On Thursday, I had a chance to talk with senior safety Dave Casale. Casale, a captain, is a graduate of Troy High and had seven interceptions last year.

Casale is one of the anchors of the defensive unit for the Great Danes (0-2), who take on Maine at 4 p.m. on Saturday in a game that can be seen on Time Warner channel 3.

What was the team's mood after the UMass game?

DC: We realized that we have to turn the season around and we have to do it quickly. We have to start taking care of the little things and really getting on everyone in order to turn the season around.

Did you almost wish you could press the reset button after the bad start against UMass?

DC: It seemed that way, but then again with four minutes left in the third quarter, the score was only 20-7. We had opportunities to get back in the game, deep in the third quarter and we just didn't take advantage of them. Our turnover ratio was just completely unacceptable. It's not possible for us to win a game with the amount of turnovers we had and lack of turnovers the defense got.

What's the biggest thing you guys have to correct?

DC: We just have to get rolling. Defensively, we have to start swarming to the ball and not letting their offense get any momentum, especially in the beginning of the game. Offensively, they've been harping on keeping control of the ball.

How tough has it been walking around campus, going to class and knowing that you're 0-2 and that's not where you want to be?

DC: It's tough, but we can't dwell on this loss. I think we thought about the Georgia Southern loss a little too long and we realized after film on Sunday that the past is past and we have to look forward and work on improving the future.

You've played these tough teams early in the year and the record hasn't been that great, but this isn't time to panic is it?

DC: We're definitely far from panicking. You have to take it one game at a time and come Saturday, our goal is to go out and get a win and hopefully that win will spark more to come.

Are you extra excited for the home opener?

DC: We're really excited. Everyone has a ton of people coming to the game. It's exciting to play in front of people you know and people that support you.

You're a little banged up, any chance you won't be out there on Saturday?

DC: No. I'll be out there. I'm not going to let my hamstring hold me back.

(UAlbany Athletics)