The UAlbany football team finished the 2021 season with an overall record of 2-9, going 1-7 in conference play. Although the Great Danes suffered nine losses on the year, a closer look shows that five of games were decided by a single score. Also, the competition the Great Danes faced was elite – having played three teams that finished in the STATS Perform FCS Top 25 Poll to end the year in No. 1 North Dakota State, the eventual FCS Champions, No. 6 Villanova, and No. 19 Delaware. In addition, William & Mary received votes in the poll, and another loss the Great Danes suffered came from the hands of FBS member Syracuse.
The offense was highlighted by running back Karl Mofor, who rushed for 962 yards on the year, 87.45 yards per game, with 12 touchdowns. His biggest game of the year came against New Hampshire where he ran the ball 45 times, a UAlbany single-game record, for 222 yards in the team’s win of the season. He was named to the CAA First Team for his efforts.
The defense was led by freshmen Jared Verse and Jackson Ambush. Verse, a defensive end, led the team with 9.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss. He finished the year with 52 total tackles, 31 solo and 21 assisted, with 13 quarterback hits and a forced fumble. Ambush, a linebacker, led the team with 97 tackles on the year, 53 solo and 44 assisted. He added five tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Verse was named to the CAA First Team, Ambush was named to the CAA Third Team.
