Albany, N.Y. - Defensive end Mike Kelly and his teammates engaged in their initial battle on the line of scrimmage, as the UAlbany football program finished up its first week of spring practice on Saturday, April 10 at University Field.
"We were happy to get out there and hit for the first time," said Kelly, whose team scrimmaged during the second hour of their fourth spring practice. "The defensive and offensive lines set the tone. It begins and ends there."
Kelly is pleased to be banging around on the field after developing compartment syndrome in his lower leg and having surgery. The injury, a compression of nerves and blood vessels that can lead to muscle damage, forced him off the field for three games last year. The senior from West Long Branch, N.J., had never missed a game since seventh grade.
"I have the perspective that this (football) could be taken away from you," explained Kelly, who had 26 tackles last season and is a long snapper on special teams. "I have always been a weight room and workout guy, but I have been focusing on doing the little things. I have a huge scar (on my leg) to remind me."
As a sophomore, Kelly led the Great Danes with 5.5 sacks and totaled 52 tackles. He put an exclamation point on a championship season by getting to the quarterback twice in his team's 2008 Gridiron Classic win over Jacksonville. But last year's leg injury slowed down his productivity.
At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Kelly is a key figure on a veteran defensive line. Along with first-team all-conference defensive tackle Trevor Anderson and veterans Eddie Delaney and Zach Gallo, the group is expected to cause havoc in the Northeast Conference.
"We are just trying to improve (during the spring)," Kelly stated. "Hopefully we are teaching the younger guys. Just listen, focus, and learn, and take in everything."
Words of wisdom from a player who understands a football career can end at any time. He wears a battle scar to prove it.
Paw Prints: UAlbany conducted its fourth spring practice on Saturday (April 10) ... the Great Danes worked on special teams, both punt and place-kicking, went through a seven-on-seven session, and ran 48 plays during the actual scrimmage period ... quarterbacks Dan Di Lella and Buddy Leathley each had 12 passing attempts during the scrimmage ... freshman tailback Tramaine Wilson rushed for 22 yards on five carries ... cornerback Ross Bertrand and inside linebacker Chris Wilk each recorded an interception ... defensive end Eddie Delaney and defensive tackle Zach Gallo each made three tackles ... freshman safety Justinian Mason totaled three tackles and two pass break-ups ... fullback Ben Carl caught two passes for 15 yards.
