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FOOTBALL STORIES FOOTBALL COACH BOB FORD RECEIVES CITIZEN OF THE UNIVERSITY AWARD ON FRIDAY
The Citizen of the University Award recognizes outstanding
contributions to the University by a non-alumnus or alumna through
leadership, service or a special gift.
The list of previous recipients includes former UAlbany basketball
coach Richard “Doc” Sauers.
Ford, who has been UAlbany’s only head coach since football was
reinstated at the club level in 1970, has guided the program through a
transition to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly
Division I-AA) level.
He has a 34-year varsity record of 208-136 at the school, and his
217 career victories ranks second among active NCAA FCS coaches.
Coach Ford’s teams won a pair of Northeast Conference
championships in 2002 and 2003.
His UAlbany squads have a 78-41 record for a .655 winning
percentage over the last 11 years.
In 2006, the Great Danes posted a 7-4 record and recorded their
first-ever wins over national top-25 squads.
As a Division II program, UAlbany captured the 1997 and 1998
Eastern Football Conference championships.
The ’97 team established a school record with an 11-1 campaign.
Ford received the Gordon White-Herschel Nissenson Division II Coach
of the Year Award by the Metropolitan New York Football Writers
Association. Ford has been a member of the American Football Coaches Association’s Board of Trustees for 13 years and served as the AFCA president in 2000. He received the New York State Athletic Administrators Distinguished Service Award in 2005. UALBANY’S RASHAD BARKSDALE CHOSEN IN NFL DRAFT’S SIXTH ROUND BY
Barksdale, who has been projected as both a cornerback and safety
at the professional level, played just one season for head coach Bob Ford
and the Great Danes. He came
to the program as a walk-on last August after earning two varsity letters
as an outfielder on the UAlbany baseball squad.
Barksdale, who was named to the Football Gazette Mid-Major
All-America Team as an honorable mention selection, accounted for 39
tackles, three interceptions and three pass break-ups in 2006.
In addition, he averaged 8.5 yards per punt return.
UAlbany finished with a 7-4 record and tied for second in the
Northeast Conference standings. "I am living a story on ESPN," said Barksdale, who will report to the Eagles' rookie mini-camp on May 11. "I wanted to play baseball, so I never expected to ever hear my name in the NFL Draft. I feel lucky and I am very happy for my family. I look forward to the challenge of being the first player from this school to play in an NFL game." Kurt Campbell was the first Great Dane chosen in the NFL Draft when he went in the seventh round to the Green Bay Packers in 2005. He spent two years with the franchise. In addition, defensive end Andre Coleman (6-3, 274) and offensive lineman Jacob Hobbs (6-3, 303) have agreed to terms as free agents with the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles, respectively. Coleman was named to The Sports Network and Football Gazette Mid-Major All-America first-team units. He made his second straight appearance on the All-NEC first team. Coleman totaled 42 tackles and led the team in hits for a loss (13.0) and sacks (6.0). Hobbs, an offensive tackle on the collegiate level, was chosen to the 2006 Football Gazette Mid-Major All-America second team. He earned first-team All-NEC recognition.
FOOTBALL BEGINS SPRING PRACTICE ON APRIL 9 IN PREPARATION FOR 2007 SEASON Head
coach Bob Ford has 43
letterwinners, including 11 starters, back from a team that finished 7-4
overall. Once again, spring
practice provides the coaching staff with an opportunity to evaluate personnel
and work on the fundamentals of the game. "We
need to identify our two starting cornerbacks and establish Frank Blasinsky as
our quarterback," explains Ford, who has a 217-158-1 career record in 38
varsity seasons at the collegiate level. "Our
receivers struggled last year with catching the football, so we need to bring
that group along. We will be taking
a long look at our kickers, snappers and punt units on special teams." Ford
continues, "We are not in bad shape defensively, but we want to solidify
our defensive line rotation and be better in man coverage." OFFENSE:
Coach
Ford is making changes on an offense that ranked sixth in scoring and seventh
in total yards among the NEC leaders. Daniel
Bocanegra, last year's starting quarterback, will move to flanker and
work on special teams as a returner. Sophomore
Frank Blasinsky has been
installed in the No. 1 spot. He
played in nine games as a true freshman, throwing for 258 yards and one
touchdown. Ford has help on the way
with three incoming freshman QBs. The
Great Danes will have to replace three all-conference offensive linemen.
But both starting guards are back in Sam
Pagano (6-3, 305) and Jeff
Wentzell (6-4, 295). Pagano
was named to the Football Gazette I-FCS All-America Team as an honorable
mention selection. Raphael Nguti
(6-6, 330) is ready to continue a long-standing tradition of great tackles. Omar
Johnson is the top returning rusher
with 435 yards and seven touchdowns. Johnson,
a senior tailback, is among the school's all-time leaders with 17 career
rushing TDs. Colin
Simmons, who like Johnson will sit out spring workouts while recovering
from off-season surgery, ran for 215 yards as a freshman.
Sophomores Justin Gannon and David
McCarty will get most of the carries during the month of April.
Fullback Dan Beigel (6-2, 230) has been productive throughout his career.
He ran for 160 yards and one score last season. Irani
DeAraujo and Mike
Wall started at split end and flanker, respectively, last year.
DeAraujo had a team-high 28 receptions for 270 yards.
Mike Wall, who earned All-NEC honors as a kick returner, hauled in
15 passes for 217 yards and two TDs. Chris
Lore (6-3, 260) is the likely starter at tight end with his blocking
ability. DEFENSE:
The
Great Danes are coming off their best defensive campaign since moving to
Division I-FCS. UAlbany ranked
among the top-five nationally in three categories, including points allowed at
13.0 per game. Colin
Disch is about to become the school's
all-time tackles leader as he enters his senior campaign.
Disch is the team's most decorated individual as he made the AFCA (first
team) and Football Gazette (third team) All-America squads.
He was also voted mid-major linebacker of the year and the NEC's top
defender for the second year in a row. Disch
reached the 100-tackle mark for the third straight season (103) with his
quickness and speed. Trevor DuPoint (6-1, 220) and Mark Peretore (6-1, 230) were solid outside linebackers last season. DuPont made 34 tackles and scored on an interception return. Peretore was fourth on the team in tackles (48), including 25 unassisted. UAlbany's
defensive line performed at a high level throughout the season.
Defensive tackle Michael Dungey (6-2, 275) earned All-Northeast recognition and was
a first-team All-NEC choice. He
accounted for 34 tackles, including eight for a loss.
Defensive ends Jon Volpe (6-1, 260) and Mark
Sheehan (6-2, 255) were in the line's rotation.
Tackle Tom Pandolf (6-0, 260) was the team's most improved player with 29
tackles and 4.0 sacks. Graduation
wiped out most of UAlbany's starting secondary. Cornerbacks Jean
Juste (13 tackles) and L.B.
McCloskey (10 tackles) each saw significant time last year.
Dave Casale and Dave
West will get an opportunity at the free safety position.
Safety Dave Nicomini is a
physical defender, who had 51 tackles and two interceptions as a sophomore.
KICKING GAME: Junior Chris Lynch earned first-team all-conference honors after averaging 38.8 yards per punt. Lynch, who handled the place-kicking duties as a freshman, and Rob Wood are the kicking candidates.
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY ANNOUNCES 2007 GREAT DANES FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Albany, N.Y. -- University at Albany Vice President and Director of Athletics Lee McElroy announced on Wednesday, March 21 the school's football schedule for 2007. The Great Danes will play six games against Northeast Conference opposition. The non-league schedule features Montana, last year's Big Sky Conference champion, a first-ever meeting with Colgate, and Atlantic 10 Conference opponent Hofstra. UAlbany also meets Fordham, of the Patriot League, and Stony Brook, who is competing as an independent. The Great Danes begin on the road for the seventh time in the last nine years against Colgate on Saturday, Sept. 1. The Raiders have made seven NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) playoff appearances and captured five Patriot League titles. Associated Press All-America linebacker Mike Gallihugh made 140 tackles last season. UAlbany faces Hofstra in the home opener at University Field on Sept. 16. Kickoff is 6:00 p.m. Head coach Dave Cohen, a former Great Danes' assistant, has two excellent linebackers returning in first-team all-conference selection Gian Villante (92 tackles) and the A-10's defensive rookie of the year Luke Bonus (98 tackles). UAlbany travels to both Fordham (Sept. 8) and Montana (Sept. 22). The Grizzlies, who won the 2001 national championship, made their 14th consecutive FCS postseason appearance last year. Montana posted a 12-2 record and led the country in home attendance, averaging 22,600 at Washington-Grizzly Stadium. Defensive end Kroy Biermann, who had 78 tackles and 11 sacks, and placekicker Dan Carpenter (24 field goals) were each selected to the Associated Press All-America first team. Sacred Heart will be the opponent for Homecoming and Family Weekend on Oct. 13. Stony Brook (Oct. 6) and NEC-rival Robert Morris (Nov. 3) also visit University Field. The Sacred Heart and Stony Brook games start at 4:00 p.m. The Colonials, who are led by former New York Jets' head coach Joe Walton, are slated to play a 1:00 p.m. contest. Bob Ford, who is set to begin his 35th varsity season and is second among active FCS coaches with 217 career victories, has 43 letterwinners, including 11 starters, back from last year's squad. UAlbany posted a 7-4 record and tied for second in the NEC standings in 2006. Colin Disch, a member of the AFCA FCS All-America team and the NEC defensive player of the year, tops the list of returnees. Michael Dungey, a first-team all-conference defensive tackle, leads a unit that ranked among the top five nationally in points allowed, rushing defense and total defense. Left guard Sam Pagano (6-3, 305) earned second-team All-NEC recogniton. Chris Lynch, a first-team all-league punter, averaged 38.8 yards per attempt. Mike Wall, an all-conference special teams standout, returned kickoffs (24.9 yards per return) and punts (13.7 average). **************** 2007 University at Albany Football Schedule September -- 1 (Sat.), at Colgate, 1:00; 8 (Sat.), at Fordham, TBA; 15 (Sat.), Hofstra, 6:00; 22 (Sat.), at Montana, 3:05; 29 (Sat.), at Central Connecticut State*, TBA. October -- 6 (Sat.), Stony Brook, 4:00, 13 (Sat.), Sacred Heart* (HC), 4:00; 20 (Sat.), at St. Francis, Pa.*, 1:00; 27 (Sat.), at Wagner*, 1:00. November -- 3 (Sat.), Robert Morris*, 1:00; 10 (Sat.), at Monmouth*, 1:00. *Northeast Conference Opponent (HC) - Homecoming/Family Weekend All Times Eastern
UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY FOOTBALL RECEIVES COMMITMENTS FROM 18 STUDENT-ATHLETES Albany, N.Y. – University at Albany head football coach Bob Ford announced on Monday, Feb. 19 that 18 student-athletes have signed commitments to play for the Great Danes in the 2007-08 academic year. UAlbany finished with a 7-4 record and tied for second place in the Northeast Conference standings last season. The 2007 signing class is comprised of eight players from the state of New York, plus three from Florida, three from Pennsylvania, two from New Jersey and one each from Texas and Maryland. The breakdown by position includes three quarterbacks, four offensive linemen, two wide receivers, two running backs, three defensive linemen, one linebacker and three defensive backs. "We were able to sign three excellent defensive linemen and two cover cornerbacks," said Ford, who is second among active Division I-AA coaches with 217 career victories. "Those two areas were needs for a defense that is coming off a pretty good year. Terrell Dobbins has a chance to be a great tailback with his size, balance and vision. I like that fact that we attracted two big wide receivers and three quarterbacks, plus we added depth to our offensive line." The Great Danes landed three all-state players from New York, including defensive tackle Zach Gallo, wide receiver Luke Weaver and defensive end Kyle Hussey. Gallo, a Class A first-team selection by the New York State Sportswriters Association, earned All-Long Island honors twice. A three-time All-Suffolk County choice, Gallo totaled 54 tackles and six sacks as a senior. Weaver was named to the Class AA third team and was a consensus first-team All-Area wide receiver. He had 29 receptions for 581 yards and eight touchdowns, plus totaled 50 tackles and five interceptions as a defensive back. Hussey, a 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive end, made the Class AA all-state fourth team. He recorded 73 tackles, six tackles and three pass deflections and was chosen first-team All-Area by the Albany Times Union and Schenectady Daily Gazette. UAlbany extended its reach into the state of Pennsylvania. Tailback Terrell Dobbins was named to the Associated Press and Pennsylvania Football News Class AAA all-state first team after rushing for 1,343 yards and 16 touchdowns. Dobbins also had 15 receptions out of the backfield. Wil Moushey, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive end, was tabbed by Pennsylvania Football News to its honorable mention all-state team. Moushey, a member of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 North squad, accounted for 67 tackles and three sacks. Offensive lineman Keith Peifer (6-6, 265) led his team to the school's first-ever district title and an appearance in the PIAA Eastern final. The Great Danes picked up three players from Florida and two from New Jersey. Daniel Avery and Dwann Ivey, a defensive back and tailback from Miramar Everglades High, earned honorable mention All-Broward County recognition. Avery will also compete as a hurdler on UAlbany's track and field team. John Lullen (6-2, 185) provides the offense with another big target at wide receiver. He had 30 receptions and was the top scorer on his high school's basketball squad. Dan Di Lella, a two-time all-area quarterback who passed for 1,500-plus yards as a junior and senior, and linebacker Marc Wargo played on the scholastic level in the Garden State. Di Lella is the tallest signal-caller in the UAlbany football program's history at 6-foot-5 and 215 pounds. UAlbany signed five other players from the state of New York, including second-team all-area quarterback and Glens Falls High standout Denny Wilhelm, who threw for 1,259 yards and 14 touchdowns. Mike Tracy led East Meadow High to a Nassau County championship as a second-team All-Long Island quarterback. Jeff Benway, a starting quarterback who passed for six touchdowns and ran for three more at Queensbury High, will move to free safety at the collegiate level. Kyle O'Keefe (6-3, 280) and Chaz Mitchell (6-4, 235) bolster the UAlbany offensive line at the center/guard and tackle positions, respectively. Andy Sparano, the son of Dallas Cowboys' assistant head coach Tony Sparano, will play offensive guard for the Great Danes. He was named to the District 5-5A squad by the Dallas Morning News and Fort Worth Star-Telegram. His brother, Tony, is a sophomore defensive end on the UAlbany team. In addition, Mohamed Yansane, an honorable mention All-Montgomery County cornerback, had four interceptions as a high school senior. **************** 2007 University at Albany Football Commitments Name, Pos., Ht., Wt., Hometown (High School) Daniel Avery, CB, 5-9, 165, Cooper City, Fla. (Miramar Everglades) Jeff Benway, FS, 5-11, 175, Queensbury, N.Y. (Queensbury) Dan Di Lella, QB, 6-5, 215, Neshanic Station, N.J. (Somerville) Terrell Dobbins, TB, 5-10, 205, Bethlehem, Pa. (Bethlehem Catholic) Zach Gallo, DT, 6-0, 245, Sayville, N.Y. (Sayville) Kyle Hussey, DE, 6-3, 275, Albany, N.Y. (Guilderland) Dwann Ivey, TB, 5-9, 170, Miramar, Fla. (Miramar Everglades) John Lullen, WR, 6-2, 185, Wesley Chapel, Fla. (Tampa Gaither) Chaz Mitchell, OT, 6-4, 235, Rochester, N.Y. (East) Wil Moushey, DE, 6-4, 250, Glenshaw, Pa. (Shaler) Kyle O'Keefe, C/OG, 6-3, 280, Wappingers Falls, N.Y. (Roy C. Ketcham) Keith Peifer, C/OG, 6-6, 265, Lewisberry, Pa. (Red Land) Andy Sparano, OG, 6-0, 240, Colleyville, Texas (Grapevine) Mike Tracy, QB, 6-2, 190, East Meadow, N.Y. (East Meadow) Marc Wargo, ILB, 6-2, 210, Hightstown, N.J. (Hightstown) Luke Weaver, WR, 6-4, 185, Loudonville, N.Y. (Christian Brothers Academy) Denny Wilhelm, QB, 6-4, 205, Glens Falls, N.Y. (Glens Falls) Mohamed Yansane, CB, 5-10, 165, Potomac, Md. (Winston Churchill) |
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