-time tackles list with 346 and made double-figure hits in 21 career games.

Michael Dungey, a 6-foot-2, 275-pound defensive tackle, earned all-conference recognition for the second straight season. He had 34 tackles, eight hits for a loss and two sacks as a junior. A mid-major All-American and All-Northeast Region standout, Dungey led a defensive unit that ranked fifth nationally in rushing yards allowed at 90.2 per game.

Sam Pagano, a two-time All-NEC left guard, has appeared in 29 career games on UAlbany’s offensive line. He paved the way for an offense that averaged 296.0 total yards and 193.7 rushing yards against conference opponents. Lynch, a first-team mid-major All-American, averaged 38.8 yards per punt in 2006. He was selected to the all-conference first team. Lynch had five punts of 50-plus yards and placed 16 kicks inside the 20-yard line with five for touchbacks.

University at Albany Football Begins 2007 Preseason Practice on Monday, Aug. 6

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – The University at Albany football program begins preseason camp on Monday, August 6 with an afternoon workout, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. The Great Danes will conduct their preseason practices on the campus’ Dutch Quad intramural fields. UAlbany opens its 35th varsity campaign against Colgate on Saturday, September 1 in Hamilton, N.Y. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. ET.

2007 SEASON PREVIEW
UAlbany made progress by recording a pair of top-25 wins and finishing in a tie for second in the Northeast Conference standings last season. But now the Great Danes want more, including a championship, as they enter their ninth season at the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) level.

"We should have a great defensive unit and a solid kicking game," explains UAlbany's Bob Ford, who is second among active FCS-I head coaches with 217 career victories. "We have veteran personnel at every spot and enough talent to be considered in the top echelon of the conference."

Ford continues, "The offensive line has a strong nucleus and the tight end situation is upbeat. We have a stable of running backs with a decent corps of wide receivers."

UAlbany has 41 letterwinners, including 11 starters, back from a team that produced a 7-4 record. The Great Danes have reached the seven-win mark five times as an FCS program.

"We certainly need to be more consistent on offense and reduce our penalties and turnovers," Ford evaluates. "Our quarterbacks had a good spring but still need to develop and take charge. We also have an untested group of cornerbacks."

UAlbany will again compete against a formidable list of non-conference opponents in preparation for the NEC season. A trip to perennial national power Montana and dates with Colgate, Hofstra and Fordham fill out the month of September.


OFFENSE: Coach Ford is making changes on an offense that ranked sixth in scoring and seventh in total yards among the conference leaders. Daniel Bocanegra, last year's starting quarterback, will move to flanker and work on special teams as a returner to take advantage of his athleticism. Sophomore Frank Blasinsky has been installed in the No. 1 position. He played in nine games as a true freshman, throwing for 258 yards and one TD. "He doesn't have to play out of his mind for us to be successful," offers Ford, who has help on the way with three incoming freshman QBs.

The Great Danes will have to replace three all-conference offensive linemen, including NFL free agent Jacob Hobbs. But both starting guards are back in Sam Pagano (6-3, 290) and Jeff Wentzell (6-4, 295). Pagano was named to the Football Gazette Division I FCS All-America Team as an honorable mention selection. Raphael Nguti (6-6, 330) and Boston College transfer Justin Tougas (6-6, 308) are ready to continue a long-standing tradition of great tackles. Sophomore center Kevin Richards (6-2, 280) is expected to anchor the line.

Omar Johnson is the top returning rusher with 435 yards and seven touchdowns. Johnson, a senior tailback, is among the school's all-time leaders with 17 career rushing TDs. Colin Simmons, who like Johnson missed spring practice while recovering from off-season surgery, ran for 215 yards as a freshman. Sophomores Justin Gannon and David McCarty, a converted flanker, worked at tailback throughout last spring. Fullback Dan Beigel (6-2, 230) has been productive throughout his career. He has run for nearly 600 yards and scored six TDs.

Irani DeAraujo and Mike Wall started at split end and flanker, respectively, last year. DeAraujo had a team-high 28 receptions for 270 yards. Mike Wall, who earned All-NEC honors as a kick returner, hauled in 15 passes for 217 yards and two TDs. He also ranked among the national leaders with a 24.9 kickoff return average. Marcus Miles (6-3, 240) and Dan Archer (6-3, 230) are capable tight ends with blocking skills.



DEFENSE: The Great Danes are coming off their best defensive campaign since moving to Division I FCS. UAlbany ranked among the top-five nationally in three categories, including points allowed (13.0 pg) and total defense at 240.8 yards per game.

Colin Disch is about to become the school's all-time tackles leader. Disch is the team's most decorated individual as he made the AFCA (first team) and Football Gazette (third team) All-America squads. He was also voted mid-major linebacker of the year and the NEC's top defender for the second season in a row. Disch, a senior, reached the 100-tackle mark for the third straight campaign (103). He has double-figure hits in 21 career games.

"He has the instincts that all great linebackers have," Ford says. "He can come over the top and underneath blocks with quickness and speed."

Tommy Genovesi (6-2, 225) and Mark Peretore (6-1, 230) are also positioned at inside linebacker. Genovesi made 36 tackles while playing in all 11 games. Peretore was fourth on the team in tackles (48), including 25 unassisted.

Trevor DuPont (6-1, 220) and Chris Simpson (6-0, 230) are penciled in at the outside spots. DuPont accounted for 34 tackles and scored on an interception return. Simpson showed great promise as a freshman by contributing on special teams.

UAlbany's defensive line performed at a high level throughout last season. Defensive tackle Michael Dungey (6-2, 275) earned mid-major All-America and all-region recognition and was a first-team All-NEC choice. He accounted for 34 tackles, including eight for a loss. Defensive ends Jon Volpe (6-1, 260) and Mark Sheehan (6-2, 260) have been integral in the line's rotation. Sheehan was second on the team in sacks (4.5) and reached paydirt on a 55-yard interception return. Tackle Tom Pandolf (6-0, 260) was the team's most improved player with 29 tackles and 4.0 sacks.

Graduation wiped out most of UAlbany's starting secondary. Cornerbacks Jean Juste (13 tackles) and L.B. McCloskey (10 tackles) each saw significant time last year. Dave Casale will get an opportunity at the free safety position. Safety Dave Nicomini is a physical defender who had 51 tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore. Dave West, an all-conference baseball outfielder, will also help at the safety positions.

KICKING GAME: Placekicker Jason Fralicker earned second-team All-NEC honors after booting a school-record 13 field goals and leading the team in scoring with 64 points. Fralicker, who also handled kickoffs, made all 25 point-after attempts. Chris Lynch earned first-team mid-major All-America and all-conference honors after averaging 38.8 yards per punt.