Football Celebrates First CAA Title, Prepares for FCS Playoffs
ALBANY, N.Y. (Nov. 21, 2023) — The UAlbany football team is headed to the FCS Playoffs.
On Saturday, the Great Danes walloped Monmouth, 41-0, earning a share of their first Coastal Athletic Association title. On Sunday, the team found out it earned one of the top eight seeds, and with it the right to host a home game on Dec. 2 at noon.
The fifth-seeded Great Danes will host the winner of North Carolina Central of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and CAA rival Richmond at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium, with a trip to the FCS quarterfinals on the line.
"Great victory. I'm really proud of the coaches and the kids. I think they have really bought in," said Coach Greg Gattuso following Saturday's win. "This team has been fantastic. It was a great win for our players, our team, our fans. Can't put it into word right now how good it feels."
Among the highlights, senior linebacker Dylan Kelly shattered the UAlbany single-season tackles record, surpassing Ken Schoen's record of 143 set in 1974. He ended the regular season with a total of 146 tackles – the second most in the nation.
Officially CAA Co-Champions, UAlbany shares the regular season crown with Villanova and Richmond. The league's automatic bid went to Villanova, which won a the three-way tiebreaker due to point differential.
The Great Danes beat Villanova, 31-10 earlier in the season. The Wildcats ended up with the No. 8 seed in the FCS Playoffs.
Tickets for the Dec. 2 playoff game are available through UAlbany Athletics.