ALBANY - Occasionally, quarterback Buddy Leathley will turn a handoff into a scramble.

It's something that running back Drew Smith can appreciate.

See, Smith used to be a mobile quarterback, while playing at Guilderland High School.

Now, he's the tailback and Leathley, who took over the starting job from Dan Di Lella, is the mobile quarterback.

“We joke about it sometimes,” said Smith, who would still prefer to get the ball.

Leathley's legs may be one of his most dangerous weapons, but they are also something he needs to learn how to keep under control.

“He’s got to do a better job of holding onto the ball,” said UAlbany coach Bob Ford after Wednesday's spring practice on University Field.

Leathley (who is seen in the above picture, throwing a touchdown in last year's spring scrimmage) was dynamic in his rookie season, but he has to cut down on turnovers.

“We have to stop that,” Ford said. “If we can’t stop that, we’ll keep searching. He can’t turn the ball over.”

While Leathley is just a red-shirt freshman, he has stepped up in leading the Great Danes through the start of the 2011 spring practices.

“He’s leading with his actions,” said fellow frosh, running back Dillon Romain.

“The team believes in him and follows him a little bit,” added Ford.

Two starters (Chris Wilk - ILB; Kyle O'Keefe - OG) are out with injuries.

The spring practices culminate with the intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday, April 9, at 3 p.m.

"You hope to be healthy,” Ford said. “When it’s all said and done, you want to come out of this thing healthy.”

Here's a quick recap of what Ford thought about each area (this isn't quotes, but rather a paraphrase)

• Defensive line should be strong
• Three inside linebackers should be good (4 or 5 in the hunt for the fourth)
• Solid at safety and corner spots
• Very good at punter
• Fairly decent at kicker
• Offensive line "highly suspect"
• Wide receivers and running backs are very good
  

ALBANY - Junior linebacker Chris Wilk sat out last week's home football game against St. Francis (Pa.)

The news doesn't get much better for the Philadelphia native, who will have surgery on his right knee and is done for the season.

Wilk injured himself on the onside kick against Yale, two weeks ago, and will have surgery on Oct. 27.

Also on the injury front, freshman receiver Jameel Gay didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday but did practice on Tuesday.

Freshman running back Dillon Romain practiced on Tuesday and Wednesday, but didn't practice on Thursday because of an ankle sprain. Romain should be good for Saturday's game.

Drew Smith is at about 90 percent. He's been dealing with leg and knee injuries most of the year and even back before the season started.

"We're as healthy as you can get this time of year," said UAlbany coach Bob Ford.

Stopped by UAlbany football practice today and talked to some of the players for Saturday's story to preview the Homecoming game against St. Francis (Pa.).

Junior LB Chris Wilk (sprained knee) is out for the game and sophomore Dave Plungas will start in his place.

Freshman Tramaine Wilson will not play again. He is practicing however.

The game can also be seen on Time Warner 3 in the Capital District.