Head FCS Football Coach Bob Ford Announces University of Albany 2010 Recruiting Class - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany head football coach Bob Ford announced on Wednesday, Feb. 3 the signing of 16 student-athletes to national letters of intent to play for the Great Danes in the 2010-11 academic year. UAlbany posted a 7-4 record and finished second in the Northeast Conference standings last season.

The 2010 signing class features seven players from the state of New York, plus three from New Jersey, three from Ohio, two from Florida, and one from Maryland. The breakdown by position includes one offensive lineman, three wide receivers, three running backs, one quarterback, one tight end, four defensive linemen, two linebackers and one defensive back.

"We did a good job of meeting our needs in the defensive line and wide receiver positions," said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, who is the winningest active Division I FCS coach with 241 career victories. "There are two defensive ends and two tackles in the class, and (Zach) Morton is arguably the best defensive lineman in the Capital Region. The three receivers have lots of speed. (Lance) Fanthrop has great hands and was an all-state player."

Among the Great Danes' commitments is running back Dillon Romain, the 2008 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year who attended Blair Academy last year, and defensive lineman Andrew Smith, a Class AA first-team all-state player from Long Island who originally signed with Hofstra University. Both student-athletes enrolled at UAlbany in January and will participate in 2010 spring practice.

"We were fortunate to have two enroll in January and they will be with us for spring ball," Ford stated. "(Dillon) Romain is a year older after having gone to prep school. He has size and in time will be a good one. (Andrew) Smith is big, agile and extremely fast at his position."

The 2010 signing class features five players who earned all-state recognition by the New York State Sportswriters Association (NYSSWA), two were All-Ohio selections and two made the all-state team in New Jersey.

2010 University at Albany Football Signings
Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown (High School)
Brandon Baylor, S, 5-11, 179, Silver Spring, Md. (St. John's College)
Ryan Conway, DT, 6-0, 240, Brunswick, Ohio (Brunswick)
Jake Dwyer, ILB, 6-2, 215, Springboro, Ohio (Springboro)
Lance Fanthorp, WR, 5-11, 175, Cincinnati, Ohio (Morrow Little Miami)
Will Fiacchi, QB,, 6-3, 200, Marcellus, N.Y. (Marcellus)
Jameel Gay, WR, 5-11, 165, Tampa, Fla. (Alonso)
Clay Harris, RB, 5-10, 185, West Henrietta, N.Y. (Rush-Henrietta)
Austin Jenquine, OL, 6-4, 250, Largo, Fla. (Largo)
Kyle Jordan, OLB, 5-11, 195, Bernardsville, N.J. (Immaculata)
Cole King, WR, 6-1, 185, Syracuse, N.Y. (Henninger)
Tim Kologrivov, DT, 6-0, 265, Wyckoff, N.J. (Ramapo)
Zach Morton, DE, 6-5, 225, Burnt Hills, N.Y. (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake)
Omar Osbourne, RB, 6-1, 195, Syracuse, N.Y. (Bishop Ludden)
Brian Parker, TE, 6-4, 240, Henrietta, N.Y. (McQuaid Jesuit)
Dillon Romain, RB, 5-11, 210, Vernon, N.J. (Don Bosco Prep)
Andrew Smith, DE, 6-2, 250, Wading River, N.J. (Riverhead)

UAlbany Football Signing Profiles
Brandon Baylor
S, 5-11, 179, Silver Spring, Md. (St. John's College)
Named to the MDHigh.com All-Washington D.C. second team ... All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference (WCAC) third team ... positioned at cornerback, safety, wide receiver and outside linebacker ... made 57 tackles with two interceptions, one forced fumble and six pass break-ups ... scored on a 15-yard INT return versus Bishop McNamara ... participated in D.C. All-Star Game ... the Cadets made their fifth consecutive WCAC playoff appearance in his junior season.

Ryan Conway
DT, 6-0, 240, Brunswick, Ohio (Brunswick)
Chosen All-Ohio Division I first team ... made 86 tackles ... first-team All-Northeast Inland District for the second consecutive season ... first-team All-Northeast Ohio Conference - Valley Division ... special mention All-Ohio Division I as a junior ... totaled 64 tackles, seven sacks, five tackles for a loss and four fumble recoveries ... also started on offensive line.

Jake Dwyer
ILB, 6-2, 215, Springboro, Ohio (Springboro)
Greater Western Ohio Conference (GWOC) South Defensive Player of the Year ... Division I All-Southwest District second team ... first-team All-GWOC South ... led Panthers to an 8-2 record by making 127 tackles, including 24 for a loss and seven sacks ... totaled 71 tackles, 14 TFLs and two sacks as a junior ... lettered in wrestling.

Lance Fanthorp
WR, 5-11, 175, Cincinnati, Ohio (Morrow Little Miami)
Selected All-Ohio Division II first team ... first-team All-Southwest District ... two-time All-Fort Ancient Valley Conference wide receiver ... ninth in the state with 63 receptions for 1,178 yards ... scored 17 touchdowns ... second-team All-Southwest District as a junior when he caught 45 passes for 927 yards and 10 TDs ... rushed for five scores ... FAVC's top 100-meter dash sprinter in 10.79 seconds.

Will Fiacchi
QB, 6-3, 200, Marcellus, N.Y. (Marcellus)
Named to NYSSWA Class B all-state first team ... All-Central New York first team by Syracuse Post Standard ... passed for 2,607 yards and 24 touchdowns as a senior in leading the Mustangs to a 7-3 record ... third in state history with 6,971 career passing yards ... 70 career TD passes, eight rushing touchdowns and had a completion percentage of 58% ... recorded third-best single-game passing total in state annals with 519 yards against South Jefferson ... earned third-team all-state recognition as a junior when he threw for 2,169 yards and 21 TDs ... first-team All-Onondaga League as a sophomore ... passed for 2,176 yards and 25 touchdowns.

Jameel Gay
WR, 5-11, 165, Tampa, Fla. (Alonso)
Second-team All-Western Conference - American Division ... caught 33 passes for 417 yards and four touchdowns ... 14 tackles and three pass break-ups as a cornerback ... 2009 Hillsborough County All-Star Game ... played at Sickles High as a junior ... 36 receptions for 366 yards and one TD ... averaged 19.8 yards per kickoff return.

Clay Harris
RB, 5-10, 185, West Henrietta, N.Y. (Rush-Henrietta)
Named to the NYSSWA Class AA all-state fifth team ... All-Greater Rochester first team by Democrat & Chronicle ... rushed for 1,012 yards and 13 touchdowns as a senior ... accounted for 252 all-purpose yards, including an 85-yard punt return for a score, against Fairport ... second-team All-Greater Rochester as junior when he ran for 1,480 yards and 22 TDs ... guard on Royal Comets' basketball team.

Austin Jenquine
OL, 6-4, 250, Largo, Fla. (Largo)
All-Pinellas County first team by St. Petersburg Times ... Florida Athletics Coaches Association (FACA) Class 4A All-District 10 squad as a center ... the Packers, who finished 9-3 overall, averaged 30.4 points and 199.9 rushing yards with 31 touchdowns ... his junior and sophomore teams each advanced to the 5A state semifinals ... coach for Largo Little League program.

Kyle Jordan
OLB, 5-11, 195, Bernardsville, N.J. (Immaculata)
Second-team All-Somerset County ... first-team All-Raritan Division ... rushed for 344 yards and four touchdowns as a fullback despite missing part of the season with a knee injury ... hauled in 21 passes for 220 yards and three TDs ... led Spartans to a 10-2 record ... made 43 tackles with 1.5 sacks and one interception as a linebacker.

Cole King
WR, 6-1, 185, Syracuse, N.Y. (Henninger)
All-Central New York first team by Syracuse Post Standard ... first-team All-Onondaga League Class AA-2 ... scored by pass reception, punt return and interception return as a senior ... member of 2008 Section III championship team ... second in high jump and third in long jump at 2009 Section III indoor track championship ... also competed in triple jump ... member of Black Knights' baseball team.

Tim Kologrivov
DT, 6-0, 265, Wyckoff, N.J. (Ramapo)
New Jersey All-Group III third team ... All-Bergen County second team ... All-Northern Bergen Interscholastic League (NBIL) ... 32 tackles, three sacks, four forced fumbles and one recovery as a senior ... WGHT All-Area squad ... Green Raiders finished with a 10-2 record ... baseball catcher.

Zach Morton
DE, 6-5, 225, Burnt Hills, N.Y. (Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake)
Chosen to NYSSWA Class A all-state second team as a defensive lineman ... Albany Times Union Large School All-Area Team ... Daily Gazette all-area first team and Troy Record all-area second team ... Class A Northwest Co-Defensive Player of the Year ... made 48 tackles with six sacks and two blocked punts ... Spartans reached state championship game and finished No. 4 in the Class A rankings with a 12-1 record ... first-team Class A Northwest as a junior ... one of the top Section II basketball scorers at 17.6 points per game.

Omar Osbourne
RB, 6-1, 195, Syracuse, N.Y. (Bishop Ludden)
Chosen to NYSSWA Class C all-state second team for the second year in a row ... Syracuse Post Standard All-Central New York first team as a junior and senior ... All-Onondaga League Class C West first team twice ... totaled 1,570 rushing yards, 450 receiving yards and scored 23 touchdowns as a senior ... ran for 239 yards and two TDs vs. Adirondack ... Gaelic Knights finished 8-1 and were ranked No. 11 in state poll ... rushed for 1,565 yards and scored 21 touchdowns as a junior ... member of basketball team.

Brian Parker
TE, 6-4, 240, Henrietta, N.Y. (McQuaid Jesuit)
All-Greater Rochester second team by Democrat & Chonicle ... the Knights, who went 8-2 overall and were No. 13 in state's Class A rankings, advanced to Section V Class A final ... caught three passes for 46 yards as a tight end and made eight tackles as a defensive end vs. Aquinas Institue in sectional title game ... member of two City-Catholic League championship teams ... honorable mention All-Greater Rochester in basketball as a junior when he averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds.

Dillon Romain
RB, 5-11, 210, Vernon, N.J. (Don Bosco Prep)
Attended Blair Academy in New Jersey where he was chosen All-Prep first team by Newark Star-Ledger ... rushed for 1,104 yards and 13 touchdowns ... played safety, cornerback and outside linebacker ... made 57 tackles, including eight for a loss, and had two forced fumbles and three recoveries ... totaled 331 all-purpose yards vs. Western Reserve (Ohio) Academy ... 2008 New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year at Don Bosco Prep ... 1,436 rushing yards and 26 TDs as a senior ... MVP of New Jersey vs. Northeast All-Star Classic ... led team to third consecutive Non-Public, Group IV state championship ... enrolled at UAlbany for 2010 spring semester.

Andrew Smith
DT, 6-2, 250, Wading River, N.Y. (Riverhead)
2008 NYSSWA Class AA first-team all-state selection ... led Riverhead High to a 12-0 record, the Long Island championship, Rutgers Cup and a Nassau County Division II title ... first-team All-Long Island by Newsday ... made 87 tackles as a defensive end and had 15 receptions and three touchdowns as a tight end ... totaled 71 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions as a junior ... member of track & field program ... originally signed with Hofstra University as a member of the 2009 class, but spent the fall semester as a student at Suffolk County Community College ... enrolled at UAlbany in 2010 spring semester.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany Wide Receiver Tim Bush Receives Football's Most Valuable Player Award For 2009 Season - UAlbany Sports 2010

Albany, N.Y. - University at Albany's Tim Bush received the 2009 most valuable player award at the football program's postseason awards banquet, held at the Campus Center Ballroom. He was voted the team's top receiver for the second consecutive year. UAlbany (7-4) finished second in the Northeast Conference standings and won seven or more games for fourth season in a row.

Bush, a senior wide receiver, caught 63 passes for 861 yards and three touchdowns. He had four 100-yard receiving games, tying the second-best single-season total in the program's history. Bush, a first-team All-Northeast Conference selection for the second time this season, established a school record for career receptions (147), breaking a standard that was previously held by Dan Gmelin (1994-97).

Justin Gannon, a senior tailback, earned the most valuable special teams award, while Vince Gonzales, a junior offensive tackle, was named most improved player. Gannon, a second-team All-NEC kick returner, led the team with 1,110 all-purpose yards. He finished 12th among the 2009 Division I FCS leaders with a 12.5 punt return average. After moving from guard to tackle in the preseason, Gonzales, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound athlete, was an 11-game starter at left tackle on the offensive line.

Justin Brancaccio (linebacker) and Dave Casale (defensive back) received awards for the second consecutive year. Brancaccio, a first-team All-NEC choice, led the Great Danes with 94 tackles, including nine for losses. He concluded his career ranked eighth on the school's all-time tackles chart (261). Casale, a first-team all-league free safety, totaled 77 tackles, six pass break-ups, two interceptions, three forced fumbles and two recoveries. He had 11 career interceptions, sixth among UAlbany's all-time leaders.

Center Kevin Richards and right guard Andy Sparano shared the team's top offensive lineman award. The Great Danes' attack averaged 26.5 points and 341.3 total yards. Tony Sparano was voted best defensive lineman after he accounted for 33 tackles, 3.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries as a senior. The Sparano brothers are the sons of the Miami Dolphins' head coach.

Senior tailback David McCarty picked up his third award as the top offensive back. Despite an injury-plagued campaign, McCarty rushed for 934 yards and nine touchdowns and was voted to the All-NEC squad for the third consecutive year. He completed his career as the school's all-time leader in rushing yards (4,287), all-purpose running yards (4,976) and 100-yard rushing games (24).


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany's Chris Simpson Chosen Northeast Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in Sport of Football - UAlbany Sports 2010

Somerset, N.J. - University at Albany's Chris Simpson has been chosen Northeast Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in the sport of football, as announced on Tuesday, Jan. 26 by the conference office. Simpson is the third UAlbany student-athlete to receive the annual honor, joining J.T. Herfurth (2000) and Victor Camacho (2003).

Simpson, a senior inside linebacker from Victor, N.Y., has a 3.97 cumulative grade point average in physics. A key member of a defensive unit that ranked among the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) leaders in scoring, rushing and total yards allowed, Simpson totaled 58 tackles with 2.0 sacks, 4.5 tackles for a loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery as an 11-game starter. UAlbany (7-4) finished second in the NEC standings. He was named both the ECAC and NEC player of the week after recording a career-high 11 tackles and forcing a turnover that led to the winning touchdown in a 20-16 upset of No. 20 Maine in September. UAlbany combined for 31 victories and won a pair of conference championships during his 46-game career.

As a student, Simpson was a semifinalist for the National Football Foundation William V. Campbell Trophy and was named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District I Team. A Presidential Scholar and winner of the CRC Press Chemistry Award, Simpson served as a research assistant with the College of Nanoscale Science and Enginneering and has aided in the research of MOSFET alternatives for electronic devices. He is also a member of the school's Student-Athletic Advisory (SAAC) Executive Committee and has been an academic tutor in math, physics and chemistry.

Simpson is a member of UAlbany's 3+2 engineering program (all of his fall semesters classes were taken at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute). He will graduate with a degree in physics from UAlbany this spring and earn a B.S. in mechanical engineering from RPI in May 2011.

NEC Fall Academic Honor Roll: The Great Danes placed 18 players on the 2009 Northeast Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll ... each student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average to be recognized ... offensive guard Justin Anderson (business administration), outside linebacker Chris Blais (human biology), quarterback Frank Blasinsky (business administration), inside linebacker Justin Brancaccio (communication), fullback Ben Carl (business administration), quarterback Dan Di Lella (criminal justice), offensive tackle Vince Gonzales (history), tight end Matt Goss (criminal justice), inside linebacker Dan Halperin (undeclared), offensive tackle Jordan Migliore (criminal justice), defensive end Wil Moushey (business administration), offensive tackle Keith Peifer (business administration), inside linebacker Chris Simpson (physics), defensive end Tony Sparano (history), offensive guard Andrew Stevens (business administration), inside linebacker Eddie Tretina (undeclared), wide receiver Rhakeem Wiggins (undeclared) and punter Bobby Woods (accounting) were chosen.


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

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

University of Albany QB Vinny Esposito Accounts for Four TDs in Football's 41-28 NEC Victory Against Wagner - UAlbany Sports 2009

Staten Island, N.Y. - Senior quarterback Vinny Esposito passed for two touchdowns and ran for two scores, all in the first half, in leading UAlbany to a 41-28 Northeast Conference victory over Wagner on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Wagner College Stadium. The Great Danes finished their season alone in second place in the conference standings, one game behind league champion Central Connecticut State.

UAlbany (7-4, NEC 6-2) had to hold on in the second half after building a 20-point lead at the intermission. Wagner (6-5, NEC 5-3) controlled the third quarter and closed within 34-21 on freshman quarterback Nick Doscher's 2-yard run over right tackle with 10:26 left in the stanza. The Seahawks were looking for most points at the end of the period, but David Lopez missed a 45-yard field goal.

The Great Danes immediately responded with an 8-play, 72-yard drive to start the final quarter. Esposito, who connected on 14 of 21 passes for 248 yards, found Tim Bush with a 29-yard completion on third-and-18 to keep the series alive. Justin Gannon, a senior tailback, capped the sequence with a 12-yard touchdown run for a 41-20 lead with 11:40 to play. Gannon, who got the majority of the work with David McCarty sidelined by a hip injury, finished with a career-high 86 yards on 19 carries.

Doscher, a 22-year-old who was originally was selected in the Major League Baseball draft by the Kansas City Roylas, moved his team 72 yards to get his club within two scores. Doscher worked his way to the right on fourth-and-goal at the UAlbany 13 and fired a touchdown strike to Justin Matthews, who was wide open in the back of the end zone. The college rookie passed for 156 yards and added 78 on the ground.

But that was as close as the Seahawks would get, as UAlbany used its rushing attack to run down the clock. Andrew Smith, a redshirt freshman, keyed that action and had 98 rushing yards on 15 attempts. Safety Emerson Kinsey intercepted a Doscher pass on the sideline to seal the outcome with 2:42 to play.

"We responded to everything that they gave us," said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose team reached the seven-win mark for the fourth consecutive season. "We were a little sloppy in the kicking game and their quarterback is going to give a lot people headaches during his career."

The Great Danes scored twice in a one-minute-and-44-second span of the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead.Smith reached paydirt on an 8-yard run when he faked into the line out of the quarterback position and darted through the middle. After outside linebacker Jon Morgan recovered a fumble, Esposito, the starting signal-caller, hit Smith, out of the tailback spot, in the right flat with a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Wagner regrouped with a 10-play, 83-yard march behind the Doscher's play. Dominque Williams, who rushed for 101 yards, finished off that series with a 28-yard rumble over the right side for a touchdown with 7:32 left in the second quarter. The Great Danes responded with a seven-play drive. Esposito hooked up with McCarty on a 35-yard screen pass, before Smith rushed for 27 yards. Esposito's 14-yard TD pass to fullback Chris Kenneally gave his team a 21-7 advantage.

The Seahawks' Frantz Placide took the following kickoff 89 yards to end zone when he broke through a wedge and sped down the right sideline. UAlbany came back with two scores in the late stages of the period to build a 34-14 halftime lead. Esposito worked his way around right end on an 8-yard option run for the first touchdown. The senior then executed a perfect three-play series from near midfield. He threw a pair of 25-plus yard passes to Gannon and then went over from 1-yard out on a sneak.

"With (David) McCarty sidelined I just wanted to do my part," offered Gannon, who totaled 194 all-purpose yards in his final game as a collegian. "It feels great after the last two games did not go our way. We will always remember this game rather than the losses."

Both UAlbany and Wagner had opportunities to share the conference title coming into the contest. However, Central Connecticut State ended those dreams when the Blue Devils rallied in the fourth quarter for the second straight week in a 14-13 road win against Saint Francis, Pa.

"Everything is kind of sublime right now," said UAlbany's Dave Nicomini, a senior outside linebacker who had eight tackles. "We have had a great run (as seniors) and will miss each other. But we battled through some adversity and we are leaving on a good note."

Paw Prints: UAlbany has posted seven or more wins in eight of their 11 seasons at the NCAA FCS Division I level ... the Great Danes finished with six victories conference play for the sixth time, including three years in a row ... UAlbany is now 5-1 following a bye week as a FCS program ... wide receiver Tim Bush had five catches for 77 yards in his final game and finishes his career as the school's all-time receptions leaders (147) ...senior linebacker Justin Brancaccio had a team-high nine tackles and is eighth on career charts with 261 ...

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Field Goal On Game's Final Play Leads Robert Morris to 13-10 NEC Football Win Against UAlbany

Albany, N.Y. - Garrett Clawson made a 20-yard field goal with no time remaining in leading Robert Morris to a 13-10 Northeast Conference victory over UAlbany on Saturday, Nov. 7 at University Field. The Great Danes had their school-record 12-game home winning streak halted.

Robert Morris (3-6, NEC 3-3) drove nearly the length of the field for the game-winning points, holding on to the ball for the final five minutes and 38 seconds. Senior quarterback Camdin Crouse, who came off to bench earlier in the contes, engineered the 14-play drive. He found D.J. Zalewski with a 22-yard pass into UAlbany territory and later connected with tight end Shadrae King on a third-down throw for 13 yards. Crouse's sneak over the right side set up a first-and-goal at the Great Danes' 3-yard line. After both teams used their final timeout, Clawson broke the tie.

"It probably helps to have an experienced quarterback on the last drive, but that didn't change how we played," said UAlbany senior linebacker Justin Brancaccio, who had a game-high 12 tackles, including three for losses. "We had good practices this week and we were prepared and comfortable with our checks. We just didn't make any plays."

The Colonials, who began the season with six consecutive losses, posted their third straight win with a big special teams play on the opening kickoff when Anthony Coleman went 58 yards to the UAlbany 32. Starting quarterback Jeff Sinclair mixed the run and pass on a nine-play scoring march. The freshman capped the series with a 3-yard touchdown pass to fullback Jeff Link, who came wide open in the left flat.

UAlbany (6-4, NEC 5-2) used a blocked punt by safety Emerson Kinsey to get on the scoreboard in the second quarter. Sean Kenny would eventually kick a 24-yard field goal. The Colonials answered with seven seconds left before halftime as Clawson booted a 39-yarder for a 10-3 lead. The field goal was set up by Crouse's 31-yard completion to split end Sherrod Evers. Crouse completed 6 of 7 attempts for 90 yards on the day.

The Great Danes, who were in contention for a third straight conference title coming into the contest, were bottled up by the Robert Morris' defense throughout the game. UAlbany put together a 12-play march to start the third quarter, but that was wiped out when inside linebacker Elias Navarro picked off an Esposito pass at his own 12-yard line. The Colonials held their opponent to 217 total yards, including 43 on the ground, the lowest total in an NEC contest since the Great Danes joined the conference in 1999.

"They did a pretty good job of shutting down our running attack," said Esposito, whose team could have been in a tie for first place in the conference standings after Wagner upended Central Connecticut, 32-27. "There were opportunities but we didn't take advantage. As seniors we are embarrassed and disappointed."

UAlbany was able to break through in the fourth quarter and drew even at 10 apiece with 7:58 to play. After a short punt, Esposito hit tailback Justin Gannon with a 27-yard screen pass on first down. The senior quarterback later connected with tight end Paul Booker for an 11-yard touchdown. Esposito completed 13 of 31 attempts for 168 yards, but was intercepted twice.
Robert Morris' Myles Russ, who saw limited time last week with an ankle injury, led all rushers with 87 yards on 31 carries. Sinclair was 9-of-20 through the air for 50 yards.

"The challenge (in coaching) is to pick up your team after a devastating loss," explained UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose team had its 18-game conference win streak stopped in a 31-29 thriller the previous week. "I didn't get them (the team) off the deck and the opening kickoff set the tone. They won the line of scrimmage, for the most part, on both sides of the ball. This is a bitter loss."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football's Sparano, Simpson & Woods Chosen to ESPN The Magazine District I All-Academic Football Team - UAlbany Sports 2009

Washington, D.C. - University at Albany's Tony Sparano leads a group of three student-athletes who have been chosen to the ESPN The Magazine District I Academic All-America Football Team, as voted by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). Sparano was selected for the second straight year, while Chris Simpson and Bobby Woods made their first appearance on the all-academic squad. Each athlete moves on to the University Division national ballot and that team will be announced on Nov. 24.

Sparano, a senior defensive end from Colleyville, Texas, has a 3.40 cumulative grade point average in history with a minor in political science. He earned his B.A. last May and is enrolled in UAlbany's graduate school. In nine starting assignments this season, Sparano has 23 tackles and two fumble recoveries. He had a career-high seven tackles against nationally-ranked Massachusetts in September. Sparano, the son of the Miami Dolphins' head coach, has twice been named to the Northeast Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll.

Simpson, a senior inside linebacker from Victor, N.Y., has a 3.97 GPA in physics. He is enrolled in the school's 3+2 engineering program and will also earn an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in May 2010. Simpson was a member of the 2008 FCS Athletic Directors' Academic All-Star Team. Simpson is fourth on the UAlbany squad in tackles with 51 and has two sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He had a career-best 11 tackles in his team's upset of No. 20 Maine this year.

Woods, a junior punter from Sayreville, N.J., owns a 3.58 GPA in accounting with a minor in business administration. He is averaging 35.7 yards per punt with five 50-plus kicks, five touchbacks and seven punts inside the 20-yard line. He booted a 77-yarder in the season opener at Georgia Southern, the second longest in school history. Woods came to the UAlbany program after Iona College dropped the sport of football.

UAlbany (6-3, NEC 5-1) is currently in second place in the conference standings. The Great Danes meet league-rival Robert Morris on Saturday in their final home game of the season.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football Rolls Past Monmouth In NEC Matchup - UAlbany Sports 2009

West Long Branch, N.J. - Vinny Esposito and Andrew Smith each passed for one touchdown and ran for another in leading UAlbany to its sixth consecutive win in a 35-10 triumph over Monmouth in Northeast Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 24 at Kessler Field.

UAlbany (6-2, NEC 5-0) scored twice off mistakes in a two-minute-and-14-second span early in the third quarter to build a 28-3 margin. Fullback Mike D'Urso fumbled a completed pass when Jon Morgan forced the turnover and inside linebacker Chris Simpson fell on the ball at the Monmouth 35. Smith, a redshirt freshman who plays both quarterback and tailback, then threw a reverse pass to a diving Tim Bush for a 31-yard touchdown with 12:11 remaining in the period.

After the Great Danes held Monmouth on downs, safety Jake Ciccarello broke through clean in the middle of the line to block Jack Daniels' punt attempt. Justin Gannon, a senior tailback, immediately bolted off left tackle and scampered to the end zone on a 23-yard touchdown run. Gannon, who accounted for 159 all-purpose yards, was subbing for injured starter David McCarty, who sprained an ankle in the second quarter and did not return.

"My job is to try and duplicate what he does," said Gannon, who rushed for 52 yards on 13 carries. "I worked on getting the right mind set at halftime and being ready if he did not play. We were able to get on top of them and finish it off."

Monmouth (3-4, NEC 2-2) closed the gap to 28-10 with 4:05 left in the third quarter when senior tailback David Sinisi, out of a wildcat formation, scored on a 3-yard run. Sinisi, who ran 24 times for 131 yards, became the conference's all-time leading rusher on the drive and now has 4,526 career yards.

The Great Danes, who last tasted defeat in league play to end the 2006 campaign, answered with a nine-play scoring sequence. Gannon's 43-yard kickoff return jump-started the series. Smith, who ran for 36 yards on 11 attempts, added a 15-yard scamper, before Esposito crossed the goal line on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 13:42 to play. Esposito completed 12 of 19 passes for 117 yards in the contest.

"We had some big plays on special teams and then started to dominate things," explained UAlbany coach Bob Ford, who posted his 240th career win at the collegiate level and has a team that has won a conference-record 18 in a row against league opposition. "You don't always have a chance to make history in any sport. Now we have to get ready for a good opponent next week."

Monmouth broke up a scoreless deadlock in the second quarter when strong safety Kendall Haley picked off an Esposito pass that was intended for Bush. The Hawks, who started at the Albany 29-yard line, were eventually stopped as Dave Casale, the team leader with 11 tackles, broke up a third-down pass. Jake DelVento connected on a 32-yard field goal to put his team ahead.

"We take pride in being able to stop the run and then defend the pass," offered junior defensive end Mike Kelly, who had five tackles and contributed on one of his team's four sacks in a return to his hometown. "We are fortunate to able to rotate guys on the defensive line. That keeps us fresh and also able to talk about things on the sideline."

The Great Danes regrouped on their next possession with an 8-play, 70-yard march. Esposito delivered a 41-yard strike to a streaking Bush on the right sideline that set up first-and-goal at the Monmouth 7. Bush finished with seven receptions for 114 yards. On third down, Esposito found wide receiver John Lullen crossing in the middle of the end zone with a 5-yard scoring pass for a 7-3 lead.

Gannon's 16-yard punt return placed UAlbany's offense in Hawk territory to start its next series. The Great Danes moved eight plays to reach paydirt and grab a 14-3 advantage. McCarty, who left the game at the intermission with 64 yards on nine carries, busted through the middle on a 27-yard jaunt to the Monmouth 1. In a third-and-goal situation, Smith would bounce off the left side on a 1-yard touchdown run.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football Sets Conference Football Win Streak Record in 20-17 NEC Victory Against Bryant - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - Vinny Esposito passed for a season-high 280 yards and two touchdowns, as UAlbany held off Bryant, 20-17, in Northeast Conference play on Saturday, Oct. 17 at University Field. The Great Danes established a conference record by winning their 17th straight against league opponents.
Bryant (3-3, NEC 2-1) grabbed a 9-6 early in the third quarter off a gadget play. Running back Mike Canfora moved to his right, off a fake reverse, and fired a perfect 13-yard strike to a wide open Vinton South for the go-ahead touchdown. The extra-point was blocked.
UAlbany (5-2, NEC 4-0) took advantage of a mistake later in the period. Tim Mastrino muffed a punt return and Great Danes' safety Jake Ciccarello made the recovery at the Bryant 37. After the Bulldogs' defense stiffened to set up a fourth-and-seven situation, Esposito hit Jason Poore on a post pattern in the middle of the field. The 6-foot-6 receiver split the safeties and reached across the goal line to complete a 34-yard scoring play.
"We knew they were doubling (Tim) Bush and the safety was spying," said Poore, who caught his first touchdown of the season. "Vinny (Esposito) put the ball where only the receiver could catch it. I reached across the line and looked to see if the referee's hands were up."
The Great Danes would stop Bryant on its next offensive series when inside linebacker Chris Simpson sacked quarterback Mike Croce on fourth down at the Albany 40. UAlbany then marched 60 yards to paydirt for a 20-9 lead. Esposito, who completed 25 of 32 pass attempts, hit Tim Bush for 32 yards in a third-down situation to keep the sequence alive. After tailback David McCarty rushed three straight times to the Bryant 5-yard line, Esposito found Andrew Smith in the right flat for the touchdown on the first play of the final quarter.
"The receivers have been consistent and it has been a matter of me getting them the football," explained Esposito, who established the program's single-standard for completions, breaking a mark that had stood since 1995. "Like most teams they are putting eight guys in the box to stop the run, so we took advantage with our size and speed on the outside. This gives me confidence as we head down the stretch.
The Bulldogs, who are in their first season as a conference member and second year at the Division I FCS level, did not go away quietly. UAlbany's defense snuffed out a scoring threat deep in its own end of the field. Cornerback Ross Bertrand came up with a sack on first down, before Croce's fourth-down pass fell incomplete at the Great Danes' 23-yard line.
But Bryant's Michael Morgan partially blocked a punt, following a high snap from center, to set up his team's next possession. The Bulldogs made use of a face-mask penalty that wiped out a sack and senior tailback Jerell Smith finished off the eight-play drive with a 2-yard scoring run over right tackle. Croce threw a two-point conversion pass to Mastrino in cutting the margin to 20-17 with 3:13 remaining.
After Poore leaped into the air to recover the on-side kick, the Great Danes were able to basically run out the clock. Esposito hooked up with Bush, who had 10 receptions for 135 yards, on a third-down pass. McCarty, who lugged the ball 38 times for 118 yards, was the primary rusher as his team extended its home win streak to 12 straight.
"We had to battle because that was a game we could have lost five or six times (at any point)," offered UAlbany coach Bob Ford, who picked up his 230th career win at the school. "They did a great job of shutting down our run game. Vinny (Esposito) and Jason (Poore) executed that fourth-down pass and that probably was the turning point in the game."
In a first half where the defenses controlled the action, as the two teams combined for three field goals. UAlbany's Herb Glass made attempts from 39 and 19 yards to overcome a 3-0 deficit in the second quarter. Bryant's field goal was set up by Aaron Bryant's blocked punt.
Croce, a sophomore, completed 22 of 35 passes for 234 yards, but was sacked five times. Smith, who came into the contest averaging nearly 109 rushing yards, was held to 44 on the ground. UAlbany's Poore had a career day with eight receptions for 73 yards.

Paw Prints: UAlbany has won 17 in a row against Northeast Conference opponents, breaking Robert Morris' standard of 16 straight from 1998-2000 ... QB Vinny Esposito posted the third-best single-game passing yardage total (280) in the program's FCS history ... Esposito's 25 completions (32 attempts) eclipsed Joe Savino's single-game mark of 24 that was established on Nov. 19, 1995 ... UAlbany has no turnovers for the second time this season ... UAlbany's defense held Bryant to 30 net rushing yards, the lowest figure by an opponent since Nov. 4, 2006 ... WR Tim Bush tied the program's FCS single-game receptions record with 10 catches for 135 yards ... Bush has five 100-yard receiving games as a collegian

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football Uses Big Plays to Record 55-10 Homecoming Victory Against NEC-Rival Duquesne - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - David McCarty rushed for two touchdowns and Justin Gannon scored on a 78-yard punt return as UAlbany pounded out a 55-10 Northeast Conference victory over Duquesne before a homecoming crowd of 6,255 on Saturday, Oct. 10 at University Field. The Great Danes have won 16 straight against conference opponents, the nation's longest Division I FCS streak.

The Great Danes put together a 28-point second quarter en route to a 41-7 halftime lead. Leading 13-0 in the second period, outside linebacker Jon Morgan picked up a fumble and sprinted 56 yards to paydirt. After the defense held the Dukes on fourth down at its own 17-yard line, UAlbany's offense came up with a quick strike. Quarterback Vinny Esposito found Tim Bush on a deep post and after hauling in the pass the senior wide receiver eluded a defender on a 81-yard scoring play.

"We practice game-changing plays on Thursdays each week," said Morgan, a redshirt freshman who had four tackles. "We are trying to get turnovers (as defenders). I am not sure that deflated them, but our defense has been holding tight in the red zone."

UAlbany (4-2, NEC 3-0) wrapped two scores around a Duquesne touchdown over the final minute of the second half. Esposito scrambled from the pocket on a 5-yard scoring run to finish off a drive that was aided by a personal foul penalty. The Dukes Jay Spinks hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass with 15 seconds left in the period. But after recovering an onside kick, Duquesne quarterback Connor Dixon was picked off by safety Jake Ciccarello whose 26-yard return gave the Great Danes a final offensive play with one second left. Esposito lofted a 32-yard pass to the back of the end zone and wide receiver John Lullen came up with the touchdown catch to complete a bizarre ending to the period.

UAlbany marched 80 yards in eight plays with the second-half kickoff for a 48-7 advantage. McCarty, a senior tailback, carried five times in the offensive series. He broke through the middle of the line and bounced off two tackles on a 23-yard touchdown run with 11:58 left in the quarter. McCarty left the game after that point with 145 rushing yards on 18 attempts.

In the first quarter, McCarty, who reached the 100-yard mark for the fourth consecutive game, capped an 80-yard drive with a one-yard blast for a 6-0 lead after the extra-point was missed. His 33-yard scamper set up the game's first points. Esposito, who connected on 7 of 12 passes for 173 yards and two touchdowns, keyed the scoring sequence with a 30-yard completion to tight end Paul Booker. Justin Gannon then electrified the home crowd with his punt return for a touchdown, the first by a Great Dane since 1998, as he broke several tackles on his way up the right sideline.

"We knew they would be punting with the wind," explained Gannon, who racked up 119 all-purpose yards. "(Kareem) Cooper had a great block on their inside gunner. Everyone did their job. The special teams have stepped up this year and it's because those players on the unit have another year of experience."

Dixon, a Michigan State transfer, completed 20 of 31 passes for 194 yards. Duquesne (2-4, NEC 1-2) added Eric Duale's 33-yard field goal midway through the third quarter. The Great Danes, who won their 11th consecutive home game, closed the out the scoring on quarterback Andrew Smith's 58-yard dash early in the final period.

"We won the battle at the line scrimmage, ran the football, special teams came up with some plays, and the defense gave us another stellar performance," said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose club tied the NEC record for consecutive wins against conference opponents, established by Robert Morris earlier in this decade. "We had many big and explosive plays today."

UAlbany 55, Duquesne 10 (Oct 10, 2009)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Duquesne (2-4,1-2) vs. Albany (4-2,3-0)

Date: Oct 10, 2009 • Site: Albany, N.Y. • Stadium: University Field • Attendance: 6255

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
Duquesne 0 7 3 0 10
Albany 13 28 7 7 55


SCORING SUMMARY DUQ -ALBANY
1st 07:35 ALBANY David McCarty 1 yd run (Herb Glass kick failed)
7 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:19 0 - 6
06:03 ALBANY Justin Gannon 78 yd punt return (Herb Glass kick)
0 - 13
2nd 07:06 ALBANY Jon Morgan 56 yd fumble recovery (Herb Glass kick)
0 - 20
03:39 ALBANY Tim Bush 81 yd pass from Vinny Esposito (Herb Glass kick)
2 plays, 83 yards, TOP 0:40 0 - 27
00:53 ALBANY Vinny Esposito 5 yd run (Herb Glass kick)
6 plays, 45 yards, TOP 1:50 0 - 34
00:15 DUQ SPINKS, Jay 12 yd pass from DIXON, Connor (DUALE, Eric kick)
4 plays, 51 yards, TOP 0:38 7 - 34
00:00 ALBANY John Lullen 32 yd pass from Vinny Esposito (Herb Glass kick)
1 play, 32 yards, TOP 0:01 7 - 41
3rd 11:58 ALBANY David McCarty 23 yd run (Herb Glass kick)
8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 3:02 7 - 48
06:22 DUQ DUALE, Eric 33 yd field goal
7 plays, 30 yards, TOP 2:32 10 - 48
4th 13:39 ALBANY Andrew Smith 58 yd run (Herb Glass kick)
3 plays, 74 yards, TOP 1:21 10 - 55


Kickoff time: 1:07 pm
End of Game: 3:57 pm Total elapsed time: 2:50
Referee: Jim Winterberg
Umpire: Terry Moore Linesman: A. Solimine Line judge: John Wilson Back judge: M. DeBerdine Field judge: Mark McCarter Side judge: Ron Reidinger Scorer: Matt Chmura
Temperature: 57 • Wind: WNW 15 • Weather: Partly cloudy


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football Uses Strong Defense and Healthy Rushing Attack to Record 27-3 NEC Victory - UAlbany Sports 2009

Loretto, Pa. - Senior tailback David McCarty rushed for a season-high 170 yards and two touchdowns in leading UAlbany to a 27-6 Northeast Conference victory over Saint Francis, Pa. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at DeGol Field. The Great Danes extended their conference win streak to 15 in a row, the nation's longest at the Division I FCS level.

UAlbany (3-2, NEC 2-0) played a dominating style of defense for the third consecutive game by holding Saint Francis (1-4, NEC 0-2) to 255 total yards, including 79 on the ground, and forcing three turnovers. The Great Danes have held their opponents without a touchdown for 10 straight quarters.

"I thought we came into the game focused," said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose defense has limited NEC opposition to less than 100 rushing yards in six of its last seven outings. "The defense played superb and ran aggressively to the football. I thought this was the first time (this season) that the offensive line was dominant at the line of scrimmage."

The Great Danes scored on their opening three possessions and stopped Saint Francis inside their own 5-yard line en route to a 17-6 halftime advantage. UAlbany marched 74 yards in 11 plays with the opening kickoff. Quarterback Vinny Esposito completed a three-down pass to wide receiver Tim Bush to set up a first-and-goal situation. McCarty then blasted through the middle on a 5-yard touchdown run.

After the teams traded field goals, the Red Flash drove from their own 28 deep into UAlbany territory. Freshman quarterback John Kelly, a Penn State transfer, hooked up with Omar Winston on a third-down, 23-yard completion to keep the series alive. But on fourth-and-one at the five-yard line, Kelly's quarterback sneak was stopped short by outside linebacker Rich Duff and defensive end Tony Sparano.

"We saw on flim that they liked to sneak in that situation," explained Duff, who had a team-high nine tackles. "I read it and dove for him. The goal-line stand against Maine has motivated our defense. We are always trying to slow down the run game and not give up big plays."

The Great Danes then put together a 14-play, 95-yard scoring drive that featured McCarty's running and Esposito's passing. The senior quarterback finished off the sequence when he tossed a 9-yard scoring pass to Bush, who was wide open in the left flat, for a 17-3 lead midway through the second quarter. Saint Francis' Josh Thiel added his second field goal of the game when he connected on a 18-yarder with 3:30 to play before the intermission.

UAlbany's defense helped extend its team's margin late in the third quarter when outside linebacker Dave Nicomini forced a fumble after a complete pass and defensive end Marc Wargo fell on the ball at the Saint Francis' 22. The Great Danes staying on the ground to push out to a 24-6 lead. On third-and-two, McCarty bounced around left end and sprinted to the end zone untouched on a 14-yard score. Herb Glass added his second field goal, a 27-yarder, with 10:50 to play in the final period.

"We were a little worried about Saint Francis coming into the game," offered McCarty, who reached the 100-yard rushing mark for the third straight contest and 22nd time as a collegian. "Their defense and team are certainly better than they have been. Everyone was focused and didn't take them lightly."


UAlbany's Justin Gannon, a senior tailback, added a career-high 72 rushing yards on 11 attempts. Esposito completed 13 of 25 passes for 132 yards, while free safety Dave Casale recorded his 11th career interception. Saint Francis' Kelly threw for 176 yards, but had two passes picked off.. The Red Flash, who has respectable showings against nationally-ranked opponents in non-league play, was coming off a triple-overtime loss last week.

UAlbany 27, St. Francis 6 (10/03/2009 at Loretto, Pa.)

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Albany.............. 10 7 7 3 - 27 Record: (3-2,2-0)
St. Francis......... 3 3 0 0 - 6 Record: (1-4,0-2)



Scoring Summary:
1st 11:43 ALBANY - David McCarty 5 yd run (Herb Glass kick), 11-74 3:17, ALBANY 7 - SFU 0
07:31 SFU - THIEL, Josh 30 yd field goal, 8-31 4:12, ALBANY 7 - SFU 3
05:11 ALBANY - Herb Glass 38 yd field goal, 8-59 2:20, ALBANY 10 - SFU 3
2nd 09:16 ALBANY - Tim Bush 9 yd pass from Vinny Esposito (Herb Glass kick), 14-95 6:08, ALBANY 17 - SFU 3
03:30 SFU - THIEL, Josh 18 yd field goal, 6-19 2:48, ALBANY 17 - SFU 6
3rd 01:04 ALBANY - David McCarty 14 yd run (Herb Glass kick), 3-22 1:20, ALBANY 24 - SFU 6
4th 10:50 ALBANY - Herb Glass 27 yd field goal, 10-41 3:57, ALBANY 27 - SFU 6


Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football Holds Off Sacred Heart, 22-9, in Northeast Conference Opener at University Field - UAlbany Sports 2009

Albany, N.Y. - David McCarty rushed for 105 yards and one touchdown in leading UAlbany to a 22-9 victory over Sacred Heart in the Northeast Conference opener for both teams on Saturday, Sept. 26 at University Field. The Great Danes, who went unbeaten in league play the last two seasons, extended their conference win streak to 14 in a row.

Sacred Heart (0-3, NEC 0-1) closed within 16-9 on Matt Fisher's 23-yard field goal with 9:00 remaining. The Pioneers appeared to stop UAlbany (2-2, NEC 1-0) on the next offensive series. But on fourth-and-three at their own 43-yard line, the Great Danes' Andrew Smith ran for the first down off the faked punt.

Quarterback Vinny Esposito later threw a third-down, 31-yard completion to wide receiver Tim Bush to keep the sequence on schedule. McCarty then lugged the ball five consecutive times to the end zone with 3:58 to play. The senior tailback, who has run for 100 or more yards 21 times as a collegian, scored on a 4-yard blast, as he bounced off a defender and across the goal line.

"We were fortunate to win, but we had no turnovers and played fairly well on defense and in the kicking game," said UAlbany coach Bob Ford, whose program has the longest Division I FCS conference win skein. "We are struggling to sustain a drive on offense. On the other hand, the defense controlled things."

UAlbany's defense set up a pair of field goals in the first quarter for a 6-0 lead. Cornerback Jean Juste forced a fumble following a completed pass and defensive end Tony Sparano recovered, leading to Herb Glass' 24-yard kick. Linebacker Chris Wilk's first career interception and 30-yard return led to another field goal.

After Sacred Heart's Fisher kicked a 28-yard field goal in the second quarter, Emerson Kinsey broke clean on a 50-yard kickoff return. The Great Danes put together a nine-play scoring drive to build a 13-3 advantage. Esposito, who connected on 11 of 22 attempts for 144 yards, hit on three third-down passes to keep the series alive. He moved to his right and found Justin Gannon with a short pass in the flat and the senior tailback used his blocking en route to a 24-yard score.

Outside linebacker Rich Duff picked off starting quarterback Dale Fink late in the first half and rumbled 34 yards deep into SHU territory. Glass added his school-record third field goal, a 24-yard kick. The Pioneers sliced the deficit to 16-6 in the third quarter behind reserve signal-caller Tyler McKeon, who passed for 118 yards. The 12-play, 76-yard drive ended in Fisher's 21-yard field goal.

The Pioneers, who were coming off a bye week, looked to record their first win in this series since 2001 with a serious threat in the final period. McKeon, a 6-foot-2 sophomore, fired a 27-yard completion to Rich Rossi inside the Albany 1-yard line. However, the Great Danes stopped two rushing plays and sacked McKeon on third down to force Fisher to make his third field goal.

"We can't bend or break in that situation," explained UAlbany outside linebacker Dave Nicomini, who totaled five tackles, one sack and three pass break-ups. "It's an attitude that you are not going to let them in (the end zone). We made the plays."

The Great Danes, who broke a school mark that had stood since 1974 with their 10th consecutive home win, held the visitors to 267 total yards, including 71 on the ground. Gannon added 55 rushing yards to his touchdown reception.

"Their defense moved around with twists and stunts and that may have bothered us and messed with us up front," offered Esposito, whose club has won nine of 11 NEC openers since joining the league in 1999. "We moved the ball, but didn't finish drives. We are always trying to establish the run, but I need to get our receivers the football. I am confident we can do that."

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany 2009 FCS Football Begins Schedule with Perennial Power Georgia Southern on Saturday - UAlbany Sports 2009

Statesboro, Ga. - UAlbany begins its 2009 football schedule against Georgia Southern, one of the best NCAA Division I FCS programs at collecting hardware with six national championships and eight Southern Conference titles. Kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 5 is 6:00 p.m. Eastern. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-AM), beginning with the pre-game show. Rodger Wyland will provide the play-by-play from Paulson Stadium, an 18,000-seat facility.

The Eagles fielded one of the youngest FCS squads in the nation last season. The results were a 6-5 record that included three losses by a combined four points and victories in three of four overtime decisions. Quarterback Lee Chapple finished the 2008 campaign as the starter. He threw for 787 yards and five touchdowns. Adam Urbano is the top returning rusher with 304 yards and seven TDs. GSU has a veteran offensive line that is led by right tackle Cole Fountain, a 6-foot-3, 305-pound athlete.

Cornerback Ronnie Wiggins is among seven starters returning on defense. Wiggins, who has a 40-inch vertical leap, totaled 39 tackles and three interceptions. Adrian Mora, a preseason honorable mention All-America placekicker, made 10 of 12 field goals, including three 40-plus yarders, last year.

Bob Ford, who leads all active FCS head coaches with 234 career victories, has 14 starters back from a UAlbany squad that won its second consecutive Northeast Conference championship and became the first NEC team to win the Gridiron Classic. Walter Payton Award candidate David McCarty rushed for 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. Quarterback Vinny Esposito passed for 1,934 yards and 13 scores, plus ran for 10 TDs. All-NEC wide receiver Tim Bush broke the school's single-season receptions mark.

Dave Casale, a first-team All-ECAC and All-NEC free safety, leads a defense that ranked first in the league in points allowed and rushing yards. All-NEC inside linebacker Justin Brancaccio (91 tackles) and outside linebacker Dave Nicomini, who was granted an extra year by the NCAA due to a medical hardship, make the second level strong.

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

University of Albany FCS Football Tabbed NEC Favorite for Fourth Year Running - UAlbany Sports 2009

UAlbany stands as the unanimous favorite to capture the 2009 Northeast Conference football crown, which would be its third straight. The Great Danes received eight first-place votes to finish atop an annual survey of league’s head coaches for a fourth consecutive season. Monmouth, the 2008 NEC runner-up, garnered the lone remaining first-place nod to finish second in the preseason poll, the results of which were announced during a media teleconference Tuesday morning. The Conference also unveiled its Preseason All-NEC Team during the media session, which served as a prelude to the NEC’s 14th season on the gridiron.

Central Connecticut State, which has posted a winning conference record in each of the past five seasons, claimed third in the poll ahead of Sacred Heart in fourth and Robert Morris in fifth. Embarking on its second NEC season, Duquesne was chosen sixth while new league member Bryant took seventh. Wagner, in eighth, and Saint Francis (PA), in ninth, round out the preseason selections. 2009 Northeast Conference
Football
Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Albany (8)
2. Monmouth (1)
3. Central Conn. St.
4. Sacred Heart
5. Robert Morris
6. Duquesne
7. Bryant
8. Wagner
9. Saint Francis (PA)

First place votes in parentheses ( ).

The Northeast Conference kicks off the 2009 campaign on September 5 when all nine of its members take the field. Monmouth will host Duquesne to open the league schedule on September 19 in front of a NEC-TV audience, but it is not until October 3 that the NEC slate steps into full swing.

No program in Northeast Conference history has secured three consecutive outright league crowns, let alone three straight undefeated seasons. Not having lost a conference game since the 2006 season finale, Albany (9-3, 7-0 NEC) has the opportunity to accomplish both feats in 2009 and reigning NEC Coach of the Year Bob Ford welcomes back six preseason all-NEC performers to help in the effort. Walter Payton Award candidate David McCarty (Gansevoort, NY/LaSalle Institute), the league’s all-time single-season rushing leader (1,852), returns for his senior season at tailback. After moving from flanker into the backfield prior to the 2007 campaign, McCarty has rushed for a program-record 3,355 yards and 26 touchdowns in 24 games as the starter.

The Great Danes enjoy continuity at the other offense skill positions as well. All-NEC receiver Tim Bush (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs), who gained a fifth year of eligibility due to medical hardship, owns Albany’s single-season receptions record (67). Senior quarterback Vinny Esposito (Demarest, NJ/Northern Valley Regional) has a 17-7 career record as a starter and has thrown for 25 touchdowns to only 16 interceptions during that span.

Despite opening the 2008 season with three of four games against top-10 teams in FCS, Albany managed to lead the NEC in both scoring defense (18.2 ppg) and rushing defense (119.1 ypg). The Great Danes’ three preseason all-NEC selections had much to do with that. Sophomore defensive end Eddie Delaney (Holtsville, NY/Sachem East) made 37 tackles and broke up six passes. Senior captain Justin Brancaccio led the linebacking corps with 91 tackles. Meanwhile, senior Dave Casale (Troy, NY/Troy) was all over field in making 74 tackles and seven interceptions.

Monmouth (7-4, 6-1 NEC) has not finished lower than third in the Northeast Conference standings since 2002. The perennial title contender was the league’s runner-up in 2007, falling only to NEC champion Albany on the road. Selected second in the preseason poll for the third straight season, Monmouth sets out in search of its sixth conference crown, and first since 2006. The last time the Hawks sunk their claws into the NEC crown, Dave Sinisi (Cedar Grove, NJ/Cedar Grove) was in his first year of duty as the starting tailback. Three seasons, 3,612 rushing yards, and one NEC Offensive Player of the Year award later, Sinisi would love to close his collegiate career in the same fashion he started it. The three-time all-NEC tailback, who rushed for 1,674 yards and a NCAA-best 22 touchdowns in 2008, is one of five returning starters on offense. The four others are on the offensive line. Senior captains Kevin Sterling (Marlton, NJ/Cherokee) and Shawn Wright (Fort Washington, MD/Dematha) return to a unit that not only paved the way for 192.7 yards per game rushing, but also provided premium protection for the passer. Monmouth ranked eighth amongst Division I FCS teams in surrendering only nine sacks in 11 games. Monmouth will miss 2008 NEC Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Walsh, but the former defensive end is only one of three starters lost from the NEC’s second-ranked scoring defense (20.5 ppg). Fifth-year senior David Kennedy (Fort Lee, NJ/Paterson Catholic) returns to his interior line position from which he recorded 10.0 tackles for loss, including 5.5 sacks, last season. Starting free safety Jose Gumbs (Queens, NY, Hebron Academy) is the reigning NEC Defensive of the Year after making 60 tackles (43 solo) in 10 games last season.


The rushes and wins have piled up since Jeff McInerney’s arrival in New Britain. Central Connecticut State’s (7-4, 4-3 NEC) ground attack has ranked amongst the nation’s top 10 in each of the head coach’s three seasons at the helm, a span during which the Blue Devils own a 21-12 record. One of the NEC’s three 1500-yard rushers last season, running back James Mallory (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) will be the focal point of a run game that features a mobile quarterback as well. Seniors Aubrey Norris (Staten Island, NY/Hargrave Military) and Hunter Wanket (Rancho Santa Fe, CA/Palomar JC), both dangerously athletic, shared the snaps last season.

After earning 2007 all-NEC honors at tight end, Greg Grochowski (Bristol, CT/Bristol Eastern) made a successful transition to tackle where he played eight games in 2008 and will likely start again as a senior. Senior Anthony Pineiro (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) earned all-league honors as a sophomore guard and will attempt to the repeat the feat as a senior center. The defensive front will miss former all-NEC end Ernie Greywacz, but the conference’s sacks leader returns in the form of Ray Saunders (Temple Hills, MD/Oxon Hill). The vaunted pass rusher earned first team all-NEC accolades along with junior cornerback Alondre Rush (Middletown, CT/Xavier).

Sacred Heart (8-3, 4-3 NEC) was the NEC’s most improved team a year ago. Following a 3-8 record and winless conference showing in 2007, the Pioneers won seven of their first eight games of 2008 to surge up the standings. Possibly even more impressive was that Sacred Heart did not surrender a quarterback sack for the season’s first seven games. Four of the five offensive linemen who provided premium protection to all-NEC quarterback Dale Fink (Swansea, IL/Althoff Catholic) are back, including second team all-league tackle Justin Smith (Binghamton, NY/Binghamton).

Now a seasoned signal caller heading into his third season as a starter, Fink will lead an offense that scored 29.1 points per game a year ago. The league’s most-efficient passer (140.3 rating) is fortunate enough to have one of the league’s most-accomplished receivers on his side. Senior Steve Tedesco (Mission Viejo, CA/Trabuco Hills) set the conference single-season record for receptions (77). Sixth-year head coach Paul Gorham also welcomes back senior defensive leaders, and preseason all-NEC selections, Bill O’Brien (Lafayette, NY/Lafayette) and Andre Isla (Brookhaven, NY/Bellport). O’Brien made 61 tackles, 8.0 for a loss, from his lineman spot while Isla made 50 tackles and four interceptions at safety.

The growing pains were evident for Robert Morris (5-6, 4-3 NEC) during its 1-4 start to the 2008 season, but the Colonials congealed on their way to finishing in a tie for third place in the NEC standings. RMU won four of its final six games to finish with a winning NEC record for the ninth time in 13 seasons under legendary head coach Joe Walton. The second-half surge and the return of its numerous culprits have Robert Morris thinking about its first NEC title since 2000. The Colonials welcome back 17 starters (not including specialists), including second team all-NEC tailback Myles Russ (Boca Raton, FL/West Boca), who totaled 1,255 yards and six touchdowns on 215 carries as a sophomore. Amongst Robert Morris’ 10 returning defensive starters are a trio of all-NEC performers, one in each line of defense. Senior defensive end Mark Szymanksi (Cadogan, PA/Ford City) has made 24.0 tackles for loss over the past two seasons as a starter. One year after transferring from Temple, junior linebacker Alex DiMichele (Pittsburgh, PA/Sto-Rox) made 116 tackles to rank fourth amongst NEC leaders. Senior safety Michael Landers (Springdale, PA/Springdale) defended a league-high 15 passes last season and recovered three fumbles.

One season after bringing its tradition-rich program into the Northeast Conference, Duquesne (3-7, 2-5 NEC) looks to establish itself as a contender. The Dukes won their inaugural league game, a 21-7 decision over western Pennsylvanian rival Saint Francis, but triumphed only once more during the remainder of the seven-game NEC slate. Duquesne, which captured an unprecedented 11 league titles as a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference member, has an early opportunity to make a statement when it opens the 2009 NEC schedule, and television package, at five-time league champion Monmouth on September 19.

Junior quarterback Connor Dixon (South Park, PA/South Park) led the NEC in passing yards per game (211.0) during his first season after transferring from Michigan State. Dixon, who threw a single-game program-record six TD passes in last year’s opener at Bucknell, became more familiar with senior tight end Sean Bunevich (North Ridgeville, OH/North Ridgeville) as the season progressed. The Dukes’ top returning receiver averaged 64.9 yards per game. Junior linebacker Nathan Totino (Pittsburgh, PA/Seton-LaSalle) is the leader on the defense. The hard-hitting Totino was a first team all-NEC pick after making 110 tackles in nine games.

Bryant (7-4) enters its first season as a Northeast Conference member not far off from being a contender. Competing as an independent in 2008 when they began the NCAA reclassifying process, the Bulldogs defeated four of the six NEC members they faced. Head coach Marty Fine welcomes back 17 of 22 starters, 10 of whom played for one of the stingiest run defenses (99.4 ypg) in Division I FCS. Senior linebacker Pat Polomski (Franklin, MA/Franklin) made a team-high 67 tackles in his third season as a starter while classmate Don Smith (Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) tallied 8.5 sacks, broke up seven passes, and was credited with nine quarterback hurries from his defensive end position. Senior tailback Jerrell Smith (Brooklyn, NY/St. Francis Prep), who takes aim at a second consecutive 1,000-yard season, highlights a list of seven returning starters on offense. Smith posted averages of 6.2 yards per carry and 114.0 yards per contest, while Lindsey Gamble (Boston, MA/Reading Memorial) added 79.2 yards per game and scored a team-high seven touchdowns in 2008.

Wagner (3-8, 1-6 NEC) hasn’t stumbled very often under long-time head coach Walt Hameline. The few times the Seahawks have stubbed their toe, they’ve rebounded rather quickly. Wagner’s uncharacteristic 3-8 record last season marked only the third sub-.500 campaign in Hameline’s 28 years at the helm. The Seahawks had no shortage of injuries, one of which ended offensive lineman Matt Martin’s (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) season in September. The sight fifth-year senior, who has proven effective at both guard and tackle, in the trenches will be a welcomed one by Hameline.

Martin and his line mates will be protecting either Adam Farnsworth (Ogden, UT/Weber) or Tyler Newberry (Germantown, MD/Mercerburg Prep) in the pocket. The former was hampered by a bad shoulder, which required offseason surgery, during his first season after transferring from Iowa. Meanwhile, Newberry has seen limited action in two seasons as a reserve, but impressed during last season’s spring game. Bruising back Shane Smith (Susquehanna, PA/Honesdale), a senior, was the team’s top rusher (79.9 ypg) during what was his first season after transferring from Central Florida. Wagner lost two-time all-NEC selection Robert Brown, who graduated, from its defensive front, but returns all-league talent to its backfield in the form of Stefan Gage (Syracuse, NY/Henninger). The 2008 second team all-NEC pick made 95 tackles and defended four passes from his safety spot.

From facilities to performance, Saint Francis (PA) (0-11, 0-7 NEC) has made great gains as a program under eighth-year head coach Dave Opfar. The Red Flash enter the 2009 season with a new weight training facility, one of numerous upgrades the athletic department has made in recent years, and a number of all-NEC performers to use it. Injuries, mistakes, and bad breaks prevented the Red Flash from taking another step forward and were key culprits to a winless 2008. Still, optimism remains for the Flash.

The Red Flash defense features a feared linebacking corps headed by two-time first team all-NEC selection Scott Lewis (South Fork, PA/Bishop McCort). The Keystone State native followed up his 2007 NEC Rookie of the Year award by setting the conference’s single-season tackles record (142). Fellow sophomore Matthew Parker (Darlington, PA/Blackhawk) made 122 stops, ninth-most in league history, en-route to second team all-NEC accolades. After all-league receiver Antoine Rivera (Willingboro, NJ/Willingboro) went down with a season-ending knee injury in week three, Omar Winston (Cleveland, OH/Cleveland) stepped up to catch 56 passes. The sure-handed Winston impressed enough to win all-league second team honors and now returns for his junior season alongside a healthy Rivera. In 2007, his last full season, Rivera made 48 catches for a NEC-best 885 yards and seven touchdowns.

UAlbany Great Danes Place 13 on All-Conference Football Team; Bob Ford Named Coach of the Year

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Somerset, N.J. -- University at Albany’s Raphael Nguti and Tom Pandolf lead a group of twelve players who have been named to the 2008 All-Northeast Conference Football Team, as announced on Monday, Dec. 1 by the conference office. The Great Danes, who matched the 2002 squad’s total with eight first-team selections, placed 13 players on the all-conference squad. Bob Ford was voted NEC Coach of the Year after leading the program to its second consecutive conference championship and back-to-back undefeated league records.

Nguti, a senior offensive tackle, and Pandolf, a senior defensive tackle, are first-team all-conference members for the second year in row. Nguti, a 6-foot-7, 330-pound left tackle, blocked for an offense that is ranked 22nd among the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) leaders in rushing at 190.5 yards per game, including a 221.6 average against conference teams. Pandolf leads a defense that has kept five straight teams under 300 total yards and is 23rd nationally in points allowed (19.8 ppg). He has 63 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three pass deflections.

David McCarty, the nation’s third-leading rusher and 2008 team MVP, punter Chris Lynch and safety Dave West each make their second appearance on the all-conference squad. McCarty, who averages 143.7 yards per game, moved up to the first team this season. He established the program’s single-season rushing (1,581) and career rushing (3,082) standards on Nov. 15. McCarty, who has scored a touchdown in 19 straight contests, also eclipsed records for single-season (10) and career (18) 100-yards rushing games. Lynch, who was also a first-team selection two years ago as a sophomore, is averaging 40.6 yards per punt. He has a pair of 70-yard kicks this season. West also worked up to the All-NEC first team this year. He was fourth on the team in tackles (59) and added two forced fumbles, two pass break-ups and one interception.

Free safety Dave Casale, inside linebacker Justin Brancaccio and wide receiver Tim Bush were also voted to this year’s first team. Casale established the program’s FCS single-season record with six interceptions. He also had 73 tackles and six PBUs. Brancaccio led the team in tackles with 83 and anchored a run defense that limited five opponents to less than 100 yards on the ground. Bush hauled in 58 passes for 697 yards and five touchdowns. He broke the single-season receptions mark held by Dan Gmelin since 1997.

Kevin Richards, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound center, is among five players who received second-team All-NEC recognition. Richards, who is on the squad for the second consecutive year, was named along with offensive tackle Jon Leible (6-5, 285) and offensive guard Nik Schultz (6-2, 285). UAlbany’s offensive line, which blocked for a unit that averaged 354.7 yards per game, had four linemen on the all-league team for the third straight season. Defensive end Eddie Delaney, a redshirt freshman who plays without a left hand and takes daily insulin shots to control diabetes, also made the second team. Delaney (6-6, 235) has 35 tackles, 1.5 sacks and is tied for first on the team in PBUs (6). Justin Gannon was chosen as a return specialist. He averaged 81.2 all-purpose yards as a tailback, punt returner and kick returner.

Ford, at age 71, was named the NEC’s top coach for the third time in his career after having previously won the award in 2002 and 2007. Under his direction, the Great Danes captured their fourth conference title. UAlbany became the second team in league history to go undefeated against conference opposition in back-to-back seasons. Ford, who is first among active Division I FCS coaches with 233 career victories, led his team to its second straight Gridiron Classic berth.

UAlbany (8-3, NEC 7-0) hosts Pioneer Football League champion Jacksonville (9-3, PFL 7-1) in the third annual Gridiron Classic on Saturday, Dec. 6 at University Field. Kickoff is 1:30 p.m. YES Network will televise the postseason game to a regional and national audience.

NEC Football Champion UAlbany Awaits Opponent for Gridiron Classic on Saturday, Dec. 6

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. – After winning its second consecutive Northeast Conference football championship last Saturday, UAlbany awaits its opponent for the Gridiron Classic, an exempted postseason game that the Great Danes will host on Saturday, Dec. 6 at a time to be determined. The Pioneer Football League champion will be decided on Nov. 22 when Dayton travels to Jacksonville.

UAlbany (8-3, NEC 7-0) became just the second team in NEC history to go undefeated against conference opposition in back-to-back seasons with last Saturday’s 30-11 victory over Wagner. The Great Danes, who own the longest active Division I FCS conference streak with 13 straight wins in league play, captured their fourth NEC crown and third championship outright.

A clash of high-caliber defenses and offenses will be featured in Saturday’s Pioneer League championship game. Dayton (9-2, PFL 6-1) is ranked No. 1 in rushing defense (53.5 ypg), plus is ranked fourth in points allowed (15.0 ppg) and fifth in total defense (250.4 ypg). DE Scott Vossler (37 tackles, 7.5 sacks) and S Scott Vossler (67 tackles, 10 PBUs) lead the unit. Jacksonville (8-3, PFL 6-1) is 14th nationally in scoring offense (34.7 ppg) and 22nd in total offense (402.9 ypg). RB Rudell Small, the league’s offensive player of the week, is averaging 112.1 rushing yards and has scored 15 touchdowns. The Dolphins are coached by former University of Florida and professional quarterback Kerwin Bell.



UAlbany Paw Prints

... UAlbany will make its second consecutive Gridiron Classic appearance on Dec. 6 ... Dayton defeated the Great Danes, 42-21, at Welcome Stadium last year ...

... the Great Danes have posted seven straight wins, tying the third longest active streak among NCAA Division I FCS programs ... James Madison (9) and Appalachian State (8) are the lone teams with longer streaks ...

... UAlbany has the longest active FCS conference streak with 13 straight wins against league opponents ...

... UAlbany is the second team in NEC history to go unbeaten against league opponents in back-to-back seasons ... Robert Morris accomplished that feat in 1999 and 2000 ...

... the Great Danes have tied their highest single-season win total at the FCS level ... UAlbany went 8-4 in both 2002 and 2007 ...

... TB David McCarty (LaSalle Institute) shattered five school records last Saturday, including career rushing yards (3,082) and single-season rushing yards (1,581) ...

... WR Tim Bush (Saratoga Springs) caught 10 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns vs. Wagner, and broke Dan Gmelin’s single-season receptions record (58) ...

... McCarty has won or shared NEC Offensive Player of the Week honors five times this season ...

... the Great Danes' defensive unit has held five consecutive opponents under 300 total yards ...

... FS Dave Casale (Troy) set the the program’s FCS single-season standard with his sixth interception ...

UAlbany Entertains Wagner Today with Chance to Wrap Up NEC Football Championship

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Albany, N.Y. -- UAlbany meets Northeast Conference opponent Wagner in the final regular-season football game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 15 at University Field. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. The Great Danes, who have already earned a Gridiron Classic berth, can capture the conference championship outright with a victory. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980, WOFX-AM.

Wagner (3-7, NEC 1-5) has 16 seniors returning from last year’s 7-4 squad, but key injuries and turnovers have plagued the current season. Despite those challenges, the Seahawks’ defense has been a consistent force. Wagner is ranked No. 11 among the Division I FCS national leaders in total defense (284.4 ypg) and third in passing yards allowed (127.1 pg). Defensive end Robert Brown was named to the 2007 Associated Press All-America squad and was chosen NEC preseason defensive player of the year. The Seahawks have used two quarterbacks for most of the season. Iowa transfer Adam Farnsworth has passed for 910 yards and six touchdowns. Matt Abbey, a three-year starter, has thrown for 792 yards and four scores.

UAlbany (7-3, NEC 6-0) clinched a share of the league title in last Saturday’s 41-7 victory at Robert Morris. The Great Danes extended their winning streak to six straight, the program’s second longest at the FCS level. Free safety Dave Casale, the ECAC and NEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, had two interceptions and returned one for a 23-yard score. UAlbany held their fourth consecutive opponent to less than 300 total yards. Tailback David McCarty, the nation’s third-leading rusher with 1,477 yards and eight TDs, can become the school’s all-time leader in that category against Wagner. Defensive tackle Tom Pandolf will be one of 14 seniors honored in a pre-game ceremony.

UAlbany's McCarty, Casale & Kinsey Receive Northeast Conference Weekly Football Awards

Courtesy: UAlbany Sports Information

Somerset, N.J. -- Unniversity at Albany’s David McCarty been selected the Northeast Conference Offensive Player of the Week in football, as announced on Monday, Nov. 10 by the conference office. McCarty has won or shared the award five times this season. UAlbany’s Dave Casale was tabbed as the NEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week, while Emerson Kinsey was chosen NEC Special Teams Player of the Week.

McCarty, a junior tailback from Gansevoort, N.Y., rushed for 129 yards and one touchdown as his team clinched a share of the conference title with a 41-7 victory over Robert Morris. McCarty, who also caught three passes for 30 yards, extended his school-record touchdown streak to 18 straight games when he scored on a 26-yard scamper in the first quarter. He tied the school’s single-season record with his ninth 100-yard rushing game of the year and equaled Gary Jones’ career standard of 17 games over the century mark. McCarty is third nationally among the Division I FCS rushing leaders at 147.7 yards per game.

Casale, a junior free safety from Troy, N.Y., earned the league’s defensive award for the second time this season. He totaled seven tackles, including four unassisted, intercepted two passes and added a pass break-up. His first interception led to a last-second touchdown pass in the second quarter and a 21-7 halftime lead. Casale also returned a tipped ball 23 yards to the end zone with 6:15 remaining in the third period. He leads the team in interceptions (5) and pass break-ups (5) and is second in tackles with 71.

Kinsey, a junior outside linebacker from Syracuse, N.Y., blocked a punt in the first quarter to set up a one-yard touchdown run and a 14-0 lead. He also had two tackles and one sack for minus-9 yards, as the Great Danes held Robert Morris to 215 total yards, including 59 on the ground. Kinsey has 20 tackles and four pass deflections this season.

UAlbany (7-3, NEC 6-0) meets Wagner in the regular-season finale at University Field on Saturday, Nov. 15. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. The Great Danes can win the NEC crown outright with a victory.



Paw Prints: UAlbany has grabbed a share of the Northeast Conference championship and a Gridiron Classic berth ... the Great Danes will host the Pioneer Football League champion on Saturday, Dec. 6 at University Field ... Dayton and Jacksonville will most likely play for the PFL title on Nov. 22 ... UAlbany has won six in a row, tying the fifth longest active streak among NCAA FCS programs ... the Great Danes have registered six or more conference wins for the fifth time as a conference member ... TB David McCarty needs 56 yards to break the school’s career rushing record and 51 yards to break the UAlbany standard for all-purpose running ... QB Vinny Esposito has become the first UAlbany passer to throw for 200 or more yards three times in the same season at the FCS level ... FS Dave Casale has tied the program’s FCS mark for single-season interceptions with five ... UAlbany’s defense has held four opponents under 100 rushing yards this season ...

UAlbany Football Coach Ford Shooting For 2nd Straight NEC Championship And Undefeated NEC Season

An emotional comeback against Monmouth last week put the University at Albany football team in the driver's seat for its second straight Northeast Conference title.

This morning, the Great Danes will be passengers on an eight-hour bus trip to the Pittsburgh area for Saturday's game at Robert Morris.

UAlbany coach Bob Ford has warned his players they must keep their focus because their business is not yet finished.

"That's the challenge both for me and the kids and the coaching staff," Ford said. "Get down to earth. That was a great win last week. Put it behind us."

With a victory, the Great Danes would clinch at least a share of the Northeast Conference title and earn a berth in the Gridiron Classic, a postseason game that pits an NEC representative against the Pioneer League champion.

"If we're going to have a shot at this, I'd like to be champions, not co-champions," he said. "Second, we've got a shot at the bowl game."

The Great Danes (6-3 overall, 5-0 NEC) have a one-game lead over Monmouth and Sacred Heart with two to play. UAlbany closes at home against Wagner next week. Even if UAlbany finishes tied for first with Monmouth or Sacred Heart, the Great Danes would get the Gridiron berth by virtue of wins over both teams.

UAlbany would host the Gridiron Classic on Dec. 6 at University Field. The Great Danes lost that game at Dayton 42-21 last year.

UAlbany is also trying to become the second NEC team to go undefeated in league play two years in a row. Robert Morris was the other in 1999 and 2000.

"It's awesome," UAlbany junior tailback David McCarty said. "We have a chance to do something very special. And I hope everybody else on the team knows what we can do and I think that will be a key factor in the way we play on Saturday."

McCarty can become the school's career rushing leader on Saturday. He has 2,849 yards, 184 behind leader Gary Jones of Ravena.

Jones gained his 3,033 in two seasons (2002-03) after transferring from Hudson Valley Community College.

Ford believes McCarty, who has three 200-yard games this season, could be in for another big day against Robert Morris (4-5, 3-2).

"I think we've got a better offensive line and offensive group than they do defensively," Ford said. "I'll be surprised if we don't run the ball hard and a lot."

Ford is concerned about Colonials quarterback Erik Cwalinski, who has passed for 1,871 yards and 15 touchdowns. Cwalinski is complemented by halfback Myles Russ, eighth nationally with 123.2 yards per game.

"They're a team we've really got to be careful of," Ford said.

Cwalinski has completed at least 10 passes each to seven receivers.

"They've got a young group of receivers, but they're all doing well," said UAlbany safety Dave Casale. "They look for big plays."

Mark Singelais can be reached at 454-5509 or by e-mail at msingelais@timesunion.com.


At a glance

UALBANY at ROBERT MORRIS

Records: UAlbany 6-3 overall, 5-0 NEC; Robert Morris 4-5, 3-2

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday, Joe Walton Stadium, Moon Township, Pa.

Radio: WOFX 980 AM

By MARK SINGELAIS