Smithfield, R.I. - UAlbany continues its 2010 schedule with a road trip to Northeast Conference opponent Bryant on Saturday, Oct. 30. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. Fans can listen to the game on Fox Sports 980, WOFX-AM, with Rodger Wyland and Erik Elken handling play-by-play.
Bryant (4-3, NEC 1-3) is in the third of a four-year NCAA Division I reclassification. The Bulldogs will be a full member of the Northeast Conference in 2012-13. Head coach Marty Fine, who has 17 returning starters, previously led the program to NCAA Division II playoff appearances in 2006 and 2007. RB Jordan Brown is second among the conference leaders in rushing (120.6 ypg) and first in all-purpose yards (184.9 ypg). RB Mike Canfora adds 344 rushing yards and has scored seven touchdowns. QB Mike Croce has connected on 84 of 147 pass attempts for 1,010 yards and 10 TDs. He has spread the football to 10 different receivers.
The Bulldogs, who have not lost on their home field this season, are led defensively by LB Jason Riffe. A 6-foot, 230-pound defender, Riffe is third in the conference in tackles with 78 and second in sacks (5.0). Samad Wagstaff, a junior cornerback, totals 30 tackles, four pass break-ups and two interceptions.
UAlbany (3-4, NEC 1-3) is coming off a 30-27 overtime setback to Central Connecticut State, one of two unbeaten teams in NEC play. Joe Izzo's 32-yard field goal capped a comeback from an 18-point halftime deficit. Redshirt freshman Buddy Leathley was impressive in his first start as a collegian at quarterback. Leathley rushed for 112 yards and one touchdown and passed for 101 yards and one score. He is the first UAlbany signal-caller to gain 100 yards in both categories since 1989. TB Andrew Smith is the top runner with 474 yards and four TDs this season. WR Ryan Kirchner has 34 receptions and one touchdown. ILB Jon Morgan totaled a career-high 13 tackles last week, the top mark by a UAlbany defender in more than two years.
Paw Prints: UAlbany and Bryant are meeting for the second time ... the Great Danes rallied for a 20-17 win last year ... UAlbany played in its fourth overtime game on Oct. 22, but first ever at University Field ... the Great Danes have played in three game decided by three points this season, including victories over Maine and Yale ... Bob Ford is first among active Division I FCS coaches with 244 career victories ... CB Ross Bertrand (132) and DT Trevor Anderson (126) are the team's active career leaders in tackles.
Football - UAlbany vs. Bryant Preview - http://fb.me/JRhcQCzI
