Eli

Have to admit, many brain farts out on that field on Saturday. That punt fumble was a doozy

 

I'm sure some of it was nerves...pressure from a historic crowd. Our present talent level doesn't give us much leeway...pile on the expectations and pressure and well...that's how it goes. We could have lost by 50 and I would still have been in complete awe...still can't believe that's our stadium. Like, no one is going to wheel it away or take it away...lol

Hopefully no one pulls a Despicable Me and steals it like they stole the moon.

Made it to the game - first time i've had a chance to walk around the campus in many years.

 

1. I think #1 was the best player on the field (think he is a safety). He flew to the ball and made plays. He had a personal foul called on him in overtime but I think it was a clean hit.

2. On the first field goal attempt, our kicker just wasn't prepared. He was just standing on the sideline when the team was lining up for the field goal - it wasn't like anyone had to tell him anything - he appeared to just realize what was happening and ran out there at the last second...

3. There were several times in the first half where Fiacchi just refused to run the ball. He had a lot of space and just wouldn't run. He did run a few times in the second half but he needs to run for the first down when he has space.

4. When the Rhode Island kicker hit the scoreboard and I saw the ball bounce off, my first thought was that the net needs to be up permanently. You can't risk something that expensive - too easy to forget to raise the net. (I didn't notice any kicks hitting it at halftime, just once during the game).

5. The fumbled punt was bad (I think it was #86). Gave Rhode Island good field position and they scored a TD.

6. Tried to buy a sweatshirt before the game - stood on line for a long time and when i got to the counter, they spent 10 minutes sorting through boxes trying to find the right size (large), but couldn't find it in the style that I wanted. Also, tried to get a drink at halftime but the lines were too long. They will improve those things.

7.There is a concession stand on the berm but they only sold a combo for $8. Couldn't just buy a drink.

8. Missed the marching band. I was in the concession line and saw them walking onto the field. I looked back less than 10 minutes later and they were gone. They couldn't have played more than one or two songs.

9. Good tribute to Coach Ford on the video board before the game.

 

Anyway, it was a good weekend in Albany. Let's hope the team continues to improve and the stadium stays filled.

That hit was definitely a foul. I thought the same as you watching the actual play and the first review angle (from the vantage point of the home stands). But when they showed the end zone angle, it was absolutely without a doubt helmet to helmet. Hit him right in the ear hole (lol).

The fumbled punt was the biggest mistake of all as that is the ONLY mistake that DIRECTLY result in RI points. Without that, we would have won the game in regulation, 13-6.

Band only played one song...if you want to call it a song. It was very quiet and was a HORRIBLE choice for a song (Skyfall by Adele - the James Bond theme).

And I agree on the tribute...I don't know if I'll get laughed at for this...but I actually got a little moist around the eyes watching that. That man put his heart and soul into this university and it's football program. I was very proud to be a UAlbany student and future Alum on saturday.

I'd love a legit Nike jersey of the better players and not a generic number which might not even be a number of the kid on the field (thanks for the Fordie thing, I didn't realize that lol). There is definitely options and they could make a decent amount of money selling actual team gear instead of some knock off looking cheap shirts and such. It would be another nice revenue stream.

Personally, I'd like to find a Drew Smith #10 jersey or a #23 Osbourne jersey.

I also wouldn't mind finding a UAlbany Mini-Helmet, putting it in a case, and keeping it at the office. Or another one for the house.

EDIT: Just found these mini-helmets. Limited quantity.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=400263623593

As for the game, I can't stand the read option/shotgun/wildcat/spread offense. I think I've made that pretty clear on this site so I won't go too much into it. I just can't stand it. I can't stand the setup and fake the snap and everyone stand up and look to the sideline for the play. IT'S HORRIBLE!

As it was explained to me during the game (this was my first live football game ever although I've been following the NFL and some college since the late 90's - so I don't know/notice some things on TV)...the reason why they stand up (always around the 15 second mark of the play clock) to look for a new call is because the OC is changing the play on the defense. He wants to see what defense is on the field before he makes the actual play call. The one they start with out of the huddle isn't always the right one I guess.

Doesn't have to do with the wildcat as they did it on normal formations too. It makes sense, wait the clock down and then audible causing the defense (hopefully) to get confused and let up a big play. They did do it quite a bit though which got a little annoying, I'll give you that.

Forgot one thing. Was President Jones a little tipsy? He sounded like he was especially when he said "Welcome to Bob Field!"

Yeah, he didn't sound eloquent to me lol.

We need to email someone and tell them to update their catalog.

No offense, but I have no idea who number 40 is?

Thanks!

Hmm...that looks like it's as the stadium? Maybe I'll go a little earlier next weekend and see if I can't scoop something up.

I was really trying to find one of those 'create your own' jersey places and put number 10 on it with Smith on the back (Drew Smith since he's the greatest Dane we've had too date).

How did the kicker not realize what he was doing? Have some respect! lol

I'm re-watching the game on SNY...our stadium looks gorgeous on TV.

I saw a lot of people wearing jersey's at the game. I'm guessing some of them were family of the players, but is there a place to get a replica (or even authentic) UAlbany jersey?

Also, someone linked a store a few months ago that had seat cushions with back support...any one know where I can pick that up?

Thanks!

 

Also, I don't know what the lower deck is like but the upper deck is awesome for stomping and chanting defense. I had no idea how much noise we were making until I read this morning that people on the field had trouble communicating.

 

Really? I knew we were making a bit of noise but didn't realize it carried that much... Nice...

Bringin a little SEFCU to the field . We were definitely makin some noise last night.

Gonna have to invest in a poncho lol.

I'm also saying around 6000. That was my guess for the opener, which got DESTROYED. If we won, I would have said 9000, but since we lost, fair weather fans won't show up.

Probably 30 kids? Pretty small. That's why it was so quiet, not to mention the song just wasn't conducive to a football event. I heard them playing as they were walking from the campus center to the stadium and they sounded MUCH better playing the songs we usually here at basketball games.

I think for future games, they need to figure out a way to microphone the band.

They didn't mess anything up as far as I could tell (musically - I played in band for 8 years), so that was a plus.

Great venue, hard to believe it's ours. Loved the scoreboard, but go figured it didn't even last one game without the net holder not knowing how to pull a net up and a ball hitting it with now a pixel out. You saw the guy with the walk-talkie come out and yell at the kid, saw his arms flailing.

Really? I didn't know that happened! That's hilarious and sad the same time!

Anyone have thoughts on the food? I hadn't gone down to see how it was.

I had a hot dog and a pretzel. Each were $4. Dasani water was like $3. That's probably the upper level of what I'd pay but they were good. Service was pretty quick, at least before the game started. I don't know how crazy it got after the stadium was standing room only.

UAalum72 beat me to it.

 

Here are some pictures from the still cam as well as my seats (section 204):

 

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You were in Section 205. I was in front of you a couple of rows down.

 

Yeah, we were in 205...not 204...

Yeah you guys are right. I had to get 'let in' yesterday because I forgot my ticket at home, and the sections (other than the signs on the course) aren't labeled otherwise. Thought I was in 204, then moved to 205 after I saw my group lol.

How was the marching band?

EXTREMELY underwhelming. I'm sure part of it was nerves, etc. as it was their first time ever. The song picked was horrible, IMO. Who plays Adele's James Bond theme at a game? You need something LOUD, FAST, and UP TEMPO.

They'll get better.

Friend of mine that I went to UAlbany with took these. Shows the main stands a bit better.

UAalum72 beat me to it.

Here are some pictures from the still cam as well as my seats (section 204):

How the game ball was delivered. Yep, sky diver:

View of the bench:

Beginning of the game:

The Berm during the game:

Mid Game - right after half-time:

End of the game:

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As for my thoughts...

Well, the stadium is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. Everyone has a good view and it was PACKED. I heard rumors that it may have been around 10,000 people. However, a LOT of the berm and opposing side of the field left shortly after half-time which was disappointing.

The team...well...our D game to play today. Our offense was ATROCIOUS for most of the game. BUT, even with that being said, special teams is what lost the game for us. That fumble deep in our own territory was the MAIN reason why we lost (since it directly resulted in RI points as opposed to just missed opportunities for us to score). The 3 mistakes our kicker made (2 FG's blocked and 1 missed XP) sealed the deal on the loss.

Disappointing, however, we are pretty young and will learn from this. Hopefully.

The OC needs to expand his game plan and be creative. He was for a stretch in the 3rd and 4th quarter, but for much of the game he was WAY too predictable.

The stadium is impressive, and although it was a bad loss, I am still grinning ear to ear.

This. Had a great time.

Perhaps the panoramic view I took, if I edit it some more, can be our new webpage banner?

My thoughts:

The concourse is DEFINITELY not water tight. The seats (one row) that are right against the concourse railing are going to suck in the rain. Bring a bubble. Sight lines are amazing from EVERYWHERE IMO. Literally not a bad seat in the house. I'm impressed and can't wait to get loud tomorrow night.

Here are some images from my time there:

The control room. Some serious hardware in there:

Taken from row D at the 50 yard line:

Taken from the top row at the 50 yard line:

How does one sell a berm 'seat'? Do they draw lines on the grass? lol

Homecoming will sell out. This week will nearly sell out the seats but, with Yom Kippur (and the berm's capacity probably overstated), won't hit 8,500 but still will set an attendance record (6,852 last year vs. St. Francis on homecoming).

 

I think we might report a sell out this weekend regardless. Creative ticket counting like everyone else does.

 

 

+1. It's never been used before so who knows when it's sold out, right? What I'm hoping is that UA football has the highest attendance of any college athletic event in the Capital District.

Isn't that pretty much guaranteed?

What other sports programs, other than perhaps Siena Mens BB can compete with the athletic events we put on? Maybe RPI hockey? Union FB? Doubt it.

I said >6,000 and 3.

What he supposed to be Smith's replacement?

Not sure if you're a phone or not (auto correct) but his name is Fiacchi, not Farchi