Tuesday, September 2, 2008

UAlbany report card: Week 1 vs. UMass

I hope to get the chance after each college football game I cover this season, to provide an analysis of each part of the game for our local teams.

Because of the Labor Day holiday, I hoped to have it up this earlier, but overall UAlbany certainly played well and has to hold their heads up high after this first game of the season.

OFFENSE
Just looking at the numbers (Esposito, 172 passing, McCarty, 125 rushing) it looks pretty good. But there were some problems. One, two interceptions from Vinny, who I think looked pretty good - even after UAlbany got down and he had to try and bring the team back. I think the biggest thing the offense will look back on is when it was 1 & Goal at the one, just before halftime with UMass leading 14-9 and the Great Danes came away with nothing. That was probably the biggest blemish, especially since UMass came right out and scored on the second half's second play. 

Overall, against the No. 5 ranked team I think the offense played well. They will need to play just as well against Hofstra on Sept. 13 and probably even better against New Hampshire and Delaware. 

Overall Grade: B  

DEFENSE
The defense played great in the first quarter, shutting out UMass, but the second quarter is when All-American Liam Coen took over, leading two long drives to take the lead for good. 

Also, Tony Nelson consistently pounded the defense, rushing for a career-high 171 yards in total. 

The defense played well, but Nelson's long touchdown rush - a 64-yard score - early in the third quarter and the Minutemen's ability to convert when needed was the difference. 

Overall Grade: B-     

SPECIAL TEAMS
There were highlights - most notably the safety which was created by a good punt by Chris Lynch and good coverage and lowlights - the missed field goal by Herb Glass with UAlbany up 9-0 - for the first game I would say UAlbany's special teams were average, but good for the first game. 

The only thing that could have made it excellent was if the Great Danes had recovered that onsides kick after the cut the lead to 21-16 towards the end of the third quarter. 

Interesting call by coach Bob Ford, but if UAlbany recovers, they could steal the momentum and possibly stage a fourth-quarter comeback. 

Overall Grade: C+

There's room for growth and I think Ford's belief that a team grows the most between game one and two is a good one, especially with a week off before another tough road matchup with Hofstra. 

The main thing that stings is that there were several occasions where the Great Danes could have taken control/further taken control and in the end UMass' talent got the better of them.

Another interesting note....Appalachian State dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 after losing 41-13 to LSU, who was ranked No. 7 in the Bowl FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) poll. North Dakota State is now the No. 1 team in the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision) Coaches poll. 

UMass rose in the polls to No. 4.

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