2023 Albany Great Danes football team

Last updated

2023 Albany Great Danes football
UAlbany Great Danes wordmark.svg
CAA co-champion
Conference CAA Football Conference
Ranking
STATSNo. 5
FCS CoachesNo. 7
Record11–4 (7–1 CAA)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Jared Ambrose (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorBill Nesselt (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator Darrin Walls (1st season)
Home stadium Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium
Seasons
  2022
2024  
2023 Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
No. 5 Albany +^  7 1   11 4  
No. 6 Villanova +^  7 1   10 3  
No. 15 Richmond +^  7 1   9 4  
No. 10 Delaware ^  6 2   9 4  
Elon  6 2   6 5  
New Hampshire  4 4   6 5  
Rhode Island  4 4   6 5  
William & Mary  4 4   6 5  
Campbell  4 4   5 6  
Towson  4 4   5 6  
Hampton  3 5   5 6  
Monmouth  3 5   4 7  
Maine  1 7   2 9  
North Carolina A&T  0 8   1 10  
Stony Brook  0 8   0 10  
  • + Conference co-champions
  • ^ FCS playoff participant
Rankings from STATS Poll
The Great Danes beat Stony Brook, 38-20 Albany Great Danes at Stony Brook Seawolves football.jpg
The Great Danes beat Stony Brook, 38-20

The 2023 Albany Great Danes football team represented University at Albany, SUNY as a member of Coastal Athletic Association Football Conference (CAA), during the 2023 NCAA Division I FCS football season. Led by tenth-year head coach Greg Gattuso, the Great Danes played home games at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium in Albany, New York.

Contents

The CAA, formerly known as the Colonial Athletic Association from 2007 through 2022, changed its name in July 2023 to accommodate future membership expansion outside of states that were among the Thirteen Colonies.

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
August 267:00 p.m. Fordham * FloSports W 34–138,500
September 26:00 p.m.at Marshall * ESPN+ L 17–2125,101  
September 912:00 a.m.at Hawaii * SPEC PPV L 20–319,485
September 236:00 p.m.at Morgan State *ESPN+W 23–17 OT1,175
September 303:30 p.m.No. 16 Villanova
  • Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium
  • Albany, NY
FloSportsW 31–107,071
October 74:00 p.m.at Towson FloSportsW 24–174,789
October 141:00 p.m.at New Hampshire No. 24FloSportsL 31–388,346
October 213:30 p.m. Rhode Island Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium
  • Albany, NY
FloSportsW 35–105,196
October 281:00 p.m.at Maine FloSportsW 37–213,932
November 41:00 p.m.No. 24 William & Mary No. 23
  • Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium
  • Albany, NY
FloSportsW 24–83,518
November 111:00 p.m.at Stony Brook No. 18FloSportsW 38–205,671
November 181:00 p.m. Monmouth No. 12
  • Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium
  • Albany, NY
FloSportsW 41–03,505
December 212:00 p.m.No. 22 Richmond *No. 9
ESPN+W 41–132,652
December 910:00 p.m.at No. 4 Idaho *No. 9
ESPN+W 30–229,372
December 157:00 p.m.at No. 1 South Dakota State *No. 9 ESPN2 L 0–5912,265  
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from STATS Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Eastern time

[1] [2]

Game summaries

Fordham

Game One – Albany Great Danes (0–0) vs Fordham Rams (0–0)
Quarter1234Total
Fordham337013
Albany71431034

at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey StadiumAlbany, New York

  • Date: Saturday, August 26, 2023
  • Game time: 7:00 p.m. EDT
  • TV announcers (FloFootball): Michael Johnson, Jr.
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsFORALB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
FordhamPassing
Rushing
Receiving
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At Marshall

Game Two – Albany Great Danes (1–0) vs (FBS) Marshall Thundering Herd (0–0)
Quarter1234Total
Albany0314017
(FBS) Marshall0014721

at Joan C. Edwards StadiumHuntington, West Virginia

  • Date: Saturday, September 2, 2023
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C)
  • Game attendance: 25,101
  • Referee: Javarro Edwards
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Mark Martin (play-by-play), Carl Lee (analyst)
Game information
First quarter
  • No scoring plays
Second quarter
  • (0:06) ALB – John Opalko 46 yard field goal (Drive: 6 plays, 20 yards, 1:03; Albany 3–0)
Third quarter
  • (9:35) ALB – Jackson Parker 19 yard pass from Reese Poffenbarger (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:25; Albany 10–0)
  • (6:50) MRSH – Chuck Montgomery 19 yard pass from Cam Fancher (Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 2:38; Albany 10–7)
  • (3:31) ALB – Reese Poffenbarger 54 yard run (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:19; Albany 17–7)
  • (2:22) MRSH – Rasheen Ali 13 yard run (Drive: 3 plays, 65 yards, 1:09; Albany 17–14)
Fourth quarter
  • (12:53) MRSH – Rasheen Ali 30 yard run (Drive: 6 plays, 54 yards, 2:30; Marshall 21–17)
StatisticsALBMRSH
First downs1921
Plays–yards74–30061–413
Rushes–yards36–10626–145
Passing yards194268
Passing: compattint22–38–028–35–1
Time of possession35:0924:51
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlbanyPassing Reese Poffenbarger 22/38, 194 yards, 1 TD
RushingNate Larkins13 carries, 39 yards
ReceivingJackson Parker5 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD
MarshallPassing Cam Fancher 28/35, 268 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Rasheen Ali 18 carries, 137 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingChuck Montgomery6 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD

At Hawaii

Game Three – Albany Great Danes (1–1) vs (FBS) Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (0–2)
Quarter1234Total
Albany7103020
(FBS) Hawaii1077731

at Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics ComplexManoa, Hawaii

  • Date: Saturday, September 9, 2023
  • Game time: 12:00 a.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 9,485
  • TV announcers (SPEC PPV): Kanoa Leahey, Rich Miano
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsALBHAW
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
HawaiiPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At Morgan State

Game Four – Albany Great Danes (0–0) vs Morgan State Bears (0–0)
Quarter12Total
Albany0
Morgan State0

at Hughes StadiumBaltimore, Maryland

  • Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. EST
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Phil Schoener, Emory Hunt
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsALBMGST
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Morgan StatePassing
Rushing
Receiving

No. 16 Villanova

Game Five – Albany Great Danes (0–0) vs No. 16 Villanova Wildcats (0–0)
Quarter12Total
No. 16 Villanova0
Albany0

at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey StadiumAlbany, New York

  • Date: Saturday, September 30, 2023
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • TV announcers (FloFootball): Michael Johnson, Jr.
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsVILALB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VillanovaPassing
Rushing
Receiving
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At Towson

Game Six – Albany Great Danes (0–0) vs Towson Tigers (0–0)
Quarter12Total
Albany0
Towson0

at Johnny Unitas StadiumTowson, Maryland

  • Date: Saturday, October 7, 2023
  • Game time: 4:00 p.m. EST
  • TV announcers (FloFootball): Spiro Morekas, Gordy Combs
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsALBTOW
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
TowsonPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At New Hampshire

Game Seven – Albany Great Danes (0–0) vs New Hampshire Wildcats (0–0)
Quarter12Total
Albany0
New Hampshire0

at Wildcat StadiumDurham, New Hampshire

  • Date: Saturday, October 14, 2023
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • TV announcers (FloFootball): Justin McIsaac, Brian Espanet, Evan Gray
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsALBUNH
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
New HampshirePassing
Rushing
Receiving

Rhode Island

Game Eight – Albany Great Danes (0–0) vs Rhode Island Rams (0–0)
Quarter12Total
Rhode Island0
Albany0

at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey StadiumAlbany, New York

  • Date: Saturday, October 21, 2023
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 5,196
  • TV announcers (FloSports): Michael Johnson, Jr.
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsURIALB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Rhode IslandPassing
Rushing
Receiving
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At Maine

Game Nine – Albany Great Danes (5–3) vs Maine Black Bears (2–6)
Quarter1234Total
Albany101413037
Maine770721

at Alfond StadiumOrono, Maine

  • Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C) • Wind: NE 10mph
  • Game attendance: 3,932
  • Referee: Anthony Florio
  • TV announcers (FloFootball): Jim Churchill, Bryan Stackpole
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsALBME
First downs2121
Plays–yards62–47367–312
Rushes–yards32–14924–92
Passing yards324220
Passing: compattint18–30–029–43–2
Time of possession29:0730:53
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlbanyPassingReese Poffenbarger18/30, 324 yards, 2 TD
RushingFaysal Aden22 rushes, 142 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingMarQeese Dietz7 receptions, 150 yards
MainePassing Derek Robertson 29/43, 220 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
RushingBrian Santana-Fis3 rushes, 35 yards
ReceivingMichael Monios10 receptions, 96 yards, TD

No. 24 William & Mary

Game Ten – No. 23 Albany Great Danes (0–0) vs No. 24 William & Mary Tribe (0–0)
Quarter1234Total
No. 24 William & Mary00088
No. 23 Albany7100724

at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey StadiumAlbany, New York

  • Date: Saturday, November 4, 2023
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game attendance: 3,518
  • TV announcers (FloSports): Michael Johnson, Jr.
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsW&MALB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
William & MaryPassing
Rushing
Receiving
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

At Stony Brook

Game Eleven – Albany Great Danes (0–0) vs Stony Brook Seawolves (0–0)
Quarter12Total
Albany0
Stony Brook0

at Kenneth P. LaValle StadiumStony Brook, New York

  • Date: Saturday, November 11, 2023
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • TV announcers (FloFootball): Jonny Wincott, Sam Kornhauser, Matt Levine
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsALBSTBK
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Stony BrookPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Monmouth

Game Twelve – Albany Great Danes (0–0) vs Monmouth Hawks (0–0)
Quarter12Total
Monmouth0
Albany0

at Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey StadiumAlbany, New York

  • Date: Thursday, November 16, 2023
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • TV announcers (FloFootball): Michael Johnson, Jr.
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
StatisticsMONALB
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: compattint
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MonmouthPassing
Rushing
Receiving
AlbanyPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Personnel

Coaching staff

Coaching staff

NamePosition
Greg Gattuso Head coach
Jared Ambrose Associate head coach / offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach
Bill NesseltDefensive coordinator / linebackers coach
Joe Bernard Special teams coordinator / defensive line coach
Will FiacchiWide receivers coach / passing game coordinator / recruiting coordinator
Jordan OrlovskyRunning backs coach / chief of staff
Darrin Walls Co-defensive coordinator / cornerbacks coach
Jacob Alsadek Offensive line coach
Chris CalabreseOutside linebackers coach / defensive recruiting coordinator
Brendan SmithTight ends coach
Jon SimmonsDirector of football operations / video coordinator
Matt CampionCoaching assistant
Tim BradyCoaching assistant

Roster

2023 Albany Great Danes Football

Quarterbacks

  • 7 – Reese Poffenbargersophomore (6'0, 208)
  • 12 – Trey Lindsey – graduate student (6'0, 206)
  • 14 – Aedan McDermott – freshman (6'2, 211)
  • 17 – Jordan Rae – freshman (5'11, 204)
  • 18 – Joe Tortello – junior (5'9, 188)

Running backs

  • 0 – Faysal Aden – graduate student (5'7, 214)
  • 9 – Landon Alexander – freshman (6'0, 198)
  • 22 – Joey Koch – freshman (5'10, 198)
  • 23 – Nate Larkins – graduate student (6'0, 224)
  • 25 – Jose Lopez-Quinones – senior (5'9, 202)
  • 28 – Griffin Woodell – freshman (5'10, 194)
  • 32 – Kavon Chambers – sophomore (5'9, 207)
  • 34 – Conrad Perry – senior (5'9, 205)

Wide receivers

  • 1 – Julian Hicks – graduate student (6'2, 201)
  • 2 – Roy Alexander – junior (6'1, 201)
  • 4 – MarQeese Dietz – sophomore (5'10, 187)
  • 8 – Levi Wentz – sophomore (6'2, 205)
  • 10 – Jackson Parker – junior (6'1, 197)
  • 11 – Caden Burti – sophomore (5'11, 189)
  • 13 – Brevin Easton – senior (5'11, 197)
  • 35 – Alex Sapienza – junior (5'10, 198)
  • 80 – Brandon Frank – freshman (5'10, 178)
  • 81 – Kellen Taylor – freshman (6'2, 195)
  • 82 – Jake Lezzer – freshman (6'0, 197)
  • 83 – Dan Whaley – junior (6'3, 201)
 

Tight ends

  • 84 – Carter Moss – freshman (6'5, 233)
  • 85 – Haydon Broockmann – junior (6'2, 237)
  • 86 – Dylan Walker – sophomore (6'3, 249)
  • 87 – Ian Renninger – graduate student (6'5, 254)
  • 88 – Chad Parker – senior (6'3, 247)
  • 89 – Riley Engelhard – sophomore (6'4, 243)

Offensive linemen

  • 51 – Tyson Foster – junior (6'1, 295)
  • 53 – Joseph Black – freshman (6'0, 268)
  • 59 – Kenneth Santos – sophomore (6'3, 282)
  • 60 – Sean Dugery – freshman (6'1, 305)
  • 64 – Jackson Nixon – freshman (6'4, 246)
  • 65 – Ozzie Hutchinson – senior (6'4, 305)
  • 66 – Chris Alabanzas – junior (5'11, 339)
  • 67 – Emmit Harris – sophomore (6'4, 290)
  • 69 – Stephen Demeo – sophomore (6'0, 259)
  • 70 – Austin Mosier – junior (6'3, 302)
  • 71 – Josh Gaffney – junior (6'3, 309)
  • 72 – Will Marotta – senior (6'5, 325)
  • 73 – Scott Houseman – graduate student (6'3, 321)
  • 74 – Matt Aulicino – freshman (6'5, 244)
  • 75 – Kevin Singer – graduate student (6'4, 290)
  • 76 – Joe McMahon – freshman (6'6, 275)
  • 77 – Nolan Latulippe – freshman (6'7, 281)
  • 78 – Mike Gecik – junior (6'3, 290)
  • 79 – Ondre Toland – junior (6'1, 319)
 

Defensive linemen

  • 4 – Anton Juncaj – senior (6'3, 273)
  • 8 – AJ Simonsenior (6'1, 267)
  • 54 – Brock Boyer – freshman (6'0, 240)
  • 55 – Jayden Holmes-Cotter – freshman (6'3, 225)
  • 56 – Neco Eberhardt – freshman (6'0, 296)
  • 58 – Joseph Greaney – graduate student (6'3, 280)
  • 90 – King Tshiama – freshman (6'2, 222)
  • 91 – Ronnell McCorn – junior (6'0, 230)
  • 92 – William Martin III – graduate student (5'11, 278)
  • 93 – Elijah Hills – junior (6'2, 281)
  • 94 – Ghassan Chehade – sophomore (6'5, 266)
  • 95 – Tiny Boadu – freshman (6'0, 261)
  • 96 – Cedric Carter – senior (6'2, 250)
  • 97 – Matthew Obiagu – sophomore (6'5, 241)
  • 98 – Jack Mottola – junior (6'1, 231)
  • 99 – Anthony DiMeglio – junior (6'3, 242)

Linebackers

  • 9 – Michael Lucien – junior (5'11, 234)
  • 15 – Ori Jean-Charles – graduate student (6'3, 235)
  • 16 – Ben Howe-Jones – junior (6'1, 204)
  • 21 – Brian Abraham – graduate student (6'5, 221)
  • 31 – Jahlil Johnson – sophomore (6'2, 209)
  • 41 – Dillon Dunathan – freshman (6'1, 229)
  • 42 – Dylan Kelly – senior (6'2, 224)
  • 44 – Sammy Knipe – sophomore (6'1, 233)
  • 45 – Cole Esposito – senior (5'11, 222)
  • 46 – Matthew Rappa – freshman (6'0, 213)
  • 50 – John Dodaro – freshman (6'1, 222)
  • 57 – Troy Berschwinger – freshman (6'1, 226)
 

Defensive backs

  • 0 – DaeSean Winston – graduate student (6'0, 206)
  • 1 – Aamir Halljunior (6'1, 201)
  • 3 – Brad Igweike – junior (5'8, 177)
  • 5 – Bill Hackett – senior (5'7, 180)
  • 7 – Larry Walker Jr. – senior (5'11, 197)
  • 13 – Mike Coleman – graduate student (5'10, 160)
  • 14 – Kevon Angry – senior (5'9, 178)
  • 19 – Isaac Duffy – graduate student (5'8, 184)
  • 20 – Denzel Patrick – junior (5'11, 200)
  • 24 – Cam Stodghill – freshman (6'2, 190)
  • 27 – Tyler Merwarth – sophomore (5'11, 199)
  • 29 – Parris Smiley – sophomore (5'11, 197)
  • 30 – Nick Totten – sophomore (5'11, 193)
  • 33 – Rykim Lemon – graduate student
  • 36 – Babajide Akinola – junior (5'8, 165)

Placekickers

  • 37 – John Opalko – junior (5'11, 180)
  • 38 – Sam Hogan – graduate student (6'0, 182)
  • 39 – Steven Sadek – freshman (5'11, 156)
  • 49 – Tyler Pucci – freshman (6'2, 173)

Punters

  • 6 – Tyler Pastula – senior (6'3, 217)'
  • 48 – Michael Sbuttoni – freshman (5'9, 181)

Long snapper

  • 47 – Russell Dietz – junior (5'10, 231)
  • 52 – Stephen Sokach-Minnick – senior (6'0, 233)

Source and player details, 2023 Albany Great Danes (1/22/2025): [3]

Statistics

Team

AlbanyOpp
Scoring
  Points per Game
  Points per Turnovers
First Downs
  Rushing
  Passing
  Penalty
Rushing yards
  Avg per play
  Avg per game
  Rushing touchdowns
Passing yards
  Att-Comp-Int
  Avg per pass
  Avg per catch
  Avg per game
  Passing touchdowns
Total Offense
  Plays
  Avg per play
  Avg per game
Fumbles-Lost
Penalties-Yards
  Avg per game
AlbanyOpp
  Punt-Yards
   Avg per play
   Avg per punt net
  Punt Return-Yards
   Avg per punt return
  Kickoffs-Yards
   Avg per play
   Avg per kick net
  Kickoff Return-Yards
   Avg per kickoff return
  Interceptions-Yards
   Avg per play
Time of possession / game
3rd Down Conversions (Pct%)(0%)(0%)
4th Down Conversions (Pct%)(0%)(0%)
Touchdowns Scored
Field Goals-Attempts
  PAT-Attempts
   2 point conversion-attempts
Sack by Yards
Misc Yards
Safeties
Onside kicks
Red zone scores(0%)(0%)
  Red zone touchdowns(0%)(0%)
Attendance
  Date/Avg per date
  Neutral Site

Individual leaders

Passing statistics
#NAMEPOSRATCMP-ATT-INTYDSAVG/GCMP%TDLONG
QB0.00-0-00 yrds0.0%0 TDs0
TOTALS0.00-0-00 yrds0.00.0%0 TDs0

Defense

Key: POS: Position, SOLO: Solo Tackles, AST: Assisted Tackles, TOT: Total Tackles, TFL: Tackles-for-loss, SACK: Quarterback Sacks, INT: Interceptions, BU: Passes Broken Up, PD: Passes Defended, QBH: Quarterback Hits, FR: Fumbles Recovered, FF: Forced Fumbles, BLK: Kicks or Punts Blocked, SAF: Safeties, TD : Touchdown

Special teams

References

  1. "UAlbany Great Danes Schedule 2023". ESPN . Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  2. "2023 Football Schedule". University at Albany . Retrieved September 21, 2023.
  3. "2023 Football Roster". ualbanysports.com. Retrieved January 22, 2025.