UA, Ford to bounce back against Maine

[DANEDoggyStyle]

Hey UA Fans! Do you think the Great Danes bounce back after the horrible shalacking by UMass to beat Maine who is ranked in the top 25 of the FCS poll?

[danefan]

god I hope so. I can't take another loss like last week.

 

FYI - they are doing a ceremony at halftime to celebrate 10 years of Division I football. So don't run out of the "stadium" at halftime.

[DANEDoggyStyle]

Is there normally a decent crowd tailgating in the RACC parking lot?

[Clickclack]

Anyone have any clue how big of a crowd we can expect for this one? Should be decent weather.

[danefan]

Anyone have any clue how big of a crowd we can expect for this one? Should be decent weather.

 

 

I would hope over 4,000. But the loss last week may hurt attendance. At least we don't have to compete with RPI's new stadium - they have a game at 1pm.

[GreatDanes06]

you have to also remember...this weekend is the Jewish New Year. Some students maybe home for the weekend.

[UAalum72]

Is there normally a decent crowd tailgating in the RACC parking lot?

Decent by whose standard? It's been getting better the last few years. BPF on the grass on the west side of the RACC lot.

[danefan]

About 20 or so football alumni will be tailgating at around 1pm in the RACC parking lot as well. Its been getting much better lately.

 

We (football alumns) have a big tailgate planned for homecoming so I think that will be much bigger than usual, with the infliux of 100+ football alumni and families.

 

This weekend should be decent though. Hopefully.

[DANEDoggyStyle]

The Great Danes should be able to dominate up front with their big line and get the run game going that was ineffective last week. McCarty should have a huge game, it would be a good upset for the Danes this weekend. They really need a W to get back on track.

[alum73]

We'll see what Coach Ford says today at the Coach's luncheon.

[danefan]

Fordie on Wyland now (missed the beginning but here's what I got):

 

McCarty's health is up in the air - hammy is good, hip pointer is the problem.

 

Smith will get more carries at RB if McCarty can't go.

 

Casselle has a tweaked hamstring - should be fine.

 

Keys of the game against Maine (which isn't as good as UMass, but is slightly better than GSU):

1. Cannot turn the ball over

2. stop the run

3. establish the run

4. make progress in the kicking game (need a breakout Special Teams play this week)

 

How important is this game? - VERY IMPORTANT - we need to continue narrowing the gap with the full-scholarship FCS conferences. Every year we've done it and we need to do it this year as well.

 

Ford expects a big crowd and so does Rodger.

[Patch]

danefan - Thanks for the update.

 

Hopefully we get a crowd of over 4,000 and a W

[danefan]

TSN Preview

 

 

No. 20 Maine (2-0) at Albany (0-2), 4 p.m.

 

Although Maine remains ranked in the top-25, the Black Bears have struggled against two teams (St. Cloud State and Northeastern) most thought they would handle easily. Now, Maine faces an Albany squad that desperately craves its first win of the season.

 

Sophomore running back Derek Session (238 yards rushing, 5.7 average, two TDs) has boosted a Maine run game, still missing All-American Jared Turcotte due to a groin injury.

 

Quarterbacks Mike Brusko (215 yards of total offense, two TDs) and Warren Smith (145 yards passing, one TD) have split time for Maine, with Brusko used more to run and Smith to pass.

 

Senior linebacker Mike McLaughlin (19 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss) continues to pace the Maine defense. Linebacker Donte Dennis (18 tackles, two tackles for loss), defensive tackle Kris Enslen (15 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks) and secondary mainstay Trevor Coston (10 tackles, two interceptions) all roam a solid unit.

 

Albany had hoped that a pair of wins to start the season against Georgia Southern, UMass, or Maine would help vault the NEC favorites into the playoffs at the end of the year. But instead, the Great Danes are trying to salvage one of the three games.

 

Quarterback Vinny Esposito (234 yards passing, four interceptions) has been anything but consistent. Standout wide receiver Tim Bush (11 catches, 9.6 average) should motivate Esposito's play.

 

Buchanan Award nominated David McCarty (105 yards rushing, two TDs) and Justin Gannon (103 yards rushing, 4.0 average) lead the running Great Danes' running game.

 

Albany's defense, usually a team strength, has been inconsistent thus far. Linebackers Justin Brancaccio (20 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss), Emerson Kinsey (11 tackles, one blocked kick) and Rich Duff (11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss) give Albany one of the better groups in FCS.

 

All-NEC free safety David Casale (16 tackles, one interception) is the Great Danes' best pass defender.

 

Maine is typically a slow-starting squad and will have its hands full with Albany, but the Black Bears should find enough offense to win this one. MAINE 28, ALBANY 17

 

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfoot2/news/news.aspx?id=4254587

[DANEDoggyStyle]

Fordie on Wyland now (missed the beginning but here's what I got):

 

McCarty's health is up in the air - hammy is good, hip pointer is the problem.

 

Smith will get more carries at RB if McCarty can't go.

 

Casselle has a tweaked hamstring - should be fine.

 

Keys of the game against Maine (which isn't as good as UMass, but is slightly better than GSU):

1. Cannot turn the ball over

2. stop the run

3. establish the run

4. make progress in the kicking game (need a breakout Special Teams play this week)

 

How important is this game? - VERY IMPORTANT - we need to continue narrowing the gap with the full-scholarship FCS conferences. Every year we've done it and we need to do it this year as well.

 

Ford expects a big crowd and so does Rodger.

 

4. It was bad news hearing that tremendous freshman kicker Paul Layton has gone down with an injury and had to red shirt. Next season the kicking game is going to be top notch in the nation.

 

I'm also hoping there is a big turn out for this game, I didn't get to a game last year but I'm looking forward to tailgating in the RACC parking lot with the grill and a cooler full of cold ones. GO DANES!

[Patch]

4. It was bad news hearing that tremendous freshman kicker Paul Layton has gone down with an injury and had to red shirt. Next season the kicking game is going to be top notch in the nation. - DDS

 

How do you know this have you ever seen him in a DI game?

 

4. make progress in the kicking game (need a breakout Special Teams play this week)

 

DDS there is more to the kicking game then just punting the ball.