Gridiron Classic Pregame Stories

[danefan]

Times Union:

 

[____________________________________]

 

Dayton papers:

 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/o...112907udfb.html

[haggyland]

So, you're telling me that if I move to Dayton there will be better UA coverage than in Albany?

Bless the T-U.

[UAalum72]

The Troy Record has a story Making his mark: CCHS grad Sheehan

[danefan]

So, you're telling me that if I move to Dayton there will be better UA coverage than in Albany?

Bless the T-U.

 

 

The funny thing is I have been looking around at old pre-game articles from past games (this year and prior years) and there are quite a few with comments that reference the lack of TU coverage like this one from Montana pre-game:

 

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2007/09...ts/sports03.txt

The Times-Union paper in Albany hasn't had much copy on the Great Danes, other than coverage of their 28-13 home loss to No. 15 Hofstra Saturday.

[danefan]

Dayton Game Notes:

 

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/dayt/s...nyGameNotes.pdf

[danefan]

Sportsnetwork write up.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/default.asp?c.../AGN4115061.htm

 

GRIDIRON CLASSIC

 

No. 3 Albany (8-3) at No. 1 Dayton (10-1), 1 p.m. ET

 

The Sports Network Cup will be riding on this game between the champions of the Northeast Conference and the Pioneer Football League. This is the second year of the Gridiron Classic.

 

Offense

 

Albany has built its attack around the running of sophomore David McCarty (1,369 yards rushing, 6.7 average, 11 TDs), who is 12th with 124.5 yards per game. The Great Danes rank 16th nationally in rushing (216 yards), but have struggled with their passing (156 yards, ranked 92nd). Quarterback Vinny Esposito has thrown for just 1,678 yards, but has 11 TDs and only six interceptions. Albany is 57th in total offense (372 yards) and 36th in scoring (29.1).

 

Dayton has relied heavily on multi-talented quarterback Kevin Hoyng to lead an attack that is ranked 10th nationally in total offense (451 yards), is tied for sixth in passing (297 yards) and eighth in scoring (38.6 points). Hoyng has passed for 3,001 yards and 28 touchdowns with just eight interceptions. He has also rushed for 625 yards and nine TDs. Hoyng ranks fourth in total offense (330 yards per game) and has 9,197 yards for his career. He is seventh in passing efficiency. J. Michael Jonard is Hoyng's favorite receiver with 55 catches and six TDs. Nick Ruhe has added 53 catches and four TDs as a possession-type receiver. Ben Shapple is the next best running threat with 467 yards. Justin Watkins only has 20 catches, but six have gone for touchdowns.

 

Defense

 

Albany is third in sacks, with Mark Sheehan (12th nationally) leading the defensive line. The Great Danes are sixth in turnover margin, 11th in tackles for loss, 12th in scoring defense (17.4), 14th in rushing defense (116 yards) and 23rd in total defense (321 yards). Linebacker Colin Disch was on the Buchanan Award watch list earlier in the season before injuries slowed him down. Other players to watch include Michael Dungey and Jon Volpe on the line, linebacker Dave Nicomini and defensive back L.B. McCloskey (three interceptions).

 

Dayton ranks first nationally in sacks, averaging over four per game. Scott Vossler, Bobby Burger and Sean Heenan are all ranked in the top 20 in sacks individually. Kalen Hemmelgarn is 27th. The Flyers are second in rushing defense (71 yards), fourth in total defense (273 yards) and scoring defense (15.1), fifth in tackles for loss (8.5 per game), sixth in turnover margin and 17th in passing efficiency defense. If the Flyers have a weakness on defense, it is in pass defense, where they are allowing 202 yards per game. Brian Kelly, Steve McDonald, Corey Vossler and Scott Vossler are all averaging six or more tackles per game.

 

Special Teams

 

Albany is 11th in kickoff returns (23.6) with Mike Wall leading the way. Daniel Bocanegra is a solid punt returner. Jason Fralicker is 13th in field goals (1.4 per game), while Chris Lynch averages 40.2 yards per punt.

 

Dayton has received solid play from Ruhe, who is averaging 102 all-purpose yards per game and is a threat as a punt returner. Joe Casteneda is averaging 24.4 yards per kickoff return. The Flyers are not in the national rankings in kicking or punting.

 

Summary

 

Albany has prepared for this game with a challenging schedule that included a win over Fordham and tough losses to Montana, Hofstra and Colgate. A 49-14 victory over Central Connecticut State clinched the NEC title for the Great Danes, who closed the season with seven consecutive wins. Dayton shocked the Mid-Major world with its 35-16 victory over San Diego. The Flyers lost 42-35 early in PFL play to Morehead State, but came back to win six straight games. With two defenses that are difficult to run on and like to rush quarterbacks, offensive line play could prove to be the difference. Dayton hasn't played as tough a schedule as Albany, but it has answered its challenges down the stretch in a competitive PFL, beating the likes of Drake. The two teams have two common opponents. Albany beat Robert Morris 45-17 and Fordham 23-20, while Dayton stopped Robert Morris 23-12 and Fordham 31-24. This one should be decided late and Dayton's home advantage could prove to be the difference. Dayton is 6-0 at home, while Albany is 5-2 on the road, including that trip to Montana.

 

Dayton 27, Albany 23

 

boo!

[danefan]

Times Useless gameday story:

 

[__________________________]

[GreatDanes06]

Dayton Daily News Gameday Story

 

figures with the TU

[UAalum72]

TU hard copy has a page-5 gameday box and "At 70, Ford still driven" - again, a story that could have been printed any day of the week almost any time during the season.

[scrabbleship]

TU hard copy has a page-5 gameday box and "At 70, Ford still driven" - again, a story that could have been printed any day of the week almost any time during the season.

 

I wonder what the TU would have done if $iena kept football and was in a position like this.

 

Does anyone know of any other team that gets a raw of a deal from its hometown newspaper as we have? Anywhere? I'd love to see how the TU reacts if we win and end up with long-term success in all sports, they can't keep up their anti-UA bias forever...or can they?

[GDBD]

So many people have no grasp that this game is for the # 1 national ranking.

By the way, The Campus Center is attempting to show the streaming video in on the big screen - outside Wendy's.

Wouldn't a 4 & 0 day be amazing?????????

[UAalum72]

TU hard copy has a page-5 gameday box and "At 70, Ford still driven" - again, a story that could have been printed any day of the week almost any time during the season.

 

I wonder what the TU would have done if $iena kept football and was in a position like this.

 

Does anyone know of any other team that gets a raw of a deal from its hometown newspaper as we have? Anywhere? I'd love to see how the TU reacts if we win and end up with long-term success in all sports, they can't keep up their anti-UA bias forever...or can they?

A lot of FCS fans complain about coverage, but most of them have a FBS university or a pro team nearby.