RICHMOND, Va. – The University at Albany football team has been picked to finish 11^th out of 15 teams in the annual Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) announced today. In addition, Reese Poffenbarger (QB), Anton Juncaj (DL), and Dylan Kelly (LB) have all been named Preseason All-Conference Honorable Mention.
 
Voting for preseason all-conference teams and predicted order of finish is conducted by member institution head coaches.
 
Poffenbarger, a quarterback from Middletown, Md., completed nearly 62% of his passes in 11 games as a starter in 2022, throwing for 2,999 yards and 24 touchdowns against only four interceptions. At the end of the regular season, the six-time CAA Rookie of the Week shared the league lead for fewest interceptions, ranked second in total passing yards and passing yards per game, and tied for second in passing touchdowns. The quarterback from Maryland finished second in the 2022 Jerry Rice Award voting, given to the most outstanding freshman in the FCS. He was named the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year, the ECAC Division I FCS Rookie of the Year, and was placed on the All-CAA Third Team Offense. In addition, he was named a HERO Sports Freshman All-American and was selected to the Phil Steele/Draft Scout 2022 Freshman All-American Second Team Offense.
 
Kelly, a linebacker from Amhurst, N.Y., was named to the All-CAA Third Team Defense last season. He finished as UAlbany's leading tackler in 2022, recording 97.0 tackles (61 solo) and one sack. He also recorded one interception in UAlbany's home finale against Maine. Kelly led all CAA defenders with 61 solo tackles and ranked tied for fourth in the league in total tackles.
 
Juncaj, a defensive end from Port Jervis, N.Y., was named to the All-CAA Third Team Defense in 2022.  Juncaj was UAlbany's most disruptive defensive lineman last season, recording a team-high 12.0 tackles behind the line of scrimmage, including 4.5 sacks. Juncaj recorded a total of 38.0 tackles in 2022 (25 solo) and broke up two passes.
 
UAlbany finished the 2022 season with an overall record of 3-8, going 2-6 in conference play. The 2023 season kicks off on Aug. 26 with the team's home opener against Fordham. To view the full 2023 schedule, click here. To purchase tickets for the 2023 season, click here.
 
2023 CAA Football Predicted Order of Finish
1. William & Mary (13 first-place votes) – 195
2. New Hampshire (1 first-place vote) – 179
3. Richmond – 159
4. Delaware (1 first-place vote) – 149
5. Elon – 146
6. Rhode Island – 135
7. Villanova – 129
8. Monmouth – 94
9. Towson – 85
10. North Carolina A&T – 70
11. UAlbany – 64
12. Campbell – 62
13. Maine – 40
14. Stony Brook – 38
15. Hampton – 30
 
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