2025 Football Season Preview

ALBANY, N.Y. – The University at Albany football team is prepped for another exciting year. With a new coach at the helm of the program, and a swath of new talent, the Great Danes are set to kick off 2025 at Iowa this upcoming Saturday. 

Game 1 Info

at Iowa (0-0, 0-0 Big Ten, FBS)

Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa

6:00 p.m. EST

FS1 | Listen Live | Live Stats

National Television

The Great Danes will start the 2025 campaign on national television, with FS1 carrying the action live. Eric Collins will be on the call with Spencer Tillman as a color analyst. 

Players to Watch

Thomas Joe-Kamara – Defensive Back | Sr.

• CAA Preseason Honorable Mention.
• Played in 11 games last season, his first at UAlbany.
• Totaled 50 tackles (26 solo, 24 assisted) with an interception.

Griffin Woodell – Running Back | Jr.

• 2023 CAA Offensive Rookie of the year and Jerry Rice Award finalist.
• Tallied 892 rushing yards and 255 receiving yards with 12 total touchdowns (8 rushing, 4 receiving).
• Appeared in seven games in 2024 but had limited numbers due to injury.

 
Denzel Patrick – Defensive Back | Sr.

• Enters fifth season at UAlbany.
• Played in 12 games last year.
• Totaled 54 tackles.
• Recorded a season-high seven tackles three times, at West Virginia, at Rhode Island, and against Hampton.
• Forced a fumble against New Hampshire.

Caden Burti – Wide Receiver | Jr.

• Enters third season at UAlbany.
• Played in all 12 games last season.
• Tallied 271 yards and three TDs on 24 catches.
• Collected a season-high 76 yards at Rhode Island

Jojo Uga – Running Back | So.

• Played in 11 games as a true freshman.
• Rushed for 422 yards and six TDs on 100 attempts.
• Found the end zone on the ground five games in a row, against Maine, at Cornell, at Bryant, against Elon, and at Delaware.

2025 Schedule

The 2025 season kicks off on Aug. 30 with a trip to Iowa of the Big Ten (FBS) before the team faces its first FCS opponent, Delaware State, the next weekend on Sept. 6. 

The team will now play its home opener the following Saturday against New Haven before a rematch with Cornell is scheduled to round out non-conference action at home the next week. UAlbany defeated Cornell in 2024, taking down the Big Red, 31-10, on the road.

Conference play picks up on Sept. 27 with a trip to New Hampshire. The Great Danes then return to Casey Stadium for two straight home games, separated by the team's bye week, against Stony Brook on Oct. 4 and Rhode Island on Oct. 18. The battle for the Golden Apple against the Seawolves will be the earliest in the year the game has been played dating all the way back to 2007, when the two foes faced off on Oct. 6.

UAlbany then runs into back-to-back road games, facing Villanova on Oct. 25 and William & Mary on Nov. 1. The final two home games of the 2025 season follow with matchups against Bryant on Nov. 8 and Towson on Nov. 15. It will be the first time the Bulldogs come to Casey Stadium as a CAA opponent, having last played in Albany during the 2019 season. William & Mary returns to the Capital Region after last playing the Great Danes in 2023.

The 2025 regular season wraps up on Nov. 22 with a trip to West Long Branch, N.J., for a matchup against Monmouth.

Tickets, Tickets, Tickets

2025 football full season and single game tickets are officially on sale. 

Single game tickets can be purchased for the 2025 season via UAlbany's online ticketing system, Ticket Return. Single game parking passes are also available and can be added to your ticket order.

Full season tickets for the six-game home slate start at $125. CLICK HERE to purchase season tickets for the upcoming season. Reminder for fans, UAlbany Athletics is fully cashless and utilizes digital ticketing. Fans are encouraged to save game tickets and parking passes to mobile wallets in advance of games. For questions on all UAlbany Football ticketing, contact the Ticket Office at (518) 442-DANE or email GreatDaneTickets@albany.edu.

Did you say students are FREE?

UAlbany students are able to attend ALL UAlbany home events for free. To secure a ticket for any football home game, students are directed to download the official UAlbany Sports App from the Apple Store or from Google Play. Students will be asked to provide their UAlbany credentials when logging in to claim their free ticket. It’s highly encouraged that students do this ahead of time to ensure a smooth check in at the gates. 

Students can also purchase student guest tickets through the app to ensure that they sit with any friends who decide to join them at UAlbany football games throughout the season. 

QB1

Quarterback Van Weber was expected to be the starting quarterback heading into the 2025 season, but a season-ending injury in the spring slashed that expectation. Instead, the Great Danes entered fall camp with six quarterback competing for the job. Fighting for first team reps included senior Jack Shields (Buffalo/Old Dominion), junior Colin Parachek (Dexter/Marshall), sophomore Aidan Semo (El Camino/Georgia), sophomore Kyle Keckler (Spring Ford/Lock Haven) and freshmen Levi Kulik and Frankie Williams. 

The winner? Shields. 

Shields committed to UAlbany in April and joined the program after spring practice concluded. He was familiar with UAlbany from the pipeline of several ODU players who have transferred to the Great Danes. He played for ODU from 2021 to 2023 before transferring to Buffalo in 2024. 

His most action came during the 2023 season in which he appeared in six games for the Monarchs, making two starts. In his first career start, he completed 11-of-23 passes for 95 yards and a touchdown, also running for a 66-yard touchdown. He completed his season with 353 passing yards and two TDs. In 2024, he appeared in three games for the Bulls. 

When asked on the decision to name Shields the starter, Coach Ambrose stated "If I was going to put it in simplest terms, he's got game. Not to take anything away from the other guys. But consistently throughout camp, Jack was protecting the ball, operating the offense, making plays. He's a tremendous passer and he's a hell of a competitor."

Oh Captain My Captian

Five captains were named ahead of the 2025 campaign, voted on by the team. Leading the Great Danes this year will be:
Jack Shields – Quarterback
Brad Igweike – Defensive Back
Ron Holmes – Linebacker
Josh Gaffney – Offensive Line
Thomas Joe-Kamara – Defensive Back

In addition, a Leadership Council has also been established to lead each class. Leading all fourth year players will be Thomas Joe-Kamara and Denzel Patrick. Third year players will be led by Griffin Woodell and Balansama Kamara. Troy Berschwinger and Jordan Rae will lead second year players, and Jojo Uga and Erv Wiggins Jr. will lead first year players. 

Goodbye, Gattuso

On February fifth, Greg Gattuso officially stepped down as the team’s Head Coach. He left UAlbany to take a position with his alma mater, Penn State. Gattuso played for the Nittany Lions in the early 80's as a defensive lineman, helping the team to a National Title in 1982.

Gattuso was named the head coach of the Great Danes in December of 2013, becoming just the second person in the program's history to hold the title after legendary coach Bob Ford's retirement. In 11 seasons at UAlbany, Gattuso took the program to new heights as the team adjusted to the highly competitive Coastal Athletic Association.

2019 saw the program's second ever FCS Playoff appearance and first-ever playoff win, a 42-14 clobbering of Central Connecticut State.

The 2023 UAlbany football season was the best in program history. The Great Danes finished with an 11-4 overall record, going 7-1 in CAA action. Under Gattuso and his staff, the team claimed its first ever conference title, sharing it with Villanova and Richmond. The Great Danes claimed the crown of "Undisputed Champions" after defeating Villanova midway through the season, 31-10 at home, and taking down Richmond in the Second Round of the FCS Playoffs, 41-13 at home.

UAlbany was awarded the FCS Playoff's #5 seed, the highest the team has ever been ranked, while also receiving a First Round bye. The team's Second Round win over Richmond cemented the furthest the Great Danes had ever reached in the postseason, having previously reached the Second Round in 2019. In the Quarterfinals, UAlbany flew across the country to #4 Idaho – taking down the Vandals, 30-22, in the Kibbie Dome to advance to the National Semifinals before falling to South Dakota State, the top seed and eventual National Champions.

Throughout his career at UAlbany, Gattuso has tallied 54 victories, six Golden Apple titles, two FCS Playoff appearances, and three FCS Playoff wins. He is a two-time CAA Coach of the Year (2019, 2023) and was named the 2023 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) FCS Coach of the Year, the highest honor bestowed by the organization.

The Ambrose Era

Jared Ambrose has officially taken the helm of the program, serving as the team’s Interim Head Coach for the 2025 season. He takes over after serving as the team's Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach since 2022. He was elevated to Associate Head Coach ahead of the 2023 season.

Ambrose has been a staple in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA), where he has helped lead three different teams to the FCS National Semifinals, including one run to the FCS National Championship Game.

The UAlbany offense flourished under Ambrose in 2023 en route to the program's first-ever FCS National Semifinal appearance and first-ever CAA title. Quarterback Reese Poffenbarger finished as one of the top players in the nation, leading the country with 3,603 passing yards and 246 points responsible for. Wideout Brevin Easton finished fourth in the FCS with 1,086 receiving yards and third with 13 receiving touchdowns. Not far behind, wideout Julian Hicks finished fourth in receiving touchdowns with 11 while picking up 820 yards through the air. On the ground, rookie running back Griffin Woodell claimed the CAA Rookie of the Year award after a stellar season in which the freshman ran for 892 yards and eight touchdowns, adding another four through the air.

Coaching Staff Shakeup

With Ambrose taking over head coaching responsibilities, Bill Nesselt has been promoted to Associate Head Coach. In addition, Nesselt will continue to serve as the team's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Nesselt has spent eight years with UAlbany, joining in 2017 as a defensive assistant. He was named Defensive Coordinator ahead of the 2023 season, the same year his unit produced some of the best numbers in the FCS en route to the team winning its first ever CAA title and advancing to the NCAA FCS Semifinals.

On the offensive side of the ball, former UAlbany quarterback Will Fiacchi has been promoted to Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach. Fiacchi has been on the staff since 2017 when he joined as an offensive assistant. Moving through the ranks, Fiacchi most recently served as the team's Wide Receivers Coach and Passing Game Coordinator. In UAlbany's stellar 2023 season, wideouts Brevin Easton and Julian Hicks finished as two of the top targets in the entire nation in terms of receiving yards and receiving touchdowns.

On special teams, Jordan Orlovsky has been promoted to Special Teams Coordinator. Additionally, Orlovsky will continue to serve as the team's running backs coach and chief of staff. Orlovsky originally joined the Great Danes in 2018, working with the program's offensive line. After spending the 2019 season at Muhlenberg College, he returned in 2020 as UAlbany's Director of Football Operations and Outside Linebackers Coach. Throughout his time in the Capital Region, he has played a critical role in developing, monitoring and managing all contracts and logistics associated with football activities.

Five new coaches have also joined the staff for the 2025 season – Dave Bucar, Diamond Weaver, Mike Livingston, Jourdan Townsend, and Blidi Wreh-Wilson. Bucar comes in as the new Offensive Line Coach, Weaver will serve as the new Safeties Coach, and Livingston will serve as the new Cornerbacks Coach and Defensive Pass Game Coordinator. Townsend will take over as the Wide Receivers Coach and Wreh-Wilson will serve as a Defensive Assistant. 

Play Like AJ

The team will once again honor former Great Dane Amitral "AJ" Simon during the 2025 season with a special number dedication in each game.

In April of 2024, while preparing for the NFL Draft, Simon was tragically taken from us – sending shockwaves through both the UAlbany and football communities.

Before each contest in 2024, the UAlbany coaching staff designated one player to wear the number eight jersey, in game, to honor their fallen brother. The team, now under Interim Head Coach Jared Ambrose, will continue that tradition into 2025.

"Losing AJ was devastating for this team, this staff and administration, and the UAlbany community as a whole," said Ambrose. "He was more than a player; he was a leader, a friend, and a brother to every teammate he came in contact with."

The individual chosen to wear number eight will be one who best exemplifies Simon's work ethic and preparation in that week's practices. The football program will announce their selection leading up to games.

Simon was specifically known for his habits in practice, constantly pushing himself and others around him to rise to new levels.

Ambrose added "Our program really bought into this number dedication last season. Guys worked their tails off in practice for a chance to represent AJ each week. It's an incredible honor to be bestowed upon them, and we are proud to say that this tradition will continue."

Simon spent two seasons with the purple and gold on the defensive line after transferring from Bloomsburg University. In two seasons, he racked up a total of 17.5 sacks, good for fourth all-time in the UAlbany record book. His 12.5 sacks in 2023 put him third all-time in UAlbany's single season rankings.

Jared Verse - Great Dane Doing Great Things

Former UAlbany football standout Jared Verse was named the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, announced at the annual NFL Honors ceremony presented by Invisalign in early February. Verse was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams with the 19th overall pick in April of 2024. In his first NFL season, he collected 66 total tackles with 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He led NFL all rookies in quarterback hits (18), pressures (77) and hurries (56). He ranked second among rookies in tackles for loss (11) and fifth in sacks (4.5). Among all NFL defensive players, Verse tied for second in hurries, fourth in pressures and tied for 32nd in tackles for loss. 

Verse recorded his first career sack against Detroit to start the season and became the fourth Rams rookie to record a sack in his debut. In Week 10, he became the first rookie to record a sack in three consecutive games since James Houston in 2022. According to Pro Football Focus, Verse has the best defensive grade (86.2), best pressure grade (83.7) and the fifth-best run defense grade (78.4) among all rookie defenders. From Weeks 9-17, he led all rookies in hurries (34), pressures (42), tied for second in forced fumbles (one), tied for fourth in tackles for loss (four) and tied for third in quarterback hits (six). Verse had a pair of seven-tackle games against Arizona in Week 2 and Philadelphia in Week 12.

In the postseason, Verse added an additional six tackles and two sacks in two games. The highlight of Verse's season came in the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs, where he returned a fumble 57 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

Verse played for the Purple and Gold from 2019 to 2021. After redshirting the 2019 season, he became an immediate impact player in the spring of 2021. In UAlbany's four games, Verse led the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) in tackles for loss (10) and ranked second in the conference with 4.0 sacks. He was named the CAA Defensive Rookie of the Year and was an All-CAA Second Team selection. In addition, he was named a Stats Perform FCS Jerry Rice Award Finalist as one of the best freshmen in the country.

Verse transferred to Florida State ahead of the 2022 season. In his first year with the Seminoles, he started nine games while recording 48 tackles, 17.0 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, three quarterback hurries, one fumble recovery, and one blocked field goal. His 0.75 sacks per game paced the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and ranked 17th nationally. He was named a First-Team All-American by The Athletic, First-Team All-ACC selection, and was named Florida State's Defensive MVP.
 
In his second season with FSU, Verse started 13 games for the Seminoles while recording 41 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, 11 quarterback hurries, three pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick. He was named an AFCA First-Team All-American, and a Second-Team All-American by ESPN, the Associated Press, USA Today and The Athletic. He was also named a First-Team All-ACC selection for the second consecutive year, becoming FSU's first two-time First-Team All-ACC defensive end since Reinard Wilson nearly 30 years ago.

2024 Recap

In a season that ended with a 4–8 overall record (2–6 in CAA play), UAlbany kicked things off with a strong showing, defeating LIU 27–21 for a home opener win. The team followed that with two solid road wins: a 31–10 triumph at Cornell, powered by 498 yards of total offense; and a gritty 24–17 victory at Bryant. The season finale brought drama and redemption, as UAlbany erased a 28–0 halftime deficit to beat Hampton 41–34.

Offensively, the Great Danes averaged 334.7 yards per game (4,016 total yards), with a ground game yielding 1,304 rushing yards (about 108.7 per game, 11 rushing TDs) and a passing attack accumulating 2,712 yards with 16 touchdowns. Some standout individual performances included Jojo Uga, who led the team with 422 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and Faysal Aden, contributing 330 rushing yards and a long of 84 yards. Seven McGee also made notable contributions as a receiving threat and scorer.

Defensively, the Great Danes allowed 1,932 rushing yards (161.0 per game) and 2,310 passing yards, for a total of 4,242 yards allowed—about 353.5 per game. One bright spot was the standout performance of linebacker Dontae Lunan, who led the CAA with 131 tackles and earned First-Team All-Conference honors and an FCS All-American Honorable Mention. 

Preseason Motivation

Rhode Island, which is coming off a program-best 11-3 season that included a share of the CAA Football championship and its first FCS playoff berth since 1985, has been picked to finish atop the standings in 2025 according to a vote of the league’s head coaches. The Rams received eight first-place votes and 163 points in the preseason poll. Monmouth garnered four first-place votes and was second with 142 points, while Villanova got the remaining two first-place tallies and was third with 139 points. Stony Brook (125 points) finished fourth in the voting and was followed by UNH (119 points), Towson (108 points), William & Mary (104 points) and Elon (98 points). Rounding out the poll were Maine (71 points), Campbell (53 points), Hampton (50 points), UAlbany (47 points), Bryant (32 points) and North Carolina A&T (23 points).

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