University at Albany 2009 UAlbany Football Northeast Conference Football Champion, 2002, 2003, 2007 & 2008 UAlbany Great Danes (6-4, NEC 5-2) vs. Wagner Seahawks (6-4, NEC 5-2) GAME #11: Saturday, November 21, 2009 Wagner College Stadium (3,300 / FieldTurf) Staten Island, N.Y., 1:00 p.m. Eastern TELEVISION COVERAGE Fox College Sports will air the UAlbany-Wagner game as part of the Northeast Conference television package. The broadcast will be shown locally on Time Warner Cable (TW3). Paul Dottino, the New York Giants gameday reporter for WFAN/Giants Radio Network, will handle the play-by-play. Matt Harmon is the analyst. RADIO COVERAGE Fox Sports 980 (WOFX-AM) will again air the entire University at Albany football schedule. Rodger Wyland, the sports director at WNYT-TV (NewsChannel 13), serves as the WOFX Radio play-by-play announcer with Greg Tobben working as the color analyst. UALBANY vs. WAGNER The Great Danes and Wagner are meeting for the 13th time on the gridiron. UAlbany has won 11 of the previous 12 contests, including last year's 30-11 triumph. TB David McCarty rushed for 104 yards and one touchdown and WR Tim Bush caught a pair of scoring passes. LAST GAME - Robert Morris, Nov. 7 Garrett Clawson made a 20-yard field goal with no time remaining in leading Robert Morris to a 13-10 NEC victory over UAlbany on Nov. 7. The Great Danes drew even at 10 apiece with 7:58 to play when QB Vinny Esposito threw an 11-yard scoring pass to TE Paul Booker. Robert Morris drove nearly the length of the field for the winning points, holding on to the ball for the final five minutes and 38 seconds. QB Camdin Crouse hit a 22-yard pass and had a third-down completion to keep the series alive. HB Myles Russ rushed for 87 yards on 31 carries. ABOUT UALBANY: In 2008, the Great Danes won the Northeast Conference championship for the second consecutive season and became the first NEC program to be crowned Gridiron Classic champions. UAlbany (9-3, NEC 7-0) was just the second conference team to go undefeated against league opposition in back-to-back years. Head coach Bob Ford, who has 14 starters returning from last year's squad, is in his 41st season as a college head coach. The Great Danes are led by All-America tailback David McCarty, who rushed for 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns. Quarterback Vinny Esposito passed for 1,934 yards and 13 TDs. All-NEC receiver Tim Bush broke the single-season mark with 67 receptions for 794 yards and five TDs. Dave Casale, a first-team All-ECAC and All-NEC free safety, leads a unit that was first in the league in scoring defense and rushing yards allowed. All-NEC linebacker Justin Brancaccio (91 tackles) and outside linebacker Dave Nicomini make the second level strong. UALBANY QUICK HITS... UAlbany is tied for second place in the Northeast Conference standings with Wagner, one game behind Central Conn. State...... If Central Conn. State loses its final game, UAlbany can earn a share of its fifth Northeast Conference title with a win at Wagner...... UAlbany has reached the seven-win mark in seven of its previous 10 seasons at the NCAA Division I FCS level...... Bob Ford ranks sixth among the FCS all-time leaders in career victories with 240... the legendary Eddie Robinson tops that list...... UAlbany's had won 12 straight at home prior to the RMU loss on Nov. 7... the Great Danes previously won nine in a row from 1973-74...... the Great Danes conference-record run of 18 consecutive wins against league opponents came to an end on Oct. 31...... WR Tim Bush is the school's career receptions leader (142), breaking Dan Gmelin's record set from 1994-97...... QB Vinny Esposito has moved into second place on UAlbany's career total offense chart with 5,691 yards...... TB David McCarty, who is on the Walter Payton Award Watch List, is third on the NEC's all-time rushing list with 4,270 yards...... McCarty needs one touchdown to tie Gary Jones' career record (42) and six points to match the career scoring mark (252)...... ILB Justin Brancaccio, who had a season-high 12 tackles vs. Robert Morris, is ninth on the school's all-time list with 252...... UAlbany ended a string of seven straight losses to national top-25 opponents in a 20-16 victory over No. 20 Maine on Sept. 19...... the Great Danes have won or shared four Northeast Conference championships (2002, 2003, 2007 & 2008)...... the NFL's New York Giants have made the UAlbany campus its summer training camp home since 1996... ABOUT WAGNER: The Seahawks are playing for a share of the Northeast Conference crown and a Gridiron Classic berth. Wagner (6-4, NEC 5-2) posted a four-game win streak in league play for the first time since 1996, but Robert Morris ended that run with last week's 37-10 decision. The Seahawks have been the NEC's most improved team after being picked eighth in the conference preseason poll. Wagner's offense has been dynamic and ranks 24th among the national FCS 2009 UAlbany Football Schedule Sept. 5 (Sat.) at Georgia Southern 29-26, L Sept. 12 (Sat.) at #17/18 Massachusetts 44-7, L Sept. 19 (Sat.) #20/19 Maine 20-16, W Sept. 26 (Sat.) Sacred Heart* 22-9, W Oct. 3 (Sat.) at St. Francis, Pa.* 27-6, W Oct. 10 (Sat.) Duquesne* 55-10, W Oct. 17 (Sat.) Bryant* 20-17, W Oct. 24 (Sat.) at Monmouth* 35-10, W Oct. 31 (Sat.) at Central Conn. State* 31-29, L Nov. 7 (Sat.) Robert Morris* 13-10, L Nov. 21 (Sat.) at Wagner* 1:00 *Northeast Conference Opponent ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS Brian DePasquale, Assistant Athletics Director/Media Relations (O) 518-442-3072 (FAX) 518-442-3139 e-mail: bdepasquale@uamail.albany.edu ALBANY SPORTSLINE (518) 442-DANE We're on 24 hours a day with up-to-date information. www.ualbanysports.com www.twitter.com/ualbanysports
leaders in both scorng (31.0 ppg) and rushing (173.1 ypg). QB Nick Doscher makes the attack work with his ability to run and throw. Doscher, a 22-year-old freshman, originally pursued a professional baseball career as an eighth-round pick by the Kansas City Royals. He has passed for 1,174 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for 691 yards and 12 TDs. He is the first Wagner quarterback to run for 100- plus yards in a game in 42 years and has been named NEC rookie of the week five times. Dominique Williams has been sidelined the last three games with an injury. The freshman tailback had run for 541 yards and eight scores. Eric Foxworth, who ran for 79 yards last week, and Jeremy Martinez, who had a career-high 127 on the ground against Sacred Heart, have worked in Williams' place. Lon Woods is one of the NEC's top receivers with 42 catches for 587 yards and five touchdowns. Woods, who also averages 24.4 yards per kickoff return, is fourth in receptions (132) and eighth in receiving yards (1,733) on the program's all-time lists. RG Matt Martin (6-4, 315) has played in 40 career games and anchors the offensive line. LB Keith Davis, who is in his first year with the program, leads the defense in tackles (62) and hits for a loss (7.0). He had a team-high 11 stops at Robert Morris. CB Jorel Joseph adds 57 tackles, three pass break-ups and three forced fumbles. FS Chaz Leggett, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, has 68 tackles, four PBUs and two interceptions. He scored the game-winning TD vs. Sacred Heart on an INT runback. NT Joseph Harkins is an imposing figure at 6-foot-1 and 275 pounds. The senior has 26.5 career tackles for a loss. Harkins has 36 tackles and six TFLs this season. Syracuse transfer Kyle Muir is 12th nationally in punting with a 41.4 average and has placed 16 kicks inside the 20- yard line. PK David Lopez has made four field goals and 34 of 37 PATs. HEAD COACH: Wagner's Walt Hameline is in his 29th season as head coach. He has an 195-109-2 career record. Hameline, who ranks among active Division I FCS coaches in victories and winning percentage, has led the program to 21 winning campaigns. Under his direction, the Seahawks captured the 1987 Division III national championship, made three NCAA appearances, and has won five ECAC titles. Hameline, who is also the school's director of athletics, was an assistant on Bob Ford's UAlbany staff in 1976-77. He has been inducted into the Utica (N.Y.) Sports Hall of Fame and served as NEC president. THE SERIES: UAlbany and Wagner are meeting for the 13th time on the gridiron. The Great Danes have won 11 of the previous 12 contests, including last year's 30-11 decision that clinched the NEC title. TB David McCarty rushed for 104 yards and one touchdown and WR Tim Bush caught a pair of scoring passes. In 2007, QB Vinny Esposito threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to break a 3-3 deadlock in the second quarter. McCarty, who ran for 125 yards, added a 14-yard scoring burst later in the period. CB Ross Bertrand's interception led to TB Omar Johnson's 3-yard TD blast in the final period. Wagner's Jason Butler rushed for 116 yards. In 2006, the Great Danes posted a 38-0 shutout. OLB Trevor DuPont scored on a 22-yard interception return and UAlbany held the Seahawks to 140 total yards. Wagner's last win in the series was a 38-30 triumph on Sept. 23, 2000. RB John Campbell ran for two fourthquarter touchdowns in the come-from-behind performance. All-Time Series Record Nov. 16, 1985: Albany 15, Wagner 10 (Wagner Stadium) Nov. 9, 1991: Albany 29, Wagner 19 (University Field) Oct. 9, 1999: Albany 37, Wagner 21 (Wagner Stadium) Sept. 23, 2000: Wagner 38, Albany 30 (University Field) Sept. 22, 2001: Albany 35, Wagner 30 (Wagner Stadium) Oct. 5, 2002: Albany 35, Wagner 14 (University Field) Nov. 1, 2003: Albany 28, Wagner 7 (Wagner Stadium) Oct. 30, 2004: Albany 35, Wagner 27 (University Field) Oct. 29, 2005: Albany 38, Wagner 10 (Wagner Stadium) Oct. 28, 2006: Albany 34, Wagner 0 (University Field) Oct. 27, 2007: Albany 24, Wagner 10 (Wagner Stadium) Nov. 15, 2008: Albany 30, Wagner 11 (University Field) FORD BUILT: UAlbany's Bob Ford, a 2008 finalist for Sports Network's Eddie Robinson Award, is first among active NCAA Division I FCS coaches with 240 career victories. He is also sixth on the all-time FCS chart. Ford, the architect of the UAlbany program, has a 231-147 career record in his 37th varsity season as head coach at the school. Under his direction, the Great Danes have moved from the club level in 1970 to its present NCAA Division I FCS status. Ford, who has a 240-169-1 career record at the collegiate level, earned his 200th UAlbany win in a 20-17 victory against Robert Morris in 2005. More than 100 of Bob Ford's assistant coaches are currently working in the professional, college and high school ranks. Dave Campo, a former UAlbany graduate assistant in 1973, is the defensive backs coach of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys. Tony Wise, a former NFL assistant, is on the University of Pittsburgh staff. Dave Clawson was recently appointed Bowling Green's head coach. Ford assistants who are Division I FCS head coaches include Kevin Morris (UMass), Al Bagnoli (Pennsylvania), Dave Cohen (Hofstra), Pete Lembo (Elon), Kevin Callahan (Monmouth), Walt Hameline (Wagner) and Chuck Priore (Stony Brook). 2009 NEC STANDINGS: Central Connecticut State has taken over first place in the NEC standings. NEC Standings: 1. Central Conn. (8-2, NEC 6-1), T2. Albany (6-4, 5-2), T2. Wagner (6-4, 5-2), T4. Monmouth (5-5, 4-3), T5. Robert Morris (4-6, 4-3), 6. Bryant (4-6, 3-4), 7. Duquesne (3-7, 2-5), 8. Sacred Heart (2-8, 2-6), 9. St. Francis, Pa. (2-8, 1-6). SEVEN WINS: UAlbany has reached the seven-win mark in seven of 10 seasons at the Division I FCS level. The Great Danes own a 73-47 record as a NCAA Division I FCS program. UAlbany has registered seven-plus victories 17 times in its history. The Great Danes set the program's single-season FCS record with nine wins in 2008. UAlbany's Record (since 1996) -- 1996: 7-3 (NCAA Division II Independent); 1997: 11-1 (Eastern Football Conference Champions); 1998: 10-1 (Eastern Football Conference Champions). 1999: 7-2, NEC 6-1 (First NCAA Division I FCS Season); 2000: 5-6, NEC 5-3; 2001: 7-3, NEC 5-2; 2002: 8-4, NEC 6-1 (Northeast Conference and ECAC Champions). 2003: 7-4, NEC 6-1 (Northeast Conference Co-Champions); 2004: 4-7, NEC 4-3; 2005: 5-6, NEC 4-3; 2006: 7-4, NEC 5-2; 2007: 8-4, NEC 6-0 (Northeast Conference Champions); 2008: 9-3, NEC 7-0 (Northeast Conference and Gridiron Classic Champions). BYE WEEK: The Great Danes had a bye week for the sixth time as a FCS program. UAlbany had one week off in the 1999, 2007 and 2008 seasons and two off weeks in 2001. The Great Danes have won four of five games following the bye week, including last year at Hofstra. CLOSE GAMES: UAlbany has played in four games decided by three points or less this season, including a 13-10 loss to Robert Morris on Nov. 7. Garrett Clawson's 20-yard field goal as time expired was the difference. The Great Danes last had four games decided by three points or less in the 1993 season. In the 1987 campaign, five contests came down to a differential of three points or less. HOME WINS: The Great Danes set a school record with a string of 12 consecutive home wins that covered a two-year period. The streak was stopped on Nov. 7th in a 13-10 loss to Robert Morris. UAlbany previously won nine in a row at University Field from 1973-74. University Field Win Streaks 12, Oct. 6, 2007 to Oct. 17, 2009 9, Sept. 22, 1973 to Nov. 16, 1974 8, Oct. 13, 1984 to Nov. 2, 1985 NEC STREAK: UAlbany had its Northeast Conference win streak ended at 18 straight in a 31-29 loss at Central Conn. The Great Danes won their 18th in a row in a 35-10 win at Monmouth (Oct. 24). Robert Morris held the previous mark with 16 wins in a row from 1998-2000. NEC Conference Win Streaks 18, Albany (2007-09) 16, Robert Morris (1998-2000) 11, Sacred Heart (2000-02) BATTLE OF UNBEATENS: The Great Danes met a league opponent where both teams were undefeated in conference play for the fifth time. UAlbany fell to 1-4 in those matchups following the Central Conn. loss. UAlbany in Unbeaten League Showdowns Oct. 30, 1999: Robert Morris (5-0) 30, Albany (4-1) 20
Oct. 20, 2001: Sacred Heart (5-0) 32, Albany (3-1) 17 Oct. 18, 2003: Monmouth (4-0) 10, Albany (3-1) 7 Nov. 1, 2008: Albany (5-0) 35, Monmouth (4-1) 17 Oct. 31, 2009: Central Conn. (5-0) 31, Albany (5-1) 29 NORTHEAST POLL: UAlbany was established as the unanimous preseason favorite to capture this year's Northeast Conference title. The Great Danes received eight first-place votes. Monmouth earned one first-place vote. NEC Poll: 1. Albany (8), 2. Monmouth (1), 3. Central Connecticut State, 4. Sacred Heart, 5. Robert Morris, 6. Duquesne, 7. Bryant, 8. Wagner, 9. St. Francis, Pa. ( ) - first-place votes NEC CONSISTENCY: UAlbany has won four or more conference games in all 11 seasons as a Northeast Conference member. The Great Danes have captured four NEC titles (2002, 2003, 2007 & 2008). WIN STREAK: The Great Danes had won six in a row previous to the Central Conn. defeat. UAlbany had posted eight straight wins prior to a 29-26 loss at Georgia Southern in the opener. UAlbany previously set the program's Division I FCS record with seven straight wins in 2007. UAlbany's Division I FCS Win Streaks 8, Oct. 4, 2008 to Sept. 5, 2009 7, Oct. 6, 2007 to Nov. 17, 2007 6, Sept. 19, 2009 to Oct. 24, 2009 5, Sept. 1, 2001 to Oct. 6, 2001 TOP NEC RUNNER: Senior tailback David McCarty is third among the Northeast Conference's career rushing leaders with 4,270 yards. He is also fifth all-time in career scoring with 246 points. NEC's Career Rushing Leaders 4,987, David Sinisi (Monmouth), 2006-4,460, Rick Sarille (Wagner), 1996-99 4,270, David McCarty (Albany), 2006-3,847, Sam Dorsett (Robert Morris), 1999-03 NEC TITLES: The Great Danes captured their fourth Northeast Conference championship in a 30-11 victory against Wagner in the regular-season finale. WR Tim Bush caught 10 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns. In 2007, UAlbany defeated Central Connecticut State, 49-14, for its third title. TB David McCarty piled up 247 rushing yards and two TDs. UAlbany won the title outright in 2002 with a 19-7 victory over Monmouth. TB Gary Jones rushed for 103 yards and QB Ryan Roeder scored on a 59-yard run in the second quarter. The Great Danes went on to defeat No. 21 Duquesne, 24-0, in the ECAC Football Classic. UAlbany shared the NEC crown with Monmouth in 2003. TB Gary Jones ran for 195 yards and three TDs in a 27-7 win against Robert Morris in his team's final conference game of the season. THE UNDEFEATED: UAlbany became the sixth team in Northeast Conference history to go undefeated in league play. The Great Danes also went unbeaten against conference opponents last year. Sacred Heart previously accomplished the feat in 2001 and posted an 11-0 overall record. Robert Morris went undefeated in 1997, 1999 and 2000. NEC's Unbeaten Teams in Conference Play 1997, Robert Morris (8-3, NEC 4-0) 1999, Robert Morris (8-2, NEC 7-0) 2000, Robert Morris (10-0, NEC 8-0) 2001, Sacred Heart (11-0, NEC 8-0) 2007, Albany (8-4, NEC 6-0) 2008, Albany (9-3, NEC 7-0) MAKING THE CATCH: Senior wide receiver Tim Bush is the school's all-time leader in career receptions with 142. He had 10 catches for 95 yards at Central Conn. State (Oct. 31). Bush is third in career receiving yards (1,803) on the UAlbany program's all-time chart. Bush has totaled 100-plus receiving yards four times this season. UAlbany's Career Receptions Leaders 142, Tim Bush, 2007-136, Dan Gmelin, 1994-97 124, Chris Phillis, 1999-01 UAlbany's Career Receiving Yardage Leaders 2,243, Dan Gmelin, 1994-97 2,100, Chris Philis, 1999-01 1,803, Tim Bush, 2007-1,537, Andy Shein, 1991-94 200-TACKLE CLUB: A trio of active Great Dane defenders have more than 200 career tackles. ILB Justin Brancaccio leads this group with 252, while OLB Dave Nicomini has 234. Brancaccio is ninth on the all-time tackles list. Nicomini has moved up to No. 14. FS Dave Casale has climbed to No. 17 on the career tackles chart with 217. Active UAlbany Players - 200+ Career Tackles 252, ILB Justin Brancaccio (2006- ) 234, OLB Dave Nicomini (2005- ) 217, FS Dave Casale (2006- ) DOUBLE SLASH: UAlbany's Andrew Smith threw his first career touchdown pass and scored on a 1-yard run at Monmouth on Oct. 24. Smith found WR Tim Bush with a 31-yard TD pass in the third quarter. He also rushed for 36 yards on 12 carries and had one reception for 10 yards. Smith, a redshirt freshman, has been positioned at quarterback, tailback and wide receiver this season. He picked up 93 allpurpose yards against Robert Morris. RANKED TEAMS: UAlbany met a ranked opponent for the 17th time in a 20-16 win over No. 20 Maine on Sept. 19. No. 17 Massachusetts posted a 44-7 victory over UAlbany the previous week. The Great Danes lost to three Division I FCS top-25 opponents last year. Dayton (#24) defeated UAlbany in the Gridiron Classic to end the 2007 season. In 2006, UAlbany defeated a pair of top-25 programs with victories against Delaware (#11) and Central Connecticut State (#23). Hofstra (#24) and Massachusetts (#25) were opponents in 2005. UAlbany vs. Ranked Division I FCS Teams Nov. 18, 2000: #12 Hofstra 55, Albany 28 Sept. 7, 2002: #1 Montana 45, Albany 7 Nov. 23, 2002: Albany 24, #21 Duquesne 0 (ECAC Classic) Sept. 6, 2003: #6 Northeastern 51, Albany 0 Oct. 2, 2004: #21 Lehigh 44, Albany 14 Sept. 10, 2005: #24 Hofstra 36, Albany 7 Sept. 17, 2005: #25 Massachusetts 40, Albany 0 Sept. 16, 2006: Albany 17, #11 Delaware 10 Sept. 23, 2006: Albany 19, #23 Central Connecticut State 14 Sept. 15, 2007: #19 Hofstra 28, Albany 13 Sept. 22, 2007: #2 Montana 35, Albany 14 Dec. 1, 2007: #24 Dayton 42, Albany 21 (Gridiron Classic) Aug. 30, 2008: #5 Massachusetts 28, Albany 16 Sept. 20, 2008: #10 New Hampshire 32, Albany 24 Sept. 27, 2008: #17 Delaware 38, Albany 7 Sept. 12, 2009: #17 Massachusetts 44, Albany 7 Sept. 19, 2009: Albany 20, #20 Maine 16 FOURTH-QUARTER RALLY: UAlbany came from behind after trailing in the fourth quarter for the fifth time as a Division I FCS program in the victory over Maine on Sept. 19. The Great Danes trailed, 17-14, early in the final period against Monmouth last season. UAlbany last came back from a double-figure deficit in the fourth quarter on Nov. 21, 1998 in the EFC championship game against American International. Division I FCS Fourth-Quarter Comebacks Sept. 1, 2001: Albany 14, Towson 10 (trailed 10-7, 4th) Nov. 5, 2005: Albany 20, Robert Morris 17 (trailed 17-13, 4th) Sept. 2, 2006: Albany 17, Lehigh 16 (trailed 13-11, 4th) Nov. 1, 2008: Albany 35, Monmouth 17 (trailed 17-14, 4th) Sept. 19, 2009: Albany 20, Maine 16 (trailed 16-3, 4th) TURNED OVER: The Great Danes are tied for 70th among 118 NCAA Division I FCS programs in turnover margin (minus-2) through nine games. UAlbany's margin was plus-10 in 2008 and plus-14 in 2007 when the program captured Northeast Conference championships. TOP CROWDS: A crowd of 18,118 watched UAlbany play Georgia Southern in the season opener, the fifth largest in program annals.
UAlbany appeared before 22,196 against Delaware last year. UAlbany played before the largest crowd in its football history against secondranked Montana in 2007. More than 23,000 were in attendance. UAlbany's Top Football Attendance Marks 23,097 vs. Montana, 9-22-07 22,196 vs. Delaware, 9-27-08 22,016 vs. Delaware, 9-16-06 19,511 vs. Montana, 9-7-02 18,118 vs. Georgia Southern, 9-5-09 15,112 vs. Massachusetts, 8-30-08 14,000 vs. Central Florida, 11-8-80 OPPONENTS & POLLS: UAlbany's non-league and conference schedule features opponents ranked in the national polls. Massachusetts, Maine and Central Connecticut State are currently receiving votes in both the Sports Network Top 25 and FCS Coaches' Poll. NORTHEAST CONFERENCE: UAlbany became an associate member of the Northeast Conference in 1999. The NEC's current footballplaying membership includes Bryant, Central Connecticut State, Duquesne, Monmouth, Robert Morris, Sacred Heart, St. Francis, Pa., and Wagner. Duquesne became the eighth football-playing member last year, while Bryant is eligible for the NEC title in 2009. Football has been sponsored by the NEC as a conference sport since 1996. The Great Danes have won four NEC titles, including last year's championship. PROGRAM HISTORY: UAlbany began its 37th varsity season at sixtime national champion Georgia Southern on Sept. 5. UAlbany football started at the club level in 1970, before moving to Division III and varsity status three years later. The Great Danes competed at the Division II level from 1995-98, and won two Eastern Football Conference titles in that period. Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) play arrived in 1999 with membership in the Northeast Conference. OVERTIME GAMES: The Great Danes recorded the program's firstever overtime victory in a 22-16 decision against Hofstra on Sept. 13. TB David McCarty's 7-yard touchdown run decided the outcome. UAlbany suffered setbacks in its previous two OT decisions. UAlbany's Overtime History Oct. 21, 2000: Sacred Heart 35, Albany 28 (OT) Oct. 12, 2002: Drake 49, Albany 42 (2OT) Sept. 13, 2008: Albany 22, Hofstra 16 (OT) PRESEASON ALL-NEC: The Northeast Conference announced its 2009 preseason all-conference football team in August. UAlbany had six players voted to the squad by the conference s head coaches. David McCarty, a Walter Payton Award candidate, rushed for a school-record 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. He was named to the Sports Network Division I FCS All-America third team and earned first-team all-conference honors. McCarty ranked second among the nation s FCS rushing leaders at 154.3 yards per game. Tim Bush, a senior wide receiver, established the program s single-season receptions mark last year when he caught 67 passes for 794 yards and five touchdowns. He was chosen to the All-NEC first team. Kevin Richards, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound center, has anchored the offensive line the last two seasons. He twice has been picked to the all-conference second team. Dave Casale was named to the All-ECAC and All-NEC squads one year ago. From his free safety position, Casale recorded the most interceptions by a UAlbany defender since 1990 with seven. He was second on the team in tackles (74) and first in pass break-ups (7). Justin Brancaccio, a senior inside linebacker, led the Great Danes in tackles with 91, including 35 unassisted and four for a loss. He spearheaded a unit that ranked 13th in scoring defense and 18th in total defense among the national leaders. Brancaccio is among the program s career FCS tackles leaders. Eddie Delaney, a 6-foot-6, 240-pound defensive end, earned second-team All-NEC recognition as a redshirt freshman. He totaled 37 tackles, 1.5 sacks and six pass deflections despite playing without a left hand. ALL-TIME: Tailback David McCarty, a 2009 Walter Payton Award candidate, became the school's career and single-season rushing leader last year. McCarty, who ran for 100-plus yards against 11 teams last season, has also set the career standard for all-purpose yards. UAlbany's Single-Season Rushing Leaders 1,852, David McCarty (2008, 357 carries) 1,524, Gary Jones (2003, 211 carries) 1,509, Gary Jones (2002, 231 carries) 1,503, David McCarty (2007, 219 carries) UAlbany's Single-Game Rushing Leaders 286, Tom DeBlois vs. Springfield, 11-15-75 (36 carries) 271, David McCarty vs. Jacksonville, 12-6-08 (33 carries) 247, David McCarty vs. Central Conn. State, 11-17-07 (19 carries) 242, Gary Jones vs. Stony Brook, 10-25-03 (27 carries) UAlbany's Career Rushing Leaders 4,270, David McCarty, 2006- (795 carries) 3,033, Gary Jones, 2002-03 (442 carries) 2,958, Greg Garrett, 1996-99 (634 carries) Career 100-Yard Rushing Games 24, David McCarty, 2006-17, Gary Jones, 2002-03 10, Pat Ryder, 1986-89 Single-Season 100-Yard Rushing Games 11, David McCarty, 2008 9, Gary Jones, 2002 8, Gary Jones, 2003 8, David McCarty, 2007 UAlbany's Career All-Purpose Yards Leaders 4,924, David McCarty, 2006-3,639, Gary Jones, 2002-03 3,562, Greg Garrett, 1996-99 3,185, Dan Gmelin, 1994-97 NATIONAL LEADER: UAlbany's Bob Ford ranks third among active NCAA Division I FBS and FCS head coaches in career victories with 240. Penn State's Joe Paterno (392) and Florida State's Bobby Bowden (387) are first and second on the list. Career Victories by Active Division I FBS / FCS Coaches 392, Joe Paterno, Penn State (44th Season, 392-129-3) 387, Bobby Bowden, Florida State (44th Season, 387-128-4) 240, Bob Ford, Albany (41st Season, 240-169-1) Bob Ford's Milestone Wins (Overall) #50 at Cortland Oct. 28, 1978 41-31 #100 at Rensselaer Oct. 3, 1987 30-17 #150 vs. Merrimack Oct. 4, 1997 42-3 #200 at Wagner Nov. 11, 2003 28-7 #225 at Central Conn. Nov. 17, 2007 49-14 FIELD GOALS: Sophomore Herb Glass tied a school single-game record with three field goals, all in the first half, on Sept. 26th. Jason Fralicker made three against Fordham on Sept. 8, 2007, the last player to accomplish the feat. Glass is tied for 17th among the NCAA Division I FCS national leaders with 1.33 field goals made per game. UAlbany's Single-Season Field Goal Leaders 15, Jason Fralicker (2007) 13, Jason Fralicker (2006) 12, Scott Reagan (1985) 12, Herb Glass (2009) 9, Larry Leibowitz (1977) 9, Bryan Bagstad (2001) UAlbany's Career Field Goal Leaders 28, Jason Fralicker, 2006-07 22, Bryan Bagstad, 1999-01 20, Tony Chechile, 1986-89 18, Deron Regev, 1995-98 18, Herb Glass, 2008-
ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME: UAlbany inducted J.T. Herfurth '00 into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 9, as part of Homecoming festivities. An All-America offensive tackle, Herfurth participated in the 2001 Hula Bowl. He played on UAlbany s first Division I FCS squad. ALL-STUDY: The Great Danes have eight returning players who made the 2008-09 Northeast Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll. ILB Chris Simpson, DE Tony Sparano and OG Andrew Stevens were among those to earn academic recognition. Simpson was one of 43 chosen to the FCS Athletic Directors Association Academic All-Star Team. UALBANY CAPTAINS: Outside linebacker Dave Nicomini, tailback David McCarty and inside linebacker Justin Brancaccio are serving as team captains for the second year in a row. QB Vinny Esposito and FS Dave Casale are UAlbany captains for the first time. FOR THE DEFENSE: The Great Danes were among the top Division I FCS defensive units in the nation in 2008. UAlbany ranked 13th in scoring (18.2 ppg), 16th in pass efficiency defense (107.9 rating) and 18th in total yards allowed (300.8 ypg). Seven starters return on the unit, including a pair of first-team all-conference performers. TWO SPORTS: UAlbany's Jean Juste is among several football players participating in a second sport. Juste, a senior cornerback, won the 2008 and 2009 America East Conference outdoor 110-meter hurdles championship. He has also sprinted to three indoor 55-meter hurdles titles. Juste has 74 tackles and eight PBUs as a collegian. EXTRA YEAR: Wide receiver Tim Bush and outside linebacker Dave Nicomini have been granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA due to medical hardships. Bush, a first-team all-league selection, caught a record 67 passes last year. Nicomini, a 2007 first-team All-NEC defender, missed all of last season with a severe knee injury. UALBANY IN THE NFL: Defensive back Rashad Barksdale was taken in the sixth round of the 2007 National Football League Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Barksdale became the second UAlbany player to be chosen in the draft. Barksdale was later claimed off waivers on Sept. 2, 2007 by the Kansas City Chiefs and placed on their 53-man, opening-day roster. Barksdale, who became the first to play from UAlbany in an NFL regular-season game on Oct. 7 against Jacksonville, is now on the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad. DE Andre Coleman has been a member San Diego Chargers' practice squad the last three years. Coleman became the second former UAlbany player to appear in a NFL game on Sept. 14, 2009 against Oakland. MY DAD IS THE COACH: DE Tony Sparano and OG Andy Sparano are fans of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins. Their father, Tony, is in his second year as Miami's head coach. He was runner-up for Associated Press 2008 NFL Coach of the Year. Tony Sparano has previously been an assistant with Dallas, Jacksonville, Washington and Cleveland. He served as New Haven's head coach (1994-98) and Boston University's offensive coordinator (1989-93). GIANTS CAMP: The National Football League's New York Giants have made the University at Albany its summer training camp home since 1996. UAlbany has played host to the longest stint of any Giants' training camp, a record-setting 14 straight summers. In 2009, the Giants set their all-time attendance mark (46,960) on the UAlbany campus. MARA-TISCH FIELD: The University at Albany dedicated the school's football practice field in honor of Wellington T. Mara and Preston Robert Tisch, the late co-owners of the New York Giants of the National Football League, on Aug. 16, 2007. Mara and Tisch were instrumental in making UAlbany home to the Giants' summer training camp in 1996. COUGHLIN'S WORDS: New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin spoke to the University at Albany football team following the Great Danes morning practice on Wednesday, Aug. 19. Coughlin, who has coached the Giants to a Super Bowl title and last year's NFC East crown, addressed the squad for the third consecutive year. Coughlin made this point to the Great Danes during his remarks. "The number one thing is the mission... the mission. If every guy is on the same page, if every guy believes in what we re doing, and if every guy hangs in there together and fights their way through the tough times... and you re going to have them... you can accomplish that and be very proud of the group that you have." GRIDIRON CLASSIC: The Northeast Conference (NEC) and Pioneer Football League (PFL) champions are meeting for the fourth straight year in the Gridiron Classic, an exempted postseason football game. The PFL champion will host this year's event on Saturday, December 5. The NEC began sponsoring football at the FCS I level in 1996, and has since increased its membership from five to eight institutions. The Pioneer Football League is one of three Division I football-only sport conferences. The PFL is about to begin its 17th season and features 10 members: Butler, Campbell, Dayton, Davidson, Drake, Jacksonville, Marist, Morehead State, San Diego and Valparaiso. ATHLETIC SUCCESS: UAlbany has captured 37 conference championships, including 33 America East titles and four Northeast football crowns, since upgrading to the NCAA Division I level in 1999. The Great Danes have had 15 teams qualify for NCAA postseason play. Baseball, softball, men's lacrosse, volleyball, field hockey and men's basketball have advanced. Softball and men's lacrosse became the first teams to record NCAA Division I tournament victories in the spring of 2007. TEAM NOTES PAW PRINTS: The Great Danes can still share the Northeast Conference title... UAlbany must defeat Wagner, while Central Conn. State loses... the Great Danes are attempting to reach the seven-win mark for the eighth time in 11 seasons at the Division I FCS level... UAlbany saw its 12-game home win streak come to an end in a 13-10 loss to Robert Morris on Nov. 7... Garrett Clawson kicked a field goal as time expired... UAlbany lost to Monmouth in 2004 and 2005 on last-play field goals... the Great Danes have lost consecutive NEC games for the first time since the 2005 campaign... UAlbany has never lost three in a row against NEC opponents... the Great Danes rushed for 49 net yards vs. Robert Morris, the lowest figure against a league opponent since UAlbany joined the NEC in 1999... UAlbany's defense held Robert Morris to 243 total yards, a season low by an opponent... the Great Danes have limited six teams to less than 280 yards this season... UAlbany had its six-game win streak halted in a 31-29 loss at Central Connecticut State on Oct. 31... the Great Danes had won 18 straight against NEC opposition, a conference record... UAlbany also had its string of 15 straight wins in the month of October, dating back to Oct. 7, 2006, stopped... the Great Danes allowed the most rushing yards (246) against an NEC opponent since joining the league in 1999... Central Conn. State's 430 total yards was the highest figure by an opposing NEC team since Oct. 30, 2004... UA defense allowed its first 200-yard rusher since Oct. 6, 2007... the Great Danes have thrown for 250-plus yards on 16 occasions at the Division I level... UAlbany has five or more league wins in nine of 11 seasons as a NEC member... Bryant's 30 net rushing yards was the lowest figure by an opponent since Nov. 4, 2006... UAlbany has limited five opponents this season to less than 300 total yards... the Great Danes had no turnovers for the 18th time as a Division I FCS program against Bryant... the Great Danes passed for 280 yards, their highest figure since Sept. 20, 2008... the UA defense recorded a season-high five sacks vs. Bryant... the Great Danes scored 50-plus points for the fifth time as a FCS program in a 55-10 triumph against Duquesne on Oct. 10... UAlbany has scored 50 or more points 20 times in its history... Duquesne allowed its most points since Oct. 23, 1999... UAlbany set program FCS records for points in one quarter (28) and points in one half (41)... the Great Danes established season-highs in rushing yards (278) and total yards (471)... UAlbany set a school record with its 10th consecutive home win in a 22-9 win against Sacred Heart on Sept. 26... the Great Danes did not commit a turnover after having five miscues in each of the previous two games... UAlbany ended a string of seven straight losses to nationally-ranked opponents in a 20-16 victory over Maine on Sept. 19... Maine was ranked No. 19 (FCS) and No. 20 (Sports Network) in the polls... the Great Danes are 4-13 against Division I FCS programs ranked in the national Top 25... UAlbany
overcame a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter for the first time as a Division I FCS program... the Great Danes committed five turnovers for the second straight week vs. Maine, as QB Vinny Esposito tied a school record with four interceptions... UAlbany suffered its worst loss in nearly four years in the 44-7 decision at No. 17 Massachusetts on Sept. 12... UAlbany committed five turnovers, its highest total since Nov. 12, 2005... UAlbany played before the fifth-largest crowd (18,118) in the program's history on Sept. 5 at Georgia Southern... the temperature was 91 degrees at kickoff (6 p.m.)... UAlbany had its eight-game winning streak halted at Georgia Southern... the Great Danes rushed for more than 200 net yards in an opener for the first time since 1999... UAlbany's upset bid was derailed by nine penalties, an interception return for a touchdown, a fumbled punt and a twopoint defensive return following a blocked PAT attempt... the Great Danes have reached the seven-win mark in 10 of the last 13 seasons... head coach Bob Ford recorded his 225th career win at UAlbany in his team's Gridiron Classic victory over Jacksonville... Ford celebrated his 72nd birthday on Sept. 11... UAlbany recorded its first-ever overtime win in a 22-16 triumph at Hofstra on Sept. 13, 2008... UAlbany set the program's FCS record with its ninth win last year... the team posted an 8-4 record in 2002 and 2007... the Great Danes have a 59-18 all-time record against NEC opposition... UAlbany is 14-29 in nonconference action as a Division I FCS program... the Great Danes have a 6-11 record in FCS games decided by three points or less... UAlbany will play its first-ever Division I FBS opponent with a date at Big East champion Cincinnati in 2011... the Great Danes are 21st in scoring defense (18.5 ppg), 24th in rushing yards allowed (111.9 ypg) and 37th in total defense (310.7 ypg)... PLAYER NOTES #3 David McCarty: 2009 Walter Payton Award Candidate... All- America Candidate... Sporting News Yearbook Northeast Conference preseason offensive player of the year... 19th nationally among the Division I FCS leaders in rushing at 91.7 yards per game... ran for just 36 yards against Robert Morris, as he was still hampered by a sprained ankle and wrist... rushed for 65 yards and one touchdown at Central Conn. State... caught one pass for 14 yards... rushed for 64 yards at Monmouth but left contest late in second quarter with an ankle sprain... ran for 118 yards on a season-high 38 carries against Bryant... reached 100-yard mark for 24th time as a collegian... rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns vs. Duquesne... left game after scoring on a 23-yard run with 11:58 remaining in third quarter... NEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 5)... received NEC weekly award for the 11th time in his career... season-high 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns at Saint Francis... has run for 170-plus eight times during his career... rushed for 105 yards and scored on a 4-yard run in the fourth quarter against Sacred Heart... NEC Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 21)... scored game-winning touchdown on a 24-yard run with 2:02 remaining against Maine... rushed for 109 yards on 27 carries... left contest in second quarter against UMass with a hip injury on Sept. 12... rushed for 42 yards on 10 carries to that point in the contest... had his string of 21 consecutive games with at least one touchdown halted... school's career leader in rushing yards (4,270) and all-purpose running yards (4,924)... third on NEC's career rushing list... first on program's all-time chart in 100- yard rushing games (24)... second in career touchdowns (41) and second in scoring with 246 points... also second in career rushing TDs (35)... 46 career receptions... named to 2008 Sports Network FCS All-America third team... first-team All-NEC... shattered school's single-season rushing (1,852) and all-purpose (2,208) standards... Gridiron Classic MVP when he set the program's FCS mark with 271 rushing yards and four touchdowns... ran for 100-plus yards in 11 of 12 games... became the first UAlbany player to run for 200-plus yards four times in the same season... nation's second-leading rusher as a junior at 154.3 yards per game... McCarty's UAlbany Record Book Career Rushing Yards: 4,270 Career All-Purpose Yards: 4,924 Career 100-Yard Rushing Games: 24 Career 200-Yard Rushing Games: 5 Career Rushing Attempts: 795 Single-Season Rushing Yards: 1,852 Single-Season All-Purpose Yards: 2,208 Single-Season 100-Yard Rushing Games: 11 Single-Season 200-Yard Rushing Games: 4 FCS Single-Game Rushing Yards: 271 FCS Single-Game Touchdowns: 4 FCS Single-Game All-Purpose Yards: 286 #3 David McCarty - Rushing By Game 2009 Season No. Yards TD Georgia Southern 24 63 2 Massachusetts 10 42 0 Maine 27 109 1 Sacred Heart 31 105 1 Saint Francis, Pa. 25 170 2 Duquesne 18 145 2 Bryant 38 118 0 Monmouth 9 64 0 Central Conn. State 22 65 1 Robert Morris 14 36 0 TOTAL 218 917 9 2008 Season No. Yards TD Massachusetts 24 125 1 Hofstra 27 178 1 New Hampshire 39 130 1 Delaware 22 47 1 Duquesne 37 230 0 Central Conn. State 28 101 0 Sacred Heart 32 207 1 Saint Francis, Pa. 31 122 1 Monmouth 31 208 1 Robert Morris 25 129 1 Wagner 28 104 1 Jacksonville 33 271 4 TOTAL 357 1,852 13 2007 Season No. Yards TD Colgate 7 7 0 Fordham 26 143 0 Hofstra 16 47 0 Montana 10 42 0 Stony Brook 18 157 2 Sacred Heart 14 97 1 Saint Francis, Pa. 15 170 2 Wagner 23 125 1 Robert Morris 27 167 2 Monmouth 28 167 1 Central Conn. State 19 247 2 Dayton 16 134 2 TOTAL 219 1,503 13 #7 Vinny Esposito: Completed 13 of 31 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown, but had two interceptions vs. Robert Morris... passed for 266 yards, the fourth-highest total in his career, at Central Conn. State... seven 200-plus yard passing games... two TD passes and rushed for one score... tied single-game record with 25 completions (39 attempts)... second in career total offense with 5,691 yards... passed for one touchdown and ran for another against Momouth... became second UA quarterback to throw for 5,000-plus career yards... the NEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 19) passed for a season-high 280 yards and two second-half touchdowns vs. Bryant... set the school's single-game completions record by connecting on 25 of 32 attempts... eclipsed a standard previously set on Nov. 19, 1995 when Joe Savino completed 24 passes... passing yards rank seventh on the UA single-game chart... two TD passes and scored on a 5-yard run against Duquesne... his 81-yard TD throw in the second quarter is the fourth-longest pass play in school annals... ranks second in both passing yards (5,444) and passing touchdowns (36) among the school's career leaders... rushed for 16 career TDs... passed for 186 yards and one touchdown in comeback win over #20
Maine on Sept. 19... tied single-game mark with four interceptions... became the first UAlbany passer to throw for 200-plus yards three times in the same FCS season one year ago... second-highest singleseason total with 1,934 yards and 13 touchdowns... completed 60.3 percent of his pass attempts... ran for 10 touchdowns... second UAlbany player to account for 2,000-plus yards in total offense in a season... passed for a career-best 283 yards at New Hampshire... career-high three TD passes against Duquesne... 184 passing yards and a career-best 65 rushing yards at Sacred Heart... accounted for 305 total yards against the nationally-ranked UNH Wildcats, the thirdhighest FCS single-game mark in program annals... #1 Tim Bush: Received an extra year of eligibility by NCAA due to a medical hardship... has established program's all-time record with 142 career receptions, breaking Dan Gmelin's standard set in 1997... four catches for 40 yards vs. Robert Morris... tied UAlbany's FCS record with 10 catches for 95 yards vs. Central Conn. on Oct. 31... third consecutive 100-yard receiving game with seven catches for 114 yards against Monmouth... scored on a 31-yard reverse pass from Andrew Smith... 100-plus receiving yards for the sixth time in his career, the third-best mark in school history... tied program's FCS record with 10 receptions for 135 yards against Bryant on Oct. 17... career-high 153 all-purpose yards... four receptions for 104 yards and one touchdown against Duquesne... hauled in an 81-yard scoring pass in the second quarter... caught five passes for 101 yards versus Maine on Sept. 19... five receptions for 56 yards at Massachusetts... six receptions for 50 yards at Georgia Southern... established program's single-season receptions record last year... selected to the All-Northeast Conference first team... broke Dan Gmelin's 1997 record with 67 receptions for 794 yards and five touchdowns... tied program's FCS receptions standard with 10 catches for 141 yards and two TDs against Wagner... hauled in nine passes for 97 yards in Gridiron Classic vs. Jacksonville... third in career receiving yards (1,803) on the program's all-time list... 58 receptions for 784 yards this season... totals rank second and fifth, respectively, on program's single-season lists... #31 Dave Casale: All-ECAC and All-Northeast Conference selection... nine tackles, including seven unassisted, against Robert Morris... hard-hitting defender with 217 career tackles and 19 career PBUs... 17th on school's career tackles list... season-high 12 tackles with two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and two hits for a loss at Central Conn. State... 10-plus tackles for the fourth time as a collegian... made 11 tackles with one PBU and a forced fumble at Monmouth... team-high eight tackles and two pass break-ups vs. Bryant... five tackles and one interception against St. Francis... climbed into a tie for sixth on the program's all-time list with his 11th career interception... five tackles and two PBUs vs. Sacred Heart... all-around effort with 10 tackles, one interception, one sack, one forced fumble and one pass break-up at Massachusetts on Sept. 12... recorded most interceptions (7) by UAlbany defender since 1990 last season to establish program's FCS standard... second on team in tackles (74) and first in pass break-ups (7) last season... third-best single-season mark in school history with seven interceptions... picked off two passes at Robert Morris and scored on a 23-yard return... ECAC and NEC defensive player of the week twice... career-high 13 tackles and blocked a 34-yard FG with nine seconds left in regulation at Hofstra... #54 Justin Brancaccio: A starter for the third consecutive year at inside linebacker... season-best 12 tackles, including three for a loss, vs. Robert Morris... registered double-figure hits for the seventh time as a collegian... ninth on the program's career tackles chart with 252... seven tackles against Central Conn State... six tackles, including four unassisted, at Monmouth... team-high nine tackles vs. Duquesne... seven tackles and a 1/2 sack against St. Francis, Pa.... made 10 tackles vs. No. 20 Maine... team-high 11 tackles at UMass... totaled nine tackles, including seven unassisted, and two pass break-ups in opener against Georgia Southern... named to the 2008 All-Northeast Conference first team... first on team in tackles with 91... spearheaded unit that ranked 13th in scoring defense and 18th in total defense among the national leaders... career-high 15 tackles in overtime win at Hofstra, the highest total by a UAlbany player since 2006... NEC defensive player of the week with 11 tackles and broke up a two-point pass in 24-22 victory over Central Connecticut State... #21 Dave Nicomini: Received sixth year of eligibility from NCAA due to medical hardship after missing all of last season... injured his knee during 2008 spring practice... required major reconstructive surgery... cleared for athletic activities in January 2009... appeared in five games as a defensive midfielder and face-off specialist on UAlbany lacrosse team... football captain for second consecutive year... five tackles and one pass break-up vs. Robert Morris... made six tackles and recovered an onside kick in the final minute against Central Conn. State... five tackles and a 1/2 sack at Monmouth... eight tackles and one fumble recovery vs. Duquesne... broke up a fourth-down pass at Albany 17-yard line in second quarter... named Northeast Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 28... five tackles, one sack, two tackles for a loss and a career-high three pass break-ups versus Sacred Heart... accounted for 10 tackles, including two for losses and one sack, against #20 Maine... made 10 tackles, including three hits for a loss, at #17 Massachusetts... recorded double-figure tackles against five opponents... big-hitting defender who can play at safety and outside linebacker... ranks 14th among school's career leaders with 234 tackles... 2007 All-NEC first-team selection... #5 Justin Gannon: In the rotation at tailback for the fourth straight year... also returns kicks and punts on special teams... 13th nationally among FCS leaders in punt returns with a 12.8 average... totaled 110 all-purpose yards against Central Conn. State... reached 100- mark for fifth time this season and ninth time as a collegian... scored his 10th career touchdown in fourth quarter on an 8-yard reception... 149 all-purpose yards at Monmouth... scored on a 23-yard run in third quarter, his first rushing touchdown of the season and fourth of his career... ran for 49 of his 52 yards in the second half... has moved to No. 10 on program's all-time list with 2,654 all-purpose yards... NEC Co-Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 12)... scored on a 78-yard punt return in the first quarter against Duquesne... first punt runback by a Great Dane since Oct. 31, 1998... 119 all-purpose yards... accounted for 135 all-purpose yards vs. Saint Francis... career-high 72 rushing yards on 11 carries... scored on a 24-yard reception in second quarter vs. Sacred Heart on Sept. 26... added 55 rushing yards... team-high 61 rushing yards on career-best 14 carries against UMass on Sept. 12... totaled 129 all-purpose yards at UMass... 42 yards on the ground in opener at Georgia Southern... chosen to the All-Northeast Conference second team as a return specialist... second on team with 973 all-purpose yards... rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns... averaged 21.9 yards per kick return, ranking third among the NEC leaders... established program's NCAA Division I FCS single-game record with 183 kickoff return yards against Delaware... NEC special teams player of the week with 136 all-purpose yards against Monmouth... 981 career rushing yards... MORE PLAYER NOTES: TB David McCarty is 19th nationally in rushing (91.7 ypg), while TB Justin Gannon is 13th in punt returns with an 12.8 average... OLB Rich Duff (118), CB Jean Juste (115), ILB Chris Simpson (112) and CB Ross Bertrand (104) have reached the 100-career tackle mark... Juste record his first career interception at Central Conn. State... S Emerson Kinsey (101) reached the 100- mark against Robert Morris... Kinsey totaled a career-best 113 yards in kickoff returns last week... Kinsey is seventh nationally in kick returns with a 28.0 average... S Jake Ciccarello had a career-high eight tackles vs. Central Conn... Ciccarello blocked two punts the previous week, including one that led to a third-quarter touchdown... PK Herb Glass is tied for third in single-season field goals (12) on the program's all-time list... Glass has moved into a tie for fourth in career field goals with 18... the sophomore tied the school's single-game records for field goals made (3) and attempts (5) vs. Sacred Heart on Sept. 26... Glass has made two or more field goals seven times in his career... Glass' 48-yard kick in the second quarter at Georgia Southern tied the third longest in school history... DE Eddie Delaney, who plays without a left hand, had a season-high seven tackles, including 1.5 for losses, against Monmouth... WR John Lullen scored his second career touchdown, a 5-yard reception in the second quarter, at Monmouth... DE Mike Kelly had five tackles and a 1/2 sack in a
return to his hometown against Monmouth... Kelly has missed three games due to leg surgery this season... DT Trevor Anderson upped his career sack total to 8.5 vs. Monmouth... Anderson made five tackles, the second-highest total of the season... ILB Chris Wilk matched a career-high with four tackles vs. Monmouth... OLB Jon Morgan scored on a 56-yard fumble return in the second quarter against Duquesne... Morgan is the 10th player to return a fumble for a touchdown in the program's FCS history... ILB Dave Plungas (8 tackles) and OLB Marc Holloway (5 tackles) each turned in careerbest efforts against Duquesne... CB Rashad Head registered a career-high four tackles and broke up a pass against Duquesne... the redshirt freshman picked off a fourth-quarter pass and had three tackles at Saint Francis, Pa.... ILB Chris Simpson was named ECAC Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 22... Simpson shared the NEC's weekly defensive award... career-best 11 tackles with one sack, one forced fumble and one pass break-up against Maine on Sept. 19... Simpson was one of 37 semifinalists at the FCS level for the National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award... ILB Justin Brancaccio, OLB Dave Nicomini and FS Dave Casale joined the 200-career tackle club this season... WR Ryan Kirchner posted career-highs in receptions (3) and receiving yards (47) vs. Bryant... TE Paul Booker scored his second touchdown as a collegian on a 11-yard reception in the fourth quarter against Robert Morris... S Jake Ciccarello has two interceptions, one fumble recovery and three blocked kick this season... the sophomore had three tackles, including one on a fourth-down goal line stand in the second quarter, blocked a fourth-quarter punt, and picked off a pass with 20 seconds remaining to seal the upset win vs. #20 Maine... QB/TB Andrew Smith is averaging 79.0 all-purpose yards per game... Smith had 239 all-purpose yards in his collegiate debut and was named NEC Rookie of the Week (Sept. 8)... Bobby Woods nailed a 77-yard punt in the season opener's first quarter, the second longest in the UA record book... Woods has six 50-plus yard punts this season... PK Sean Kenny scored his first points as a collegian on a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter against Robert Morris... KICK RETURN: QB/RS Andrew Smith recorded the program's thirdbest total for kickoff returns at the FCS level with 140 yards at Georgia Southern. Justin Gannon set the standard at Delaware last year. UAlbany's FCS Single-Game Kick Return Yards 183, Justin Gannon vs. Delaware, 9-27-08 155, Ryan MacLean vs. Robert Morris, 11-10-01 140, Andrew Smith vs. Georgia Southern, 9-5-09 127, Ryan MacLean vs. Robert Morris, 11-11-00 TOP HOME CROWDS: The 2009 Homecoming crowd of 6,255 was the sixth largest to see the Great Danes play at University Field. Home attendance has topped 6,000 fans eight times since 1973. UAlbany's Top Home Crowds Nov. 6, 1978: 7,500 vs. Ithaca Sept. 20, 1975: 7,500 vs. Ithaca Oct. 5, 1974: 6,500 vs. RIT Sept. 10, 1984: 6,500 vs. Ithaca Oct. 13, 2007: 6,419 vs. Sacred Heart Oct. 10, 2009: 6,255 vs. Duquesne Sept. 10, 2005: 6,212 vs. Hofstra Oct. 12, 1996: 6,082 vs. Union POORE PERFORMANCE: Wide receiver Jason Poore turned in his best effort as a collegian with eight receptions for 73 yards and one touchdown against Bryant (Oct. 17). Poore's 34-yard scoring catch, his first of the season, gave his team a 13-9 margin in the third quarter. He also recovered an onside kick with 3:13 left to preserve the lead. FIREPOWER: The Great Danes matched their second-highest point total against an Northeast Conference opponent in a 55-10 victory against Duquesne on Oct. 10. UAlbany set the program's FCS marks for points in one quarter (28) and points in one half (41). UAlbany posted season-highs in total yards (471) and rushing yards (278). Top Division I FCS Point Totals 64 vs. St. Peter's, 10-4-03 58 vs. St. Francis, Pa., 10-20-07 55 vs. Duquesne, 10-10-08 55 vs. St. Francis, Pa., 10-23-99 FUMBLE RETURN: OLB Jon Morgan scored on a 56-yard fumble return in the second quarter against Duquesne. He is the 10th player to reach the end zone on a fumble return in the program's FCS history. UAlbany's Fumble Returns For TD (FCS/Yards) 58, Tim Campe vs. Stony Brook, 10-30-00 56, Jon Morgan vs. Duquesne, 10-10-09 37, George Williams vs. Central Conn. State, 11-17-07 27, Josh MacAnn vs. Robert Morris, 11-2-02 20, Ryan Clair vs. Hofstra, 11-18-00 20, Jermaine Lee vs. St. Peter's, 10-4-03 Player Pronunciation Guide Garrett Askew...as-cue Ocieka Bakou...oh-seek-ah; bah-coo Frank Blasinsky...blah-sin-skee Justin Brancaccio...brawn-kah-she-oh Dave Casale...kah-sal Jake Ciccarello...chick-ah-rell-low Raymond Dorcely...door-sa-lee Vinny Esposito...es-poe-zee-toe Randall Exantus...ex-zan-toose Matt Faughnan...faw-nen Jean Juste...just Chris Kenneally...ka-knee-lee Ryan Kirchner...kurch-nur Ben Miseikis...mah-say-kiss Jordan Migliore...mil-lee-oar-ee Wil Moushey...moo-she Dave Nicomini...nick-oh-mee-knee Keith Peifer...pie-fur Dave Plungas...plun-jess Andy Sparano...spa-ron-know Tony Sparano...spa-ron-know Coach Casullo...ka-sue-low Coach Mion...my-on
2009 SEASON BOXSCORES GAME 1 GEORGIA SOUTHERN 29, UALBANY 26 September 5 @ Paulson Stadium, 6:00 p.m. Albany (0-1) 0 16 7 3 26 Georgia Southern (1-0) 3 9 7 10 29 GS - Mora 24 FG UA - McCarty 1 run (Glass kick) UA - Glass 48 FG GS - Scott 15 interception return (Mora kick) UA - McCarty 2 run (kick blocked) GS - Pasco defensive PAT return GS - Valentine 36 pass from Chapple (Mora kick) UA - Smith 39 run (Glass kick) GS - Valentine 26 pass from Chapple (Mora kick) UA - Glass 33 FG GS - Mora 44 FG 6:51, 1st 13:09, 2nd 5:52, 2nd 3:23, 2nd 0:42, 2nd 0:42, 2nd 9:58, 3rd 3:36, 3rd 11:34, 4th 6:31, 4th 0:40, 4th RUSHING - Albany: Smith 8-99, McCarty 24-63, Gannon 12-42, Bush 1-10, Blasinsky 1-1. Georgia Southern: Urbano 7-53, Robinson 7-8, Nolley 4-6. PASSING - Albany: Esposito 28-14-1, 110, Blasinsky 1-0-0, 0. Georgia Southern: Chapple 43-30-1, 259. RECEIVING - Albany: Bush 5-60, Poore 2-22, Kirchner 2-15, Kenneally 2-11, McCarty 1-8, Gannon 1-4. Georgia Southern: Urbano 8-48, Valentine 6-79, Taylor 6-55, Wilcox 3-35, Williford 2-24, Nolley 2-12, Robinson 2-(minus-2), Barker 1-8. ATTENDANCE - 18,118 (Sunny, 91 degrees). GAME 2 MASSACHUSETTS 44, UALBANY 7 September 12 @ McGuirk Alumni Stadium, 6:05 p.m. Albany (0-2) 0 7 0 0 7 Massachusetts (1-1) 10 10 7 17 44 UM - Cuko 47 FG UM - Nelson 2 run (Cuko kick) UA - Smith 3 run (Glass kick) UM - Cruz 67 pass from Havens (Cuko kick) UM - Cuko 37 FG UM - Cruz 3 pass from Havens (Cuko kick) UM - Hernandez 1 run (Cuko kick) UM - Hernandez 58 run (Cuko kick) UM - Cuko 40 FG 12:07, 1st 9:58, 1st 9:06, 2nd 8:22, 2nd 2:05, 2nd 3:21, 3rd 10:54, 4th 9:14, 4th 6:16, 4th RUSHING - Albany: Gannon 14-61, McCarty 10-42, Smith 5-13, Bush 1-(minus-7), Esposito 3-(minus-25). Massachusetts: Hernandez 9-88, Nelson 21-77, Gonnet 5-21, Zardas 4-9, Aguh 2-6, Igwenagu 1-2, Hawkins 1-0, Havens 2-(minus-13). PASSING - Albany: Esposito 26-13-3, 124. Massachusetts: Havens 32-20-1, 284, Woodward 1-0-0, 0. RECEIVING - Albany: Bush 5-56, Gannon 3-25, Kirchner 2-17, Lullen 2-10, Booker 1-16. Massachusetts: Cruz 6-121, Talley 5-86, Sanford 3-31, Silver 1-15, Horne 1-9, Zardas 1-9, Nelson 1-8, Sheeran 1-6. ATTENDANCE - 13,215 (Overcast, Light Rain, 66 degrees). GAME 3 UALBANY 20, MAINE 16 September 19 @ University Field, 4:07 p.m. Maine (2-1) 7 9 0 0 16 Albany (1-2) 0 0 3 17 20 ME - Session 20 run (Waxman kick) ME - Williams 15 pass from Brusko (Waxman kick) ME - Safety, Esposito tackled in end zone UA - Glass 27 FG UA - Booker 22 pass from Esposito (Glass kick) UA - Glass 33 FG UA - McCarty 24 run (Glass kick) 9:14, 1st 11:28, 2nd 2:50, 2nd 8:12, 3rd 11:15, 4th 3:45, 4th 2:02, 4th RUSHING - Maine: Session 21-76, Boone 5-50, Brusko 10-19, Smith 8-17, Brown 5-11. Albany: McCarty 27-109, Gannon 6-11, Smith 3-4, Esposito 5-(minus-26). PASSING - Maine: Brusko 6-4-0, 29, Smith 16-8-1, 67. Albany: Esposito 28-14-4, 186. RECEIVING - Maine: Williams 6-53, Session 3-30, Buttles 1-6, Brown 1-4, Jones 1-3. Albany: Bush 5-101, Lullen 2-15, Wooten 2-12, Poore 2-12, Booker 1-22, Kirchner 1-13, Gannon 1-11. ATTENDANCE - 4,823 (Sunny, 64 degrees). GAME 4 UALBANY 22, SACRED HEART 9 September 26 @ University Field, 4:00 p.m. Sacred Heart (0-3) 0 3 3 3 9 Albany (2-2) 6 10 0 6 22 UA - Glass 24 FG UA - Glass 29 FG SH - Fisher 28 FG UA - Gannon 24 pass from Esposito (Glass kick) UA - Glass 24 FG SH - Fisher 21 FG SH - Fisher 23 FG UA - McCarty 4 run (run failed) 5:45, 1st 1:46, 1st 9:00, 2nd 5:23, 2nd 2:33, 2nd 6:47, 3rd 9:00, 4th 3:58, 4th RUSHING - Sacred Heart: Coles 15-47, Archer 9-26, Mandas 1-7, Friedman 1-3, Fink 1-(minus-3), McKeon 3-(minus-8). Albany: McCarty 31-105, Gannon 8-55, Esposito 5-16, Smith 4-11. PASSING - Sacred Heart: Fink 16-12-2, 78, McKeon 16-8-0, 118. Albany: Esposito 22-11-0, 144. RECEIVING - Sacred Heart: Coles 7-48, Rossi 5-46, Tedesco 4-54, Patterson 3-41, Uyeno 1-7. Albany: Kirchner 3-29, Bush 2-38, Poore 2-15, Lullen 2-14, Booker 1-24, Gannon 1-24. ATTENDANCE - 3,188 (Party Sunny, Wind, 62 degrees). GAME 5 UALBANY 27, SAINT FRANCIS, PA. 6 October 3 @ DeGol Field, 1:00 p.m. Albany (3-2) 10 7 7 3 27 Saint Francis (1-4) 3 3 0 0 6 UA - McCarty 5 run (Glass kick) SF - Thiel 30 FG UA - Glass 38 FG UA - Bush 9 pass from Esposito (Glass kick) SF - Thiel 18 FG UA - McCarty 14 run (Glass kick) UA - Glass 27 FG 11;43, 1st 7:31, 1st 5:11, 1st 9:16, 2nd 3:30, 2nd 1:04, 3rd 10:50, 4th RUSHING - Albany: McCarty 25-170, Gannon 11-72, Smth 4-23, Blasinsky 1-(minus-2), Esposito 6-(minus-6). Saint Francis: Yearwood 13-34, Kelly 11-16, Harbridge 4-15, Conley 2-14. PASSING - Albany: Esposito 25-13-0, 132. Saint Francis: Kelly 29-17-2, 176. RECEIVING - Albany: Bush 5-51, Kirchner 2-27, Poore 2-20, Smith 2-10, Lullen 1-19, Wooten 1-5. Saint Francis: Winston 7-67, Rivera 7-47, Howze 3-23, Zarnich 1-21, Yearwood 1-15, Conley 1-3. ATTENDANCE - 1,591 (Sunny, 65 degrees).
GAME 6 UALBANY 55, DUQUESNE 10 October 10 @ University Field, 1:07 p.m. Duquesne (2-4) 0 7 3 0 10 Albany (4-2) 13 28 7 7 55 UA - McCarty 1 run (kick failed) UA - Gannon 78 punt return (Glass kick) UA - Morgan 56 fumble return (Glass kick) UA - Bush 81 pass from Esposito (Glass kick) UA - Esposito 5 run (Glass kick) DU - Spinks 12 pass from Dixon (Duale kick) UA - Lullen 32 pass from Esposito (Glass kick) UA - McCarty 23 run (Glass kick) DU - Duale 33 FG UA - Smith 58 run (Glass kick) 7:35, 1st 6:03, 1st 7:06, 2nd 3:39, 2nd 0:53, 2nd 0:15, 2nd 0:00, 2nd 11:58, 3rd 6:22, 3rd 13:39, 4th RUSHING - Duquesne: McCoy 24-59, Bair 8-30, Patterson 5-7, Dixon 6-1, Lapinski 1-1, Smoot 1-(minus 3). Albany: McCarty 18-145, Smith 9-91, Gannon 9-31, Esposito 3-7, Di Lella 1-4. PASSING - Duquesne: Dixon 31-20-1, 194, Patterson 9-3-0, 27. Albany: Esposito 12-7-0, 173, Di Lella 3-2-0, 7, Smith 1-1-0, 13. RECEIVING - Duquesne: Spinks 7-74, Rasky 5-46, Cangilla 4-41, Roorback 3-31, Lapinski 2-20, Spragg 1-6, Bair 1-3. Albany: Bush 4-104, Lullen 1-32, Booker 1-30, Wooten 1-13, Kenneally 1-7, Weaver 1-6, Smith 1-1. ATTENDANCE - 6,255 (Party Cloudy, Wind, 57 degrees). GAME 7 UALBANY 20, BRYANT 17 October 17 @ University Field, 1:00 p.m. Bryant (3-3) 0 3 6 8 17 Albany (5-2) 0 6 7 7 20 BU - Bird 27 FG UA - Glass 39 FG UA - Glass 19 FG BU - South 13 pass from Canfora (kick blocked) UA - Poore 34 pass from Esposito (Glass kick) UA - Smith 5 pass from Esposito (Glass kick) BU - Smith 2 run (Mastrino pass from Croce) 11:28, 2nd 8:34, 2nd 4:12, 2nd 11:53, 3rd 7:55, 3rd 14:54, 4th 3:13, 4th RUSHING - Bryant: Smith 14-44, Canfora 4-9, Gamble 1-7, Croce 6-(minus-30). Albany: McCarty 38-118, Bush 1-17, Smith 1-0, Esposito (4-minus-12). PASSING - Bryant: Croce 35-22-0, 234, Canfora 1-1-0, 13. Albany: Esposito 32-25-0, 280. RECEIVING - Bryant: Tracey 5-66, Pritchard 4-82, South 3-30, Mullane 2-36, Mastrino 2-20, Hunt 2-5, Canfora 2-(minus-3), Brown 1-5, Smtih 1-4, Wilson 1-2. Albany: Bush 10-135, Poore 8-73, Kirchner 3-47, Kenneally 1-10, McCarty 1-6, Smith 1-5, Lullen 1-4. ATTENDANCE - 2,824 (Mostly Cloudy, 45 degrees). GAME 8 UALBANY 35, MONMOUTH 10 October 24 @ Kessler Field, 1:00 p.m. Albany (6-2) 0 14 14 7 35 Monmouth (3-4) 0 3 7 0 10 MU - DelVento 32 FG UA - Lullen 5 pass from Esposito (Glass kick) UA - Smith 1 run (Glass kick) UA - Bush 31 pass from Smith (Glass kick) UA - Gannon 23 run (Glass kick) 12:21, 2nd 8:48, 2nd 1:48, 2nd 12:11, 3rd 9:59, 3rd MU - Sinisi 3 run (DelVento kick) UA - Esposito 1 run (Glass kick) 4:05, 3rd 13:42, 4th RUSHING - Albany: McCarty 9-64, Gannon 13-52, Smith 12-36, Esposito 5-20. Monmouth: Sinisi 21-84, Giles 5-18, Folsom 1-5, Frazier 10-(minus-24). PASSING - Albany: Esposito 19-12-1, 117, Smith 1-1-0, 31; Di Lella 1-0-1, 0. Monmouth: Frazier 27-18-0, 185. RECEIVING - Albany: Bush 7-114, Lullen 3-14, Smith 1-10, Kenneally 1-6, Kirchner 1-4. Monmouth: Lauch 6-67, Sinisi 4-66, Salomon 2-21, Folsom 2-9, D'Urso 1-9, Hahn 1-8, Plautz 1-3, Giles 1-2. ATTENDANCE - 3,782 (Cloudy, Light Rain, 54 degrees). GAME 9 CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE 31, UALBANY 29 October 31 @ Arute Field, 12:00 p.m. Albany (6-3) 6 17 0 6 29 Central Conn. (7-1) 7 7 14 3 31 UA - Esposito 1 run (run failed) CC - Mallory 79 run (Izzo kick) UA - Glass 23 FG CC - Martin 10 run (Izzo kick) UA - Poore 7 pass from Esposito (Glass kick) UA - McCarty 10 run (Glass kick) CC - Mallory 14 run (Izzo kick) CC - Mallory 1 run (Izzo kick) CC - Izzo 28 FG UA - Gannon 8 pass from Esposito (pass failed) 9:22, 1st 9:04, 1st 11:23, 2nd 6:36, 2nd 4:28, 2nd 1:49, 2nd 4:39, 3rd 0:42, 3rd 9:17, 4th 0:59, 4th RUSHING - Albany: McCarty 22-65, Gannon 10-38, Esposito 8-7. Central Conn. State: Mallory 23-204, Richardson 4-18, Spadaro 2-13, Martin 1-10, Norris 5-1, Fowler 6-0. PASSING - Albany: Esposito 39-25-2, 266. Central Conn. State: Norris 19-10-1, 184. RECEIVING - Albany: Bush 10-95, Poore 5-39, Gannon 3-48, Lullen 2-33, Smith 2-19, Kirchner 1-18, McCarty 1-14, Kenneally 1-0. Central Conn. State: Paul 5-131, Richardson 2-5, Colagiovanni 1-45, Mallory 1-6, Martin 1-(minus-3). ATTENDANCE - 3,698 (Cloudy, Wind, 65 degrees). GAME 10 ROBERT MORRIS 13, UALBANY 10 November 7 @ University Field, 1:00 p.m. Robert Morris (3-6) 7 3 0 3 13 Albany (6-4) 0 3 0 7 10 RM - Link 3 pass from Sinclair (Clawson kick) UA - Kenny 24 FG RM - Clawson 39 FG UA - Booker 11 pass from Esposito (Kenny kick) RM - Clawson 20 FG 10:10, 1st 4:01, 2nd 0:07, 2nd 7:58, 4th 0:00, 4th RUSHING - Robert Morris: Russ 31-87, Sinclair 6-7, Johnson 2-4, Link 2-3, Crouse 2-2. Albany: McCarty 14-36, Gannon 8-23, Smith 3-4, Esposito 9-(minus-14). PASSING - Robert Morris: Sinclair 20-9-0, 50, Crouse 7-6-0, 90. Albany: Esposito 31-13-2, 168. RECEIVING - Robert Morris: Evers 5-62, King 4-30, Link 2-9, Zalewski 1-22, Cromwell 1-6, Russ 1-6, Johnson 1-5. Albany: Bush 4-40, Smith 2-45, Booker 2-20, Poore 2-15, Gannon 1-27, Kirchner 1-16, Kenneally 1-5. ATTENDANCE - 2,518 (Partly Sunny, 46 degrees).
DIVISION I FCS SINGLE-GAME HIGHS TEAM -- 1999-Present Rushing Yards 468 vs. Wagner, 11-1-03 Passing Yards 319 vs. Robert Morris, 11-11-00 Total Yards 600 vs. Drake, 10-12-02 First Downs 30 vs Canisius, 10-19-02 & Fordham, 9-9-07 Low Rushing Yards Allowed minus-51 vs. Robert Morris, 11-4-06 Low Passing Yards Allowed 21 vs. Wagner, 10-28-06 Low Total Yards Allowed 74 vs. Central Conn. State, 9-13-03 Fewest First Downs Allowed 6 vs. Monmouth, 11-16-02 & Central Conn. State, 9-13-03 Turnovers Forced 6 vs. Stony Brook, 10-2-99 & Towson, 9-1-01 Points (Game) 64 vs. St. Peter's, 10-4-03 Points (Half) 41 vs. Duquesne (first), 10-10-09 Points (Quarter) 28 vs. Duquesne (second), 10-10-09 Victory Margin 55 vs. St. Peter's (64-9), 10-4-03 Loss Margin 51 vs. Northeastern (51-0), 9-6-03 INDIVIDUAL -- 1999-Present Rushing Yards 271, David McCarty vs. Jacksonville, 12-6-08 Rushing Touchdowns 4, Gary Jones vs. Wagner, 11-1-03 4, David McCarty vs. Jacksonville, 12-6-08 Touchdowns Scored 4, Gary Jones vs. Wagner, 11-1-03 4, David McCarty vs. Jacksonville, 12-6-08 Passing Yards 292, Ryan Roeder vs. Drake, 10-12-02 Touchdown Passes 3, Michael Oliva vs. Stony Brook, 10-2-99 3, Ryan Roeder vs. Robert Morris, 11-11-00 3, Marcus Rotondi vs. St. John's, 9-8-01 3, Ryan Roeder vs. Wagner, 9-22-01 3, Vinny Esposito vs. Duquesne, 10-4-08 Receiving Yards 251, Chris Phillis vs. Robert Morris, 11-11-00 Receptions 10, Chris Phillis vs. Hofstra, 11-18-00 10, Tim Bush vs. Wagner, 11-15-08 10, Tim Bush vs. Bryant, 10-17-09 10, Tim Bush vs. Central Conn. State, 10-31-09 Touchdown Receptions 2, Chris Phillis vs. Wagner, 10-9-99 2, Chris Phillis vs. Wagner, 9-23-00 2, Chris Phillis vs. Robert Morris, 11-11-00 2, Jonathan Garrick vs. St. John's, 9-8-01 2, Chris Phillis vs. Wagner, 9-22-01 2, Tim Bush vs. Wagner, 11-15-08 All-Purpose Yards 286, David McCarty vs. Jacksonville, 12-6-08 Tackles 18, Josh Bazan vs. Drake, 10-12-02 18, Colin Disch vs. Central Conn. State, 9-24-05 Interceptions 2, David Cross vs. Central Conn. State, 9-4-99 2, Mike Grever vs. Wagner, 10-9-99 2, Samson Brown vs. Towson, 9-1-01 2, Samson Brown vs. Wagner, 9-22-01 2, Kamar Elliott vs. St. Francis, Pa., 10-26-02 2, Ryan MacLean vs. Duquesne, 11-23-02 2, Eric Neugebauer vs. Wagner, 10-29-05 2, Rashad Barksdale vs. Delaware, 9-16-06 2, Dave Casale vs. Robert Morris, 11-8-08 UALBANY VS. VARSITY OPPONENTS OPPONENT W L LAST MEETING Albright 0 2 1976 (28-7, L) Alfred 7 5 1994 (20-19, L) American Int'l 3 0 1998 (25-24, W) Brockport 14 4 1994 (25-13, L) Brooklyn 1 0 1979 (56-0, W) Brown 0 2 2004 (35-7, L) Bryant 1 0 2009 (20-17, W) Buffalo 7 4 1988 (28-20, W) Canisius 2 0 2002 (44-14, W) Central Conn. 10 4 2009 (31-29, L) Central Florida 1 0 1980 (28-17, W) Colgate 0 1 2007 (13-11, L) Cortland 8 10 1994 (30-29, L) Cornell 0 1 2006 (23-21, L) Curry 2 0 1974 (50-23, W) C.W. Post 1 2 1998 (24-16, L) Dayton 0 2 2007 (42-21, L) Delaware 1 1 2008 (38-7, L) Drake 0 1 2002 (49-42, L) Duquesne 3 0 2009 (55-10, W) Florida Atlantic 0 1 2001 (27-9, L) Florida Int'l 0 1 2002 (35-26, L) Fordham 4 4 2007 (23-20, W) Gannon 1 0 1996 (40-29, W) Georgia Southern 0 1 2009 (29-26, L) Hampden-Sydney 1 0 1977 (51-45, W) Hobart 1 0 1979 (10-0, W) Hofstra 3 11 2008 (22-16, W) Ithaca 5 14 1994 (22-11, L) Jacksonville 1 0 2008 (28-0, W) King's (Pa.) 2 0 1996 (49-21, W) Lehigh 1 1 2006 (17-16, W) Maine 2 1 2009 (20-16, W) Marist 3 0 1984 (43-0, W) Massachusetts 0 3 2009 (44-7, L) Mass.-Lowell 3 0 1999 (40-0, W) Mass. Maritime 1 0 1974 (75-6, W) Mercyhurst 1 0 1996 (20-10, W) Merrimack 2 0 1998 (24-6, W) Monmouth 8 4 2009 (35-10, W) Montana 0 2 2007 (35-14, L) New Hampshire 0 1 2008 (32-24, L) New Haven 1 2 1986 (45-28, L) New York Tech 1 0 1981 (41-7, W) Niagara 1 0 1973 (75-9, W) Nichols 1 1 1974 (32-8, W) Northeastern 0 2 2003 (51-0, L) Norwich 14 6 1994 (45-20, W) Pace 4 1 1998 (17-0, W) Plattsburgh 6 0 1978 (32-7, W) Plymouth State 1 0 1985 (33-21, W) R.I.T. 5 0 1977 (13-3, W) Rensselaer 7 1 1996 (17-7, W) Robert Morris 6 5 2009 (13-10, L) Rowan 0 2 2000 (31-3, L) Sacred Heart 10 2 2009 (22-9, W) Salisbury State 4 0 1994 (44-20, W) Siena 1 0 1973 (71-8, W) Southern Conn. 9 6 1998 (24-14, W) Springfield 4 10 1994 (24-13, L) St. Francis, Pa. 11 0 2009 (27-6, W) St. John's 2 0 2001 (31-6, W) St. Lawrence 6 5 1997 (49-0, W) St. Peter's 1 0 2003 (64-9, W) Stonehill 2 0 1998 (52-0, W) Stony Brook 10 4 2007 (24-23, W) New Jersey 0 2 1996 (38-18, L) Towson 2 1 2003 (35-16, L) Union 4 9 1997 (54-0, W) U.S. Mer. Marine 0 1 1978 (14-8, L) Wagner 11 1 2008 (30-11, W) W. Connecticut 6 1 1993 (50-6, W) Widener 0 1 1977 (33-15, L) William Paterson 1 1 1994 (41-25, L)
UALBANY CAREER/SEASON BESTS #7 Vinny Esposito - Career/2009 Season Highs Most Yds Passing 283 at New Hampshire (9-20-08) 2009 Most Yds Pass 280 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) Most Comp 25 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) & CCSU (10-31-09) 2009 Most Comp 25 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) & CCSU (10-31-09) Most Attempts 40 at Montana (9-22-07) 2009 Most Attempts 39 at Central Conn. (10-31-09) Longest Completion 87 to Gannon vs. Monmouth (11-10-07) 2009 Longest Comp 81 to Bush vs. Duquesne (10-10-09) Most Yds Rush 65 at Sacred Heart (10-18-08) Longest Rush 22 vs. Hofstra (9-15-07) Total Offense Yds 305 at New Hampshire (9-20-08) #3 David McCarty - Career/2009 Season Highs Most Rush Yds 271 vs. Jacksonville (12-6-08) 2009 Most Rush Yds 170 at St. Francis, Pa. (10-3-09) Most Attempts 39 at New Hampshire (9-20-08) 2009 Most Attempts 38 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) Longest Rush 77 vs. Jacksonville (12-6-08) 2009 Longest Rush 33 at St. Francis, Pa. (10-3-09) 33 vs. Duquesne (10-10-09) 100-Yard Games 24, last vs. Bryant (10-17-09) All-Purpose Yds 286 vs. Jacksonville (12-6-08) Most Yards Receiving 96 vs. Central Conn. (10-11-08) Most Receptions 4 vs. Massachusetts (8-30-08) Longest Reception 72 vs. Central Conn. (10-11-08) #5 Justin Gannon - Career/2009 Season Highs Most Rush Yds 72 at St. Francis, Pa. (10-3-09) 2009 Most Rush Yds 72 at St. Francis, Pa. (10-3-09) Most Attempts 14 at Massachusetts (9-12-09) 2009 Most Attempts 14 at Massachusetts (9-12-09) Longest Rush 45 vs. St. Francis, Pa. (10-25-08) 2009 Longest Rush 33 at St. Francis, Pa. (10-3-09) 100-Yard Games 0 All-Purpose Yds 205 at Delaware (9-27-08) #1 Tim Bush - Career/2009 Season Highs Most Yards Receiving 141 vs. Wagner (11-15-08) 2009 Most Rec Yds 135 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) Most Receptions 10 vs. three opponents 2009 Most Receptions 10 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) & CCSU (10-31-09) Longest Reception 81 vs. Duquesne (10-10-09) 2009 Longest Rec 81 vs. Duquesne (10-10-09) #85 Jason Poore - Career/2009 Season Highs Most Yards Receiving 73 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) 2009 Most Rec Yds 73 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) Most Receptions 8 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) 2009 Most Receptions 8 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) Longest Reception 34 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) 2009 Longest Rec 34 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) #25 Chris Kenneally - Career/2009 Season Highs Most Yards Receiving 43 vs. Wagner (11-15-08) 2009 Most Rec Yds 11 at Georgia Southern (9-5-09) Most Receptions 3 vs. Wagner (11-15-08) 3 vs. St. Francis, Pa. (10-21-06) 2009 Most Receptions 2 at Georgia Southern (9-5-09) Longest Reception 30 vs. Wagner (11-15-08) 2009 Longest Rec 10 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) #87 John Lullen - Career/2009 Season Highs Most Yards Receiving 33 at Central Conn. (10-31-09) Most Receptions 3 vs. Monmouth (10-24-09) Longest Reception 32 vs. Duquesne (10-10-09) #10 Andrew Smith - Career/2009 Season Highs Most Rush Yds 99 at Georgia Southern (9-5-09) Longest Rush 58 vs. Duquesne (10-10-09) Most All-Purpose Yds 239 at Georgia Southern (9-5-09) Most Receptions 2 vs. three opponents Most Rec. Yds 45 vs. Robert Morris (11-7-09) #17 Ryan Kirchner - Career/2009 Season Highs Most Yards Receiving 47 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) Most Receptions 3 vs. two opponents Longest Reception 28 vs. Bryant (10-17-09) THE LAST TIME... INTERCEPTION FOR TOUCHDOWN Albany: Daniel Avery, 56 yards vs. Wagner, University Field, 11-15-08 Opp.: Laron Scott of Georgia Southern, 15 yards at Paulson Stadium, 9-5-09 KICKOFF RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWN Albany: Mike Wall, 77 yards vs. St. Francis, Pa., University Field, 10-21-06 Opp.: Kareem Huggins of Hofstra, 98 yards at University Field, 9-15-07 FUMBLE RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWN Albany: Jon Morgan, 56 yards vs. Duquesne, University Field, 10-10-09 Opp.: Cory Giddings of Stony Brook, 34 yards at LaValle Stadium, 10-7-06 PUNT RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWN Albany: Justin Gannon, 78 yards vs. Duquesne, University Field, 10-10-09 Opp.: Arel Gordon of Maine, 57 yards at Fitzpatrick Stadium, 10-1-05 BLOCKED PUNT - RETURN FOR TOUCHDOWN Albany: Jelani Dandles, 25 yards vs. St. John's, DaSilva Memorial Field, 10-13-00 Opp.: Michael Scott of Sacred Heart, 38 yards at Campus Field, 10-21-00 100-YARD RUSHING GAME Albany: David McCarty, 118 yards vs. Bryant, University Field, 10-17-09 Opp.: James Mallory of Central Conn. State, 204 yards at Arute Field, 10-31-09 200-YARD RUSHING GAME Albany: David McCarty, 271 yards vs. Jacksonville, University Field, 12-6-08 Opp.: James Mallory of Central Conn. State, 204 yards at Arute Field, 10-31-09 100-YARD RECEIVING GAME Albany: Tim Bush, 114 yards vs. Monmouth, Kessler Field, 10-24-09 Opp.: Josue Paul of Central Conn. State, 131 yards at Arute Field, 10-31-09 200-YARD PASSING GAME Albany: Vinny Esposito, 266 yards vs. Central Conn. State, Arute Field, 10-31-09 Opp.: Mike Croce of Bryant, 234 yards at University Field, 10-17-09 300-YARD PASSING GAME Albany: Joe Savino, 314 yards vs. American International, Miller Field, 11-22-97 Opp.: Connor Dixon of Duquesne, 338 yards at Rooney Field, 10-4-08
2009 Scoring Drives UAlbany Longest Scoring Drives Time of Possession: Yardage: Plays: 8:35 at Georgia Southern (2nd Qtr., 16 plays, 67 yards, Touchdown) 95 yards at St. Francis, Pa. (2nd Qtr., 14 plays, 6:08 TOP, Touchdown) 16 plays at Georgia Southern (2nd Qtr., 67 yards, 8:35 TOP, Touchdown) Opponent Longest Scoring Drives Time of Possession: 7:46 vs. Sacred Heart (2nd Qtr., 16 plays, 68 yards, Field Goal) Yardage: 80 yards at Monmouth (3nd Qtr., 14 plays, 5:52 TOP, Touchdown) Plays: 16 plays vs. Sacred Heart (2nd Qtr., 68 yards, 7:46 TOP, Field Goal) UAlbany Longest Scoring Drives Quarter No. Run Pass FG First Quarter 6 3 0 3 Second Quarter 18 6 6 6 Third Quarter 7 4 2 1 Fourth Quarter 11 4 4 3 Overtime 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 42 17 12 13 Opponent Longest Scoring Drives Quarter No. Run Pass FG First Quarter 8 3 1 4 Second Quarter 9 1 3 5 Third Quarter 8 3 3 2 Fourth Quarter 9 3 1 5 Overtime 0 0 0 0 TOTAL 34 10 8 16 2009 UAlbany Scoring Drives - Total Scoring Drives: 42 Other Scores: 1 punt return, 1 fumble return Qtr. Opp. Scoring Play Plays Yards TOP 2 GSU 1 yd. run - McCarty 16 67 8:35 2 GSU 48 yd. FG - Glass 10 22 4:11 2 GSU 2 yd. run - McCarty 10 65 2:35 3 GSU 39 yd. run - Smith 5 66 2:23 4 GSU 33 yd. FG - Glass 11 47 4:54 2 MASS 3 yd. run - Smith 8 32 3:30 3 ME 27 yd. FG - Glass 12 39 5:19 4 ME 22 yd. pass - Esposito to Booker 6 77 2:19 4 ME 33 yd. FG - Glass 7 12 2:05 4 ME 24 yd. run - McCarty 2 26 0:37 1 SHU 24 yd. FG - Glass 10 24 4:03 1 SHU 29 yd. FG - Glass 5-6 1:27 2 SHU 24 yd. pass - Esposito to Gannon 9 47 3:37 2 SHU 24 yd. FG - Glass 4 7 1:43 4 SHU 4 yd. run - McCarty 12 64 5:02 1 SFU 5 yd. run - McCarty 11 74 3:17 1 SFU 38 yd. FG - Glass 8 59 2:20 2 SHU 9 yd. pass - Esposito to Bush 14 95 6:08 3 SHU 14 yd. run - McCarty 3 22 1:20 4 SHU 27 yd. FG - Glass 10 41 3:57 1 DUQ 1 yd. run - McCarty 7 80 3:19 2 DUQ 81 yd. pass - Esposito to Bush 2 83 0:40 2 DUQ 5 yd. run - Esposito 6 45 1:50 2 DUQ 32 yd. pass - Esposito to Lullen 1 32 0:01 3 DUQ 23 yd. run - McCarty 8 80 3:02 4 DUQ 58 yd. run - Smith 3 74 1:21 2 BRY 39 yd. FG - Glass 9 50 2:54 2 BRY 19 yd. FG - Glass 9 65 2:51 3 BRY 34 yd. pass - Esposito to Poore 4 37 1:39 4 BRY 5 yd. pass - Esposito to Smith 9 60 4:15 2 MON 5 yd. pass - Esposito to Lullen 8 70 3:27 2 MON 1 yd. run - Smith 8 40 2:56 3 MON 31 yd. pass - Smith to Bush 2 35 0:44 3 MON 23 yd. run - Gannon 1 23 0:05 4 MON 1 yd. run - Esposito 10 39 5:15 1 CCSU 1 yd. run - Esposito 12 56 5:38 2 CCSU 23 yd. FG - Glass 13 80 6:05 2 CCSU 7 yd. pass - Esposito to Poore 5 59 2:12 2 CCSU 10 yd. run - McCarty 6 33 2:30 4 CCSU 8 yd. pass - Esposito to Gannon 9 74 2:13 2 RMU 24 yd. FG - Kenny 10 32 4:22 4 RMU 11 yd. pass - Esposito to Booker 3 41 1:01 2009 Opponent Scoring Drives - Total Scoring Drives: 34 Other Scores: 1 interception return, 1 defensive PAT return, 1 safety Qtr. Opp. Scoring Play Plays Yards TOP 1 GSU 24 yd. FG - Mora 8 29 2:39 3 GSU 36 yd. pass - Chapple to Valentine 5 75 1:51 4 GSU 26 yd. pass - Chapple to Valentine 8 70 3:45 4 GSU 44 yd. FG - Mora 14 57 5:44 1 MASS 47 yd. FG - Cuko 8 32 2:53 1 MASS 2 yd. run - Nelson 4 18 1:52 2 MASS 67 yd. pass - Havens to Cruz 2 78 0:44 2 MASS 37 yd. FG - Cuko 10 50 4:08 3 MASS 3 yd. pass - Havens to Cruz 8 40 3:45 4 MASS 1 yd. run - Hernandez 9 62 3:15 4 MASS 58 yd. run - Hernandez 1 58 0:13 4 MASS 40 yd. FG - Cuko 6 15 2:58 1 ME 20 yd. run - Session 9 38 4:24 2 ME 15 yd. pass - Brusko to Williams 8 63 4:29 2 SHU 28 yd. FG - Fisher 16 68 7:46 3 SHU 21 yd. FG - Fisher 12 76 5:46 4 SHU 23 yd. FG - Fisher 9 57 4:31 1 SFU 30 yd. FG - Thiel 8 31 4:12 2 SFU 18 yd. FG - Thiel 6 19 2:48 2 DUQ 12 yd. pass - Dixon to Spinks 4 51 0:38 3 DUQ 33 yd. FG - Duale 7 30 2:32 2 BRY 27 yd. FG - Bird 7 24 2:47 3 BRY 13 yd. pass - Canfora to South 9 72 3:07 4 BRY 2 yd. run - Smith 8 44 2:52 2 MON 32 yd. FG - DelVento 8 14 3:47 3 MON 3 yd. run - Sinisi 14 80 5:52 1 CCSU 79 yd. run - Mallory 1 79 0:11 2 CCSU 10 yd. run - Martin 8 77 4:38 3 CCSU 14 yd. pass - Mallory 3 21 1:21 3 CCSU 1 yd. run - Mallory 6 75 1:51 4 CCSU 28 yd. FG - Izzo 11 71 4:49 1 RMU 3 yd. pass - Sinclair to Link 9 32 4:50 2 RMU 39 yd. FG - Clawson 3 31 0:14 4 RMU 20 yd. FG - Clawson 14 79 5:38
UALBANY vs. WAGNER DEPTH CHART UALBANY OFFENSE Pos. No. Player (Ht., Wt., Cl.) TE 32 PAUL BOOKER (6-4, 230, R-Fr.) 25 Chris Kenneally (6-0, 235, Sr.) LT 64 VINCE GONZALES (6-4, 275, Jr.) 78 Andrew Stevens (6-4, 280, Jr.) LG 55 KYLE O'KEEFE (6-3, 285, So.) 78 Andrew Stevens (6-4, 280, Jr.) C 75 KEVIN RICHARDS (6-2, 270, Sr.) 62 Andy Sparano (5-11, 270, Jr.) RG 62 ANDY SPARANO (5-11, 270, Jr.) 66 Matt Faughnan (6-3, 275, Jr.) RT 71 KEITH PEIFER (6-4, 280, So.) 70 Justin Anderson (6-5, 280, R-Fr.) WR 1 TIM BUSH (5-9, 185, Sr.) 17 Ryan Kirchner (6-1, 180, R-Fr.) WR 85 JASON POORE (6-6, 210, Jr.) 87 John Lullen (6-2, 195, So.) QB 7 VINNY ESPOSITO (6-1, 210, Sr.) 9 Frank Blasinsky (6-0, 195, Sr.) FB 25 CHRIS KENNEALLY (6-0, 235, Sr.) 47 Ben Carl (6-1, 207, R-Fr.) TB 3 DAVID McCARTY (6-0, 215, Sr.) 5 Justin Gannon (5-6, 175, Sr.) WAGNER DEFENSE Pos. No. Player (Ht., Wt., Cl.) DE 47 DERRICK FORREST (6-2, 245, So.) 98 Joe Johnson (5-10, 285, Sr.) NG 90 JOSEPH HARKINS (6-1, 275, Sr.) 65 Sal Gigante (6-0, 255, So.) DT 99 TYRONE BROWN (6-4, 290, Jr.) 94 Omar Fahnbulleh (6-1, 265, Fr.) DE 81 QUINTIN ANDERSON (6-4, 290, So.) 97 John Kinzel (6-1, 225, So.) LB 93 JULIAN STANFORD (6-2, 215, So.) 50 Nick Vetterlien (5-11, 225, Fr.) LB 44 KEITH DAVIS (6-1, 215, Jr.) 32 C.O. Prime (6-1, 230, Fr.) LB 33 SHANE SMITH (6-2, 230, Sr.) 42 Dom Gaston (6-2, 215, So.) CB 20 JOREL JOSEPH (6-0, 190, Sr.) 22 Chris Anderson (5-10, 170, So.) FS 5 CHAZ LEGETTE (6-1, 180, Jr.) 12 Stefen Gage (6-0, 185, Jr.) S 17 T.J. CZESKI (6-2, 190, Jr.) 13 Jeremiah Brown (6-1, 190, So.) CB 24 RYAN PENTZ (5-10, 190, Jr.) 3 Frantz Placide (6-2, 205, Jr.) UALBANY DEFENSE Pos. No. Player (Ht., Wt., Cl.) DE 53 MIKE KELLY (6-2, 235, Jr.) 56 Marc Wargo (6-2, 235, So.) DT 95 ZACH GALLO (6-0, 245, So.) 91 Trevor Anderson (6-2, 285, Jr.) DE 97 TONY SPARANO (5-11, 245, Sr.) 96 Eddie Delaney (6-6, 240, So.) OLB 50 RICH DUFF (6-1, 210, Sr.) 11 Jon Morgan (6-2, 210, R-Fr.) ILB 54 JUSTIN BRANCACCIO (6-0, 230, Sr.) 57 Chris Wilk (6-2, 230, So.) ILB 51 CHRIS SIMPSON (6-0, 230, Sr.) 45 Dave Plungas (6-2, 230, R-Fr.) OLB 21 DAVE NICOMINI (6-3, 230, Sr.) 11 Jon Morgan (6-2, 210, R-Fr.) CB 18 ROSS BERTRAND (5-11, 185, Jr.) 34 Duane Harper (5-11, 194, So.) S 28 EMERSON KINSEY (6-0, 215, Sr.) 4 Jake Ciccarello (5-11, 195, So.) FS 31 DAVE CASALE (6-2, 220, Sr.) 22 Justin Hassan (6-1, 190, R-Fr.) CB 2 JEAN JUSTE (5-10, 190, Sr.) 26 Nick Crockett (5-10, 170, R-Fr.) UALBANY SPECIALISTS KO 72 SEAN KENNY FG/PAT 72 SEAN KENNY PUNTER 9 FRANK BLASINSKY HOLDER 68 BOBBY WOODS SNAPPER 99 WIL MOUSHEY (L), 53 MIKE KELLY KOR 10 ANDREW SMITH, 28 EMERSON KINSEY PR 5 JUSTIN GANNON WAGNER OFFENSE Pos. No. Player (Ht., Wt., Cl.) WR 14 DAVID CRAWFORD (6-3, 210, So.) 1 Tyrone Collins (6-0, 190, Jr.) WR 2 LON WOODS (6-0, 180, Sr.) 11 Sean O'Reilly (6-2, 185, Jr.) LT 71 ZACH JOHNSON (6-5, 290, Jr.) 62 Tyler Seling (6-3, 285, So.) LG 63 CHAZZ GONZALEZ (6-2, 295, Sr.) 72 Keith Hernandez (6-5, 295, Sr.) C 75 CLEVELAND GREEN (6-1, 290, Jr.) 69 Steve Ciocci (6-4, 290, So.) RG 73 MATTHEW MARTIN (6-4, 315, Sr.) 64 Anthony Harper (6-4, 310, Fr.) RT 67 JOE FERIOZZI (6-5, 290, So.) 60 Andrew Toone (6-5, 270, Fr.) TE 83 MORGAN MIZELL (6-1, 245, Jr.) 86 Dustin Nelson (6-4, 230, So.) QB 6 NICK DOSCHER (6-1, 220, Fr.) 18 Tyler Newberry (6-3, 210, Jr.) FB 41 RICH PARKER (6-1, 240, So.) 38 Rich Vellucci (6-0, 215, So.) HB 25 DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS (5-9, 200, Fr.) 30 Eric Foxworth (5-9, 195, Jr.) WAGNER SPECIALISTS KO 59 DAVID LOPEZ FG/PAT 59 DAVID LOPEZ PUNTER 39 KYLE MUIR HOLDER 56 RORY CREGAN SNAPPER 89 NICK LINEHAN KOR 2 LON WOODS, 3 FRANTZ PLACIDE PR 2 LON WOODS
2009 UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY FOOTBALL ROSTER 1 Tim Bush...WR, 5-9, 185, Sr. Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Saratoga Springs) 2 Jean Juste...CB, 5-10, 190, Sr. Hempstead, N.Y. (Uniondale) 3 David McCarty...TB, 6-0, 215, Sr. Gansevoort, N.Y. (LaSalle Institute) 4 Jake Ciccarello...S, 5-11, 195, So. Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Winter Springs) 5 Justin Gannon...TB, 5-6, 175, Sr. Sussex, N.J. (Vernon Township) 6 Chris Van Zelfden...ILB, 6-0, 210, Jr. Marietta, Ga. (George Walton) 7 Vinny Esposito...QB, 6-1, 210, Sr. Demarest, N.J. (Northern Valley Regional) 8 Devin Wooten...WR, 6-1, 185, Sr. Saddle Brook, N.J. (Kimball Union Academy) 9 Frank Blasinsky...QB, 6-0, 195, Sr. North Royalton, Ohio (Parma Padua) 10 Andrew Smith...QB, 6-2, 220, R-Fr. Schenectady, N.Y. (Guilderland) 11 Jon Morgan...OLB, 6-2, 210, R-Fr. Copiague, N.Y. (Copiague) 12 Dan Di Lella...QB, 6-5, 225, So. Neshanic Station, N.J. (Somerville) 13 Herb Glass...PK, 5-11, 180, So. Miller Place, N.Y. (Miller Place) 14 Randall Exantus...CB, 5-8, 160, Fr. Greenlawn, N.Y. (Elwood-John Glenn) 15 Paul Layton...PK/P, 6-1, 210, Fr. Ballston Lake, N.Y. (Burnt Hills-B. Lake) 16 Buddy Leathley...QB, 6-1, 175, Fr. Manlius, N.Y. (Fayetteville-Manlius) 17 Ryan Kirchner...WR, 6-1, 180, R-Fr. Rumson, N.J. (Rumson-Fair Haven) 18 Ross Bertrand...CB, 5-11, 185, Jr. Stamford, Conn. (Stamford) 19 Rashad Head...CB, 5-10, 180, R-Fr. Lawrenceville, Ga. (Collins Hill) 20 Tramaine Wilson...TB, 5-10, 180, Fr. Staten Island, N.Y. (Tottenville) 21 Dave Nicomini...OLB, 6-3, 230, Sr. Newton, N.J. (Kittatinny Regional) 22 Justin Hassan...S, 6-1, 190, R-Fr. Staten Island, N.Y. (Brooklyn Technical) 23 Nick Hutcherson...WR, 5-9, 170, R-Fr. Baltimore, Md. (Mount St. Joseph) 24 Chris Blais...OLB, 6-0, 202, Jr. Troy, N.Y. (LaSalle Institute) 25 Chris Kenneally...TE/FB, 6-0, 235, Sr. Harrington Park, N.J. (Northern Valley Reg.) 26 Nick Crockett...CB, 5-10, 170, R-Fr. Loganville, Ga. (Grayson) 27 Jeff Benway...FS, 5-11, 200, So. Queensbury, N.Y. (Queensbury) 28 Emerson Kinsey...S, 6-1, 215, Sr. Syracuse, N.Y. (Henninger) 29 Chris Ogando...CB, 5-10, 170, R-Fr. Bronx, N.Y. (Mount St. Michael Academy) 30 Marc Holloway...OLB, 6-2, 190, R-Fr. Rochester, N.Y. (East) 31 Dave Casale...FS, 6-2, 220, Sr. Troy, N.Y. (Troy) 32 Paul Booker...TE, 6-4, 230, R-Fr. Schenectady, N.Y. (Guilderland) 33 Eugene Horan...OLB, 5-9, 190, R-Fr. Selden, N.Y. (Newfield) 34 Duane Harper...CB, 5-11, 194, So. Brooklyn, N.Y. (Samuel J. Tilden) 35 Dean Mercuris...ILB, 6-2, 235, R-Fr. Staten Island, N.Y. (St. Peter's) 36 Alex Helmer...S, 6-1, 185, Fr. Pompton Lakes, N.J. (Pequannock Twp.) 37 Kareem Cooper...CB, 5-9, 185, So. Staten Island, N.Y. (Curtis) 38 Garrett Askew...WR, 6-2, 210, Jr. Newark, N.J. (Hudson Catholic) 39 Dan Cuozzo...WR, 6-0, 200, So. Somerville, N.J. (Somerville) 41 Alfred Pryor...OLB, 6-0, 195, So. Bronx, N.Y. (Evander Childs) 42 Chris Bouchard...OLB, 6-2, 205, R-Fr. Troy, N.Y. (Catholic Central) 43 Raymond Dorcely...OLB, 6-0, 190, So. Spring Valley, N.Y. (Spring Valley) 44 Ben Miseikis...TB, 5-10, 205, Fr. Amsterdam, N.Y. (Amsterdam) 45 Dave Plungas...ILB, 6-2, 230, R-Fr. Concord Twp., Ohio (Mentor Lake Catholic) 46 Justin Petersen...FB, 6-0, 230, So. Palmerton, Pa. (Palmerton Area) 47 Ben Carl...FB, 6-1, 207, R-Fr. Syracuse, N.Y. (Solvay) 48 Justinian Mason...S, 6-1, 185, Fr. Mason, Ohio (Cincinnati St. Xavier) 48 Tristan Akong...TB, 6-0, 184, Fr. Springfield Gardens, N.Y. (St. Francis Prep) 49 Mike Browne...CB, 5-9, 185, Fr. Buffalo, N.Y. (Canisius) 49 Allen Eggleston...TB, 5-8, 185, Fr. Powell, Ohio (Olentangy Liberty) 50 Rich Duff...OLB, 6-1, 210, Sr. Saratoga Springs, N.Y. (Saratoga Springs) 51 Chris Simpson...ILB, 6-0, 230, Sr. Victor, N.Y. (Victor Central) 52 Eddie Tretina...ILB, 6-0, 215, Fr. Cherry Hill, N.J. (Camden Catholic) 53 Mike Kelly...DE, 6-2, 235, Jr. West Long Branch, N.J. (Red Bank Catholic) 54 Justin Brancaccio...ILB, 6-0, 230, Sr. Rockaway, N.J. (Morris Knolls) 55 Kyle O Keefe...OG, 6-3, 285, So. Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Roy C. Ketcham) 56 Marc Wargo...DE, 6-2, 235, So. East Windsor, N.J. (Hightstown) 57 Chris Wilk...ILB, 6-2, 230, So. Philadelphia, Pa. (Archbishop Ryan) 58 Zach Stocum...DT, 6-2, 240, Fr. Painesville, Ohio (Riverside) 59 Michael Longo...DT, 6-2, 260, R-Fr. Lawrenceville, Ga. (Central Gwinnett) 60 Adam Geleta...C, 6-3, 285, Fr. Clifton Park, N.Y. (Shenendehowa) 61 Chaz Mitchell...OT, 6-3, 250, So. Rochester, N.Y. (East) 62 Andy Sparano...OG/C, 5-11, 270, Jr. Colleyville, Texas (Grapevine) 63 Dan Halperin...ILB, 6-0, 220, Fr. Altamonte Springs, Fla. (Trinity Prep) 64 Vince Gonzales...OT, 6-4, 275, Jr. Ballston Spa, N.Y. (Ballston Spa) 65 Eldred Richards...OG/C, 6-3, 285, R-Fr. Plainsboro, N.J. (West Windsor-Plainsboro) 66 Matt Faughnan...OG, 6-3, 275, Jr. Binghamton, N.Y. (Chenango Forks) 67 Andrew Bartholomew...P, 6-2, 210, R-Fr. Cobleskill, N.Y. (Cobleskill-Richmondville) 68 Bobby Woods...P, 5-9, 185, Jr. Sayreville, N.J. (Sayreville) 69 Matt Custer...OT, 6-5, 300, Fr. Ashburn, Va. (Stone Bridge) 70 Justin Anderson...OG, 6-5, 280, R-Fr. Clifton Park, N.Y. (Shenendehowa) 71 Keith Peifer...OT, 6-4, 280, So. Lewisberry, Pa. (Red Land) 72 Sean Kenny...P, 5-11, 190, R-Fr. Ghent, N.Y. (Chatham Central) 73 John Cunningham...DE, 6-2, 240, R-Fr. Broad Channel, N.Y. (St. Francis Prep) 74 Robinson Louis...DE, 6-0, 260, So. Spring Valley, N.Y. (Ramapo) 75 Kevin Richards...C, 6-2, 270, Sr. Clifton Park, N.Y. (Shenendehowa) 76 Kadeem Williams...OT, 6-7, 320, Fr. Jersey City, N.J. (Hudson Catholic) 77 Jordan Migliore...OT, 6-6, 295, R-Fr. Closter, N.J. (Northern Valley Regional) 78 Andrew Stevens...OG, 6-4, 280, Jr. Sarasota, Fla. (Sarasota) 79 Anthony Bazzoffi...OT, 6-3, 335, R-Fr. Albany, N.Y. (LaSalle Institute) 80 Luke Weaver...WR, 6-4, 215, So. Loudonville, N.Y. (Christian Brothers Acad.) 81 Rhakeem Wiggins...WR, 5-10, 165, Fr. Cheektowaga, N.Y. (Cheektowaga) 82 Matt Berwager...TE, 6-3, 235, Fr. Longwood, Fla. (Lake Brantley) 83 Johnny Keane...TE, 6-3, 230, Fr. Alpharetta, Ga. (Milton) 84 Matt Goss...TE, 6-4, 240, Fr. Ledgewood, N.J. (Roxbury) 85 Jason Poore...WR, 6-6, 210, Jr. North Hoosick, N.Y. (Hoosick Falls Central) 86 Bryon King...WR, 5-10, 165, R-Fr. Logan Township, N.J. (Kingsway Regional) 87 John Lullen...WR, 6-2, 195, So. Wesley Chapel, Fla. (Tampa Gaither) 88 Denny Wilhelm...TE, 6-5, 220, So. Glens Falls, N.Y. (Glens Falls) 89 Nate Papso...TE, 6-4, 220, Fr. Binghamton, N.Y. (Binghamton) 90 Tom Bradley...DE, 6-3, 220, Fr. Syracuse, N.Y. (Solvay) 91 Trevor Anderson...DT, 6-2, 285, Jr. Warnersville, N.Y. (Cobleskill-Richmondville) 92 Bennett Marquis...DE, 6-3, 240, R-Fr. Orchard Park, N.Y. (St. Francis) 93 Ocieka Bakou...DT, 6-0, 250, R-Fr. Rochester, N.Y. (Pittsford Sutherland) 94 Jahi Fields...DE, 6-3, 215, Fr. Hempstead, N.Y. (Hempstead) 95 Zach Gallo...DT, 6-0, 245, So. Sayville, N.Y. (Sayville) 96 Eddie Delaney...DE, 6-6, 240, So. Holtsville, N.Y. (Sachem East) 97 Tony Sparano...DE, 5-11, 245, Sr. Colleyville, Texas (Grapevine) 98 Corey Bundrage...DE, 6-3, 215, Fr. Liverpool, N.Y. (Liverpool) 99 Wil Moushey...DE, 6-4, 235, So. Glenshaw, Pa. (Shaler) UALBANY COACHING STAFF Bob Ford...Head Coach Mike Simpson...Defensive Coordinator Ryan McCarthy...Offensive Coordinator Drew Christ...Defensive Backs Bill Banagan...Defensive Line Don Mion...Cornerbacks Mike Morita...Offensive Line Samson Brown...Tight Ends Eric Evans...Wide Receivers Jamie Casullo...Running Backs Akeem Cedeno...Outside Linebackers Captain(s): Justin Brancaccio, Dave Casale, Vinny Esposito, David McCarty, Dave Nicomini
Season Preview UAlbany won its third Northeast ConferUAlbany put together its most celebrated campaign at the NCAA Division I FCS level last year by winning its second consecutive Northeast Conference title and becoming the first NEC program to be crowned Gridiron Classic champions. The seasons change, but the goals remain the same. I thoroughly believe in this bunch, offers UAlbany coach Bob Ford, who is first among active FCS head coaches with 234 career victories. We have solid senior leadership and a good work ethic. They have put to bed the 2008 season and want to get on with 2009. Ford has 45 letterwinners, including 14 starters, returning from a squad that finished with a 9-3 record, the top win total in the program s FCS history. The cupboard is not empty, Ford says. We have a decent nucleus on both sides of the football. There is better balance between the offense and defense. The Great Danes, who became just the second conference program to go undefeated in back-to-back seasons against league opponents, open with former national champions Georgia Southern and Massachusetts and last year s NCAA playoff participant Maine in preparation for the NEC schedule. OFFENSE: All-America tailback David McCarty leads an offense that averaged more than 26 points and 363 yards per game. McCarty, a preseason candidate for the Walter Payton Award, rushed for a school-record 1,852 yards and 13 touchdowns. McCarty set another standard with eleven 100-yard efforts, including 271 on the ground in the Gridiron Classic win against Jacksonville. He was second among the FCS rushing leaders (154.3 ypg). He has great balance, good vision, the unique ability to stay on his feet, and the great attribute of holding on to the football, Ford offers. Besides his great work ethic, he is an unselfish kid and that is hard to do at that position. Justin Gannon, a second-team All- NEC kick returner who works behind McCarty, may see his role increase. The speedy tailback accounted for 973 all-purpose yards as a junior. Senior quarterback Vinny Esposito continued to improve in his second season as a starter. He passed for 1,934 yards, the second-best figure in program history, and 13 touchdowns, plus upped his accuracy to a 60.3 completion percentage. His ability can t be measured on a film, explains Ford about a quarterback who ran for 10 touchdowns. He makes as many plays with his feet as with his arm. Although not fast, he has a good feel for the game. The Great Danes will have to reconfigure their offensive line following the graduation of one All-American and two all-league standouts. Kevin Richards (6-2, 270) made his second straight appearance on the All-NEC team. He anchored a line that blocked for a nationally-ranked rushing attack. Guards Andrew Stevens (6-4, 275) and Andy Sparano (5-11, 270) have starting experience. Sparano has also seen time at center and as a blocking tight end. Help is on the way in the form of guards Matt Faughnan (6-3, 275) and Kyle O Keefe (6-3, 275) and tackles Keith Peifer (6-4, 280) and Jordan Migliore (6-6, 295). UAlbany s Tim Bush returns after being granted an extra year of eligibility by the NCAA. The first-team allconference receiver caught 67 passes, a school record, for 794 yards and five touchdowns. Jason Poore, a 6 6" wideout, grabbed 15 passes for 146 yards and one TD. Chris Kenneally and Justin Petersen were reliable as H-backs, as the pair combined for 16 receptions. Paul Booker represents the future at the tight end position. DEFENSE: In 2008, the Great Danes led the conference in scoring defense and rushing yards allowed. The unit was dominant in the stretch run, as evidenced in the shutout of Pioneer Football League champion Jacksonville. Justin Brancaccio, a first-team All- NEC inside linebacker, is one reason why UAlbany allowed 14.9 points per game in conference play. He led the team with 91 tackles. Chris Simpson, who moved back inside last year, made 38 tackles and solidified his spot with a great spring. Justin has pretty good instincts, plays the run well and is tough physically, Ford says. He has that mean streak to go with being mentally tough. The Great Danes appear to be loaded at outside linebacker. Dave Nicomini (6-3, 230) missed all of last season with a knee injury after earning first-team all-conference honors the previous year. He has 169 career tackles. Returning starter Rich Duff (46 tackles) is always around the ball. Chris Blais (31 tackles) has found a home after working in the secondary. Trevor Anderson (6-2, 285) may be ready to step in for All-America defen- TB David McCarty is a Walter Payton Award candidate as the top FCS player. sive tackle Tom Pandolf. The junior had 37 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He has every tool when his motor is running, Ford explains. He has size and explosiveness. Mike Kelly (6-2, 235) and Tony Sparano (5-11, 245) are both sound and productive defensive ends. Kelly came of age with 52 tackles and 5.5 sacks. Sparano had 18 hits despite playing half the season due to injury. He has appeared in 24 career games. All-NEC second-team selection Eddie Delaney (6-6, 235) was impressive as a redshirt freshman. Delaney, who plays with one hand, totaled 37 tackles and was second on the team with six pass deflections. Marc Wargo (6-2, 235) looks like a promising end after switching from outside linebacker. The defensive backfield is led by All- ECAC performer Dave Casale, who recorded the most interceptions by a UAlbany defender since 1990 with seven. Casale, a fierce hitter, was second on the team with 74 tackles. He is an excellent football player who has far exceeded my expectations, Ford states. He is a team kid. Safeties Emerson Kinsey and Jake Ciccarello made the change from outside linebacker during the spring. He (Kinsey) has the speed to play the position and could be the fastest on the team, Ford says. Ross Bertrand (36 tackles, 4 PBUs) and Jean Juste (27 tackles) are proven cornerbacks. Daniel Avery, who was all over the field in the spring game, totaled 17 tackles and two interceptions. KICKING GAME: Sophomore Herb Glass was third on the squad in scoring with 51 points, plus handled kickoffs. Iona transfer Bobby Woods and freshman Paul Layton will try to replace a record-setting punter.