Score: UAlbany 17, Marshall 21
 
Location: Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia
 
Records: UAlbany (1-1, 0-0 CAA) | Marshall (1-0, 0-0 Sun Belt)
 
Short Story: The University at Albany football team played a hard-fought game down to the wire against FBS foe Marshall on Saturday night. In front of a crowd of 25,000, the Great Danes almost pulled off a major upset – leading by as much as 10 points in the third quarter.
 
Key Stat Lines

• Reese Poffenbarger – 22-38, 194 yards, TD, 37 rush yards, rush TD
• Brevin Easton – 6 rec, 43 yards
• Jackson Parker – 5 rec, 51 yards, TD
• Dylan Kelly – 12 tackles, 6 solo
• Elijah Hills – 5 tackles, 1.5 TFL, blocked FG
• Nate Larkins – 13 rushes, 39 yards
• John Opalko – 1-2 FG, long 46

 
How it Happened:

• Marshall marched into the UAlbany red zone with three minutes remaining in the first quarter, but the team was held scoreless. On fourth and one from the 14-yard line, defensive back Aamir Hall broke up an end zone pass to force the turnover on downs.
• After a scoreless first quarter, UAlbany had a chance to go up 3-0 with 10 minutes remaining in the half, but the kick attempt went wide left from 37 yards out.
• The first score of the game came courtesy of the Great Danes with six seconds remaining in the opening half. John Opalko hit a 46-yard field goal to put UAlbany up 3-0. The drive gained 20 yards on six plays, leaving Marshall with no time for another drive.
• The UAlbany defense held Marshall scoreless in the first half. The Herd only managed to gain 52 yards on the ground and 122 yards through the air. The UAlbany offense managed 21 yards on the ground and 83 yards through the air.
• The Great Danes pushed the lead to 10-0 coming out of the locker room, driving 75 yards on their first possession of the second half. Poffenbarger was able to escape from the pocket to find a wide-open Jackson Parker in the end zone to give UAlbany the two-score lead.
• Marshall responded with the team's first points of the game on the ensuing possession. The Herd drove 65 yards on eight plays for the score, making it 7-10 with 6:50 remaining in the third quarter. The drive was capped by a 19-yard reception by Chuck Montgomery, who tip-toed the sideline for the touchdown.
• The Great Danes made it three-straight possessions with a score on their next drive. On fourth and one from his own 44-yard line, Poffenbarger faked a handoff and ran the ball 56 yards to the house, putting UAlbany up by 10 points once again, 17-7, with 3:31 remaining in the third.
• The Herd were not deterred however, gaining large chunks of yards on just a few plays to eventually score to make it 17-14. The drive only lasted three plays but covered 65 yards. Rasheen Ali ran it in from 13 yards out to finish it off.
• Marshall took the lead early in the fourth quarter. Ali was handed the ball on a fourth and one from UAlbany 30, taking it all the way to the house to put The Herd up 21-17. The drive covered 54 yards on six plays, giving Marshall its first lead of the night.
• Aamir Hall recorded his first interception as a Great Dane with 9:30 remaining in the game, picking off Marshall's Cam Fancher at the UAlbany 42-yard line. Hall managed to gain an extra 12 yards on the return before being brought down.
• Facing fourth and three from Marshall's 26-yard line with seven minutes remaining, Poffenbarger was unable to connect on a deep ball to Brevin Easton, resulting in a turnover on downs.
• Elijah Hills was able to get a hand on a Marshall field goal attempt with 2:33 remaining, keeping the score 21-17.
• Driving down the field with under two minutes remaining, the Great Danes were held on fourth down at midfield to close out the game.

Next: The Great Danes will make their longest trip in recorded history as they travel nearly 5,000 miles to take on yet another FBS opponent in Hawai'i next Saturday. Keep up with all of the latest news, highlights, and insights on UAlbany football by following the team on X , Instagram, and Threads, and by using the hashtags #UAUKNOW and #WinTheDay.