Great Danes are Back in Action for Full Slate of Fall Sports

UAlbany running back Karl Mofor races through defenders on the football field
UAlbany running back Karl Mofor (Photo by Kathleen Helman for UAlbany Athletics)

ALBANY, N.Y.  (Aug. 12, 2021) After seeing their sports schedules upended in 2020, the Great Danes athletics teams are gearing up for a full slate of in-state rivalries, conference match-ups and tournaments as the fall athletics season gets under way.

Among the highlights, running back Karl Moforrecently named to the Walter Payton Award watch list and a preseason All-American  is leading the football team back onto the gridiron as the team hopes to rebound from an injury-shortened spring campaign. The season gets underway on the road against national power North Dakota State on Sept. 4, before the Great Danes return home to face Rhode Island on Sept. 11 for the "Hometown Heroes" game. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and the team will honor the men and women who serve our country, including Capital Region first responders and health care workers, by wearing their names on their helmets.

The following week, the team heads to central New York for its first-ever clash against Football Bowl Division power Syracuse on Saturday, Sept. 18. The game is set for a noon kick-off in the Carrier Dome. For those interested, you can ride out on the Alumni Association Fan Bus, which will depart the University at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $30 and include game admission, bus transportation and snacks. Sign up with the Alumni Association.

In addition to a full slate of fall sports clashes, UAlbany’s Athletics Department and SEFCU present Community Appreciation Night, a free evening of games and activities followed by a screening of the movie "Jumanji: The Next Level," under the lights at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium. Registration required for your free ticket.

Other schedules:

  • Cross-Country: Men and women start the year with the Siena Invitational on Sept. 11.
  • Field Hockey: The season starts with a home game on Alumni Turf against Colgate University on Friday, Aug. 27, at 1 p.m.
  • Men’s Soccer: The Great Danes begin their season on Thursday, Aug. 26, at Casey Stadium against Fairfield. The game kicks off at 7 p.m.
  • Women’s Soccer: The Great Danes start on the road at Syracuse on Aug. 19 before taking the field at Casey Stadium for their first home game on Sunday, Aug. 22, against Hofstra. Kick-off is at 2 p.m.
  • Women’s Volleyball: The team heads to Syracuse Aug. 27-28 for a series of matches against the UConn Huskies, SUNY rival Buffalo and the host Orange. The first home game is set for Friday, Sept. 3, when the Great Danes host St. John’s at SEFCU Arena. The match gets underway at 11 a.m.