Football Opens 2015 Campaign With First FBS Clash At Buffalo
GAME NOTES I ESPN3 I RADIO I LIVE STATS
ALBANY, N.Y. -- The University at Albany football team kicks off the 2015 season in Western New York on Labor Day weekend, taking on the University at Buffalo -- UAlbany's inaugural FBS opponent. The game will air live on ESPN3 at 3:30 p.m. from UB Stadium.
UALBANY-BUFFALO SERIES
During the programs' Division III eras, the squads met 11 times with UAlbany owning a 7-4 advantage in the series. The Great Danes won the last two meetings against the Bulls, taking a 22-21 victory at Buffalo in 1987 and a 28-20 home triumph in 1988.
UALBANY'S 2014 IN REVIEW
With a 7-5 overall record and 3-5 mark in the CAA, Greg Gattuso led the Great Danes to a six-win turnaround in his inaugural season. Going undefeated in non-conference play while opening the season with four straight victories, the Great Danes received votes in the national polls for 10 consecutive weeks. UAlbany appeared in The Sports Network Top-25 for four weeks, ranking as high as No. 23. Enforcing discipline and care of the football, UAlbany led the nation in turnover margin (1.25) as well as fumble recoveries (20), while quarterback Will Fiacchi became UAlbany's all-time leading passer with 7,150 career yards and broke the program's single-season passing record with 2,636 yards. Marking the University's second season as an associate member of the CAA, Gattuso led the Danes to the program's first three CAA wins, overcoming Rhode Island, Maine, and Stony Brook. True freshman wide receiver Josh Gontarek was named the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, headlining UAlbany's group of seven players who were honored by the CAA. Running back Omar Osbourne was named to the second team, while tight end Brian Parker, offensive lineman Kevin Malloy, place kicker Patrick Toole, and linebacker Michael Nicastro were all named to the CAA's third team. In addition, wide receiver Jake Meek was the recipient of the CAA's Chuck Boone Leadership Award.
SCOUTING BUFFALO
Lance Leipold enters his first season at the helm, coming to UB from Wisconsin-Whitewater where he compiled an astounding 109-6 record and won six Division III National Championships over his eight seasons. A six-time National Coach of the Year, Leipold reached 100 career victories faster than any other coach in NCAA history – at any level. The Bulls return 12 starters -- nine on offense and five on defense -- from the 2014 squad that went 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the Mid-American Conference. Top returners include senior running back Anthone Taylor who averaged 127.5 rushing yards per game and totaled 12 touchdowns, senior quarterback Joe Licata who threw for 2,647 yards and 29 TDs, and senior wide receiver Ron Willoughby who caught 50 balls for a total of 771 yards and nine touchdowns.
A UALBANY WIN WOULD…
- Improve UAlbany's record to 1-0 overall.
- Give UAlbany a 1-0 all-time record vs. FBS opponents.
- Improve UAlbany's series record to 8-4 against Buffalo.
- Improve UAlbany's Division I opening day record to 7-10.
- Improve UAlbany's all-time varsity record to 264-175.
- Improve Coach Gattuso's career record to 105-37.
- Improve Coach Gattuso's record at UAlbany to 8-5.
A UALBANY LOSS WOULD…
- Make UAlbany's record 0-1 overall.
- Give UAlbany an 0-1 all-time record vs. FBS opponents.
- Drop UAlbany's series record to 7-5 against Buffalo.
- Drop UAlbany's Division I opening day record to 6-11.
- Drop UAlbany's all-time varsity record to 263-176.
- Drop Coach Gattuso's career record to 104-38.
- Drop Coach Gattuso's record at UAlbany to 7-6.
GATTUSO NAMES CROOK AS STARTING QUARTERBACK
Greg Gattuso announced Friday, Aug. 28 that redshirt sophomore DJ Crook will be the Great Danes' starting quarterback for their season opener at Buffalo on Sept. 5. Crook, a 6-1, 215 pound native of West Barnstable, Mass., transferred to UAlbany last spring from Penn State. He served as the Nittany Lions' backup quarterback as a redshirt freshman in 2014. Playing in two games, Crook completed 6-of-9 passes for 57 yards and a touchdown in Penn State's win over Massachusetts. In UAlbany's 2015 Spring Game, Crook completed 6-of-8 attempts, totaling 38 passing yards. Freshman Neven Sussman will back up Crook, while redshirt junior Dan Harding, and freshman Will Brunson add depth to a solid regime.
GATTUSO ON CROOK: “He's not afraid of contact. He's kind of built like a linebacker out there and he's got a good arm. Right now he's just trying to absorb the offense. He can run and move to get out of trouble and has the arm strength to make the throws we need him to make.”
UALBANY RETURNS FOUR ALL-CAA PLAYERS
The Great Danes return four All-CAA players from 2014 in Josh Gontarek, Kevin Malloy, Patrick Toole, and Michael Nicastro
JOSH GONTAREK, So., WR, Mount Airy, Md.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Finished his rookie campaign with a team-high nine touchdowns, 58 receptions, and 687 receiving yards … Named CAA Rookie of the Week four times and is on the Jerry Rice Award Watch List and CFPA Freshman Performer of the Year Watch List … Totaled a season-high 118 receiving yards and two touchdowns against Delaware (Nov. 8).
KEVIN MALLOY, RJr., OL, East Northport, N.Y.
Third-Team All-CAA Offense
Started all 12 games at left tackle … Helped UAlbany's offense to 26.8 points per game, good for fifth in the conference … Protected quarterback Will Fiacchi, allowing him to break the single-season passing record (2,636 yards) and career passing record (7,150 yards).
PATRICK TOOLE, RSr., PK, Walkill, N.Y.
Third-Team All-CAA Offense
Named CAA Special Teams Player of the Week twice … Made 12-of-18 field goal attempts, including a CAA season-long 52-yarder against Maine (Oct. 18) and a 46-yarder vs. Rhode Island (Sept. 20) … Made 38-of-39 PAT's.
MICHAEL NICASTRO, RJr., LB, Clarksville, Md.
Third-Team All-CAA Defense
Ranked third in the CAA with 120 tackles (54 solo) this fall, averaging 10.0 per game … Recorded a 40-yard fumble recovery at Villanova (Nov. 15) and had a key interception for 14-yards in UAlbany's win over Stony Brook (Nov. 22) … Also picked off a pass for 24-yards against Richmond (Oct. 11).
UALBANY FOOTBALL REVEALS ALTERNATE UNIFORM
The UAlbany football program unveiled an alternate third uniform Thursday, Aug. 27, which will be worn on the Sept. 12 home opener versus Rhode Island. A change from the program's traditional gold helmets and purple home jerseys, the alternate uniform features a purple helmet with “UAlbany” written in an arch, Nike's Anthracite Grey as a base jersey and pant color, and detailed accents of purple and gold throughout.
UALBANY FOOTBALL TO HAVE FOUR GAMES FEATURED IN CAA TV LINEUP
CAA Football has finalized its television package for the 2015 season, and is again set to feature one of the nation's top lineups with partners NBCSN, NBC Sports Regional Networks and the American Sports Network. The UAlbany football program will have four of its games featured in the bundle, including the home opener on Sept. 12 versus Rhode Island, marking the season's first conference matchup. The clash kicks off CAA Football's 2015 television package at 3:30 p.m. on American Sports Network (ASN). The following Saturday, the Great Danes will travel to take on James Madison at 3 p.m. on NBC Sports Regional Networks/Comcast SportsNet. Back at Bob Ford Field for two games on ASN, UAlbany hosts Villanova on Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m., and concludes the home slate against New Hampshire at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21.
GONTAREK NAMED TO CAA PRESEASON ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
UAlbany wide receiver Josh Gontarek was named to the CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team, announced at the conference's annual Media Day at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Gontarek, a sophomore from Mount Airy, Md., was the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2014. Boasting the highest freshman output in program history, Gontarek recorded a team-high nine touchdowns (8 receiving, 1 rushing), 58 receptions, and 687 receiving yards. In addition, Gontarek was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, was named the CAA Rookie of the Week four times, and was honored as the FCS National Freshman of the Week after leading the Great Danes to the program's first CAA victory.
UALBANY SELECTED 10TH IN PRESEASON POLL
UAlbany was selected 10th out of the conference's 12 teams in the 2015 CAA Football Preseason Predicted Order of Finish. Villanova was the league favorite, earning 14 first-place votes. The Great Danes were also picked 10th in 2014, but finished the season in ninth place with a 7-5 overall record and 3-5 mark in the CAA. The CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team and predicted order of finish were voted on by the conference's head coaches and communications personnel.
1. Villanova (14)
2. James Madison (5)
3. New Hampshire (5)
4. William & Mary
5. Richmond
6. Delaware
7. Maine
8. Stony Brook
9. Towson
10. UAlbany
11. Rhode Island
12. Elon
1985 FOOTBALL TEAM, DMITRENKO TO BE INDUCTED INTO UALBANY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME
The University at Albany has announced that it will induct Blair Buchanan (Volleyball, 2003-06), Amber Maisonet (Softball, 2005-08), Luke Daquino (Men's Lacrosse, 2002-05), Kevin Rae (Men's Lacrosse, 2002-05), Scott Dmitrenko (Football, 1984-85), and the 1985 football team into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 26.
Scott Dmitrenko (Football, 1984-85)
A two-year member of the UAlbany football team, Scott Dmitrenko led the 1985 Great Danes to the ECAC North Championship title. A product of Shenendehowa High School, Dmitrenko recorded 123 tackles (34 solo) in the 1985 season, which currently ranks 10th all-time in the program's record book. In the ECAC Championship game versus Plymouth State, Dmitrenko totaled 14 tackles and made a key 4th-and-1 stop that garnered the linebacker ECAC Defensive Player of the Week honors. After graduation, Dmitrenko went on to compete professionally in the Arena Football League. As a member of the Pittsburgh Gladiators, he played in the inaugural Arena Bowl in 1987.
1985 Football Team
Under the direction of head coach Bob Ford, the 1985 University at Albany football team rallied from a three-touchdown deficit to capture a 33-21 victory over Plymouth State in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) North Championship. With a 9-2 overall record on the season, the Great Danes ended Plymouth's 28-game home win streak. The '85 team boasted offensive and defensive units that were nationally ranked, and featured five Pizza Hut and one Associated Press All-America players. UAlbany chalked up three shutouts on the season and held opponents scoreless in the second half in six of 11 games. Celebrating the feat's 30-year anniversary, the 1985 team marks the second football team to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining the undefeated 1974 squad.
FOUR FORMER NFL PLAYERS ON STAFF
The Great Danes have four former NFL players currently on the coaching staff -- associate head coach Bernard Clark, offensive line coach Jim Sweeney, defensive line coach Delbert Cowsette, and tight ends coach Nate Byham. Clark was a linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals and Seattle Seahawks, playing three seasons in the NFL and two in the AFL. A 16-year veteran of the NFL, Sweeney was second round pick in the 1984 draft. He was named to the All-NFL Rookie Team after his first season with the New York Jets and played 11 seasons with the Jets with 158 consecutive starts. Cowsette was drafted by the Washington Redskins and played for the New York Giants, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Chicago Bears from 2000-06. Lastly, Byham was sixth round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He battled in 29 NFL games, playing 14 games, including three starts, with the 49ers before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
UALBANY FOOTBALL WEEKLY ON MY4
For the second straight year, a UAlbany football coaches show will air on MY4 (WNYA) this season. NBC13 (WNYT) sports director Rodger Wyland hosts the 30-minute show with new Great Danes football coach Greg Gattuso every Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
UP NEXT
The Great Danes welcome Rhode Island to Bob Ford Field Sept. 12 for their home-opener and first CAA clash of the season. The game will air live on the American Sports Network. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
