Albany football comes to town in week 3 of the Syracuse football season. It’s the first these two teams face off on the gridiron. There isn’t much to go off of from last season for big purple. The FCS played a spring season in which Albany was forced to bow out just 4 games in. What you can tell from the Great Danes’ schedule alone is that they’ve got plenty of confidence in their ability to compete with teams they’ll be heavily favored to lose against. Most notably, North Dakota St, who they play week 1. Obviously, Syracuse is also a huge assignment for Albany. Though with a 7th-year coach in Greg Gattuso and the ability to beat the odds as they did in 2019, making the FCS playoffs after being picked to finish last, don’t count them out so easily.
Here are the Great Danes to keep an eye on come gameday:
Quarterback – Jeff Undercuffler #13:
Albany’s signal-caller is poised for a great season. After a sensational 2019, Undercuffler and the rest of the Great Danes didn’t get much of a chance to compete due to COVID during their spring season. Watch out for Undercuffler to impress, and build on his FCS-leading 41 TDs back in 2019.
Running Back – #21 Karl Mofor
Albany’s game really is not at all shabby. Mofor, like Undercuffler, was brilliant in the last full season offered to big purple. In 2019, the Maryland native rushed for upwards of 1,200 yards on top of 10 TDs. Safe to say, if Albany has issues this season it won’t be because of its offense. These guys know how to score and they can do it through the air or on the ground.
Linebacker – #44 Danny Damico
Manlius (!) native, Danny Damico is a problem. He’s the guy quarterbacks are looking for on every single play. He’s a great tackler and has a nose for the ball. Damico clocked in an astounding 109 total tackles in 2019 alongside 2 pass defenses, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. In the 2021 spring season, he also caught an interception. The linebacker is a force to be reckoned with, one that the Orange might have trouble with.
Game Facts:
Date: September 18th, 2021
Location: Carrier Dome, Syracuse NY
Where Can I Watch: ACCN
Syracuse fans shouldn’t worry too much about this one. Albany has a few talented players, but at the end of the day the Great Danes are the FCS team Syracuse scheduled to beef up its record.
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