UALBANY, HOLY CROSS SERIES
UAlbany owns a 1-0 lead in the all-time series with the Crusaders. With 44 seconds remaining in the 2014 season-opener (Aug. 30), Neil Morrison returned a 79-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and kicker Patrick Toole’s point-after gave the UAlbany football program a 14-13 victory over the visiting Holy Cross Crusaders. The win marked the first in the Greg Gattuso era, as well as the program’s first at Bob Ford Field.
SCOUTING HOLY CROSS
Holy Cross enters the weekend with a 1-2 overall record and 0-1 mark in the Patriot League, coming off a 31-14 loss against Colgate. In their first two games, respectively, the Crusaders topped Monmouth (27-19) and narrowly fell to CAA-foe Towson, 29-26. Junior quarterback Peter Pujals leads Holy Cross’ offense, completing 65-of-107 passes (.607) for three touchdowns and 636 yards. He’s also run for a team-high 120 yards and a touchdown, followed by sophomore running back Diquan Walker’s 117 rushing yards and four TDs. Wide receiver Brendan Flaherty leads the Patriot League with 26 receptions for 193 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, the Crusaders are led by sophomore Nick McBeath’s 28 tackles (19 solo).
A UALBANY WIN WOULD…
- Improve UAlbany’s record to 3-2 overall.
- Give UAlbany a 2-0 all-time record vs. Holy Cross.
- Give UAlbany a 1-2 road record this season.
- Improve UAlbany’s all-time varsity record to 267-177.
- Improve Coach Gattuso’s career record to 107-39.
- Improve Coach Gattuso’s record at UAlbany to 10-7.
A UALBANY LOSS WOULD…
- Make UAlbany’s record 2-3 overall.
- Give UAlbany a 1-1 all-time record vs. Holy Cross.
- Give UAlbany a 0-3 road record this season.
- Drop UAlbany’s all-time varsity record to 266-178.
- Drop Coach Gattuso’s career record to 106-40.
- Drop Coach Gattuso’s record at UAlbany to 9-8.
LAST TIME OUT
Trailing by a touchdown at halftime, UAlbany rallied for 10 unanswered points, holding the visiting Duquesne Dukes off the board in the second half to take a 17-14 victory at Bob Ford Field. Redshirt sophomore quarterback D.J. Crook totaled a career-best 261 passing yards and threw for two touchdowns, completing 19-of-32 attempts. With an array of options down field, freshman Zee Roberson recorded his first career touchdown reception and career-high eight catches and 71 yards. Redshirt sophomore Brad Harris followed with seven and a career-best 122 receiving yards, as well as a touchdown grab. Defensively, redshirt junior Rayshan Clark led the team with nine tackles, including seven solo and a pass breakup. Facing a number of injuries, UAlbany’s underclassmen stepped up, as freshmen Mason Gray accrued seven tackles (5 solo), redshirt freshman DaSharnte Thompson brought down six (2 solo), and classmate Julian Cox recorded five tackles with a sack for nine yards and a fumble recovery on special teams.
MARTIN NAMED CAA SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Redshirt junior punter Jon Martin was named the CAA Special Teams Player of the Week, announced Monday by the conference office. The accolade marks the first Player of the Week honor in Martin’s career and third CAA weekly award for the Great Danes this season.
NAME: Jon Martin
POSITION: P
CLASS: RJr.
HOMETOWN: Delmar, N.Y.
STATS VS. DUQUESNE
Punts Average: 43.8
Inside 20: 2
Long: 61
MARTIN NOTES: Averaged 43.8 yards on five punts as UAlbany held off Duquesne in a defensive struggle, 17-14 … Pinned a pair of kicks inside the Duquesne 20, including one that was downed on the three yard line … His performance included a 61-yard punt and another that traveled over 50 yards … One of his punts was fumbled on the catch -- the Great Danes recovered -- leading to UAlbany’s game-tying touchdown in the second half.
TURNOVERS GALORE
UAlbany ranks third in FCS for turnover margin (+9, 2.25/game). In back-to-back weeks, the Danes forced six turnovers, which both tie a single-game program record. At James Madison (9/19), UAlbany logged a program-record five interceptions and a fumble recovery. In the win over Rhode Island (9/12), the Great Danes recovered four fumbles and intercepted the ball twice. Prior to this season, the last time UAlbany forced the opposition to turn the ball over six times was against Towson on Sept. 1, 2001.
RED ZONE SUCCESS
Leading the CAA, the Great Danes are 10-for-11 in red zone chances, going 2-for-2 at Buffalo, 4-for-4 vs. Rhode Island, and 3-for-3 at JMU, and 1-for-2 vs. Duquesne. With a balanced ground and pass game, UAlbany has scored five rushing touchdowns and four passing touchdowns inside the red zone.
THIRD DOWN PRESSURE, NO PROBLEM
UAlbany ranks third in the CAA and is tied for 21st in the nation for third-down conversion percentage, converting 28-of-60 times (.467). The Danes converted 7-of-14 attempts at Buffalo, 10-of-15 vs. URI, and 4-of-14 at JMU, and 7-of-17 vs. Duquesne.
O-LINE PROTECTION
UAlbany is tied for first in the CAA for sacks against, allowing just five for a total loss of 27 yards in the first four weeks. UAlbany’s veteran offensive line is led by LT Kevin Malloy, LG Michael Senn, C Adam Wierbinski, RG Matt Campion, and RT Tim Wade.
UP NEXT
UAlbany returns to CAA play for the remainder of the season, hosting Maine for Homecoming on Oct. 10th. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.
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