Tag: Albany

Sep 7, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers tight end Kole Taylor (87) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Albany Great Danes at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

West Virginia rushes for 305 yards, blasts Albany

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Garrett Greene threw for three touchdowns as West Virginia downed Albany 49-14 on Saturday night in Morgantown, W.Va.

Greene completed 17 of 23 passes for 236 yards for the Mountaineers (1-1). He also rushed for 68 yards on seven carries and found the end zone once on the ground.

West Virginia finished with 305 rushing yards in all, with CJ Donaldson Jr. racking up a game-high 125 on 14 carries. He ran for one TD, as did Jahiem White and Nicco Marchiol. White went for 100 yards on 10 touches.

Myles Burkett threw for 306 yards and a touchdown on 18-for-39 passing for the Great Danes (1-1). Jojo Uga had 57 yards on nine carries, and Griffin Woodell rushed for a score.

The Mountaineers’ defense stood tall on Albany’s first drive of the second half to prevent the Great Danes from getting back into the game.

Burkett completed two long passes, a 41-yard bomb to Seven McGee and a 49-yard strike to Levi Wentz, to get Albany to the West Virginia 2. But Burkett’s first-down pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage, a run by Burkett on second down gained only 1 yard and passes on third and fourth down fell incomplete.

The Mountaineers then went on a 14-play, 99-yard drive that took 6:40 off the clock and culminated in a 10-yard touchdown pass from Greene to Hudson Clement to put the hosts up 35-14.

Donaldson added on to the lead with a 2-yard rushing score with 49 seconds left in the third quarter, and Marchiol found the end zone from 12 yards out in the fourth.

West Virginia opened up a 21-0 lead by scoring on its first three drives of the game.

White capped the first with a 14-yard rushing TD and Greene punctuated the second with a 12-yard scoring strike to Justin Robinson to make it 14-0 with 5:41 left in the first quarter. Kole Taylor hauled in a 39-yard touchdown pass with 14:49 left in the second.

Albany finally scored on Woodell’s 7-yard touchdown run with 4:40 to go in the first half.

Burkett found Jacari Carter for a 33-yard TD, but Greene responded with a 40-yard scoring scamper to make it 28-14 West Virginia at the break.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Garrett Greene (6) is sacked on the two point conversion attempt during the fourth quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

West Virginia hosts FCS semifinalist from last season, Albany

Posted on | by Field Level Media

On the heels of a disappointing loss to Penn State, West Virginia will try to get rolling when it hosts FCS opponent Albany on Saturday evening in Morgantown, W.Va.

The Mountaineers (0-1) gave up 457 yards of offense to No. 8 Penn State last week, were just 1-for-4 on red-zone trips, and committed three turnovers in a 34-12 loss.

“Our season’s still in front of us,” West Virginia coach Neal Brown said Monday. “There’s been a lot of good West Virginia teams that got beat by Penn State in its history and bounced back and have had special years, and there’s no reason why this team can’t do the same.”

West Virginia is 24-0 against FCS opponents since 1978. Albany is 1-8 against FBS foes, with the win coming against Buffalo in 2016.

The Great Danes (1-0) defeated Long Island University 27-21 in their season opener after trailing in the second half. Sophomore quarterback Myles Burkett threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Seven McGee, and defensive lineman Jack Iuliano returned a Sharks fumble 20 yards for a score.

“I don’t think we had our fastball tonight, but the big thing is we fought through and won the game,” Albany coach Greg Gattuso said afterward. “I thought we stepped up in big moments and made big plays when we needed them.”

Albany earned a share of the CAA title last year and reached the FCS playoff semifinals, but lost the majority of that team to the transfer portal or graduation. The Great Danes’ offense revolves around running back Griffin Woodell and a talented offensive line.

Woodell rushed for 85 yards against the Sharks. He was the CAA Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 after scoring 12 touchdowns.

Albany is ranked No. 16 in the FCS Top 25 and was picked to finish third in the CAA this season.

“They’re a good football team,” Brown said. “This is the best FCS program we’ve had coming in here since the first game in 2019 when we played James Madison.”

West Virginia quarterback Garrett Greene threw for 161 yards against Penn State, connecting with eight different receivers, but the Mountaineers were held to under 100 yards rushing.

Mountaineers redshirt freshman linebacker Josiah Trotter, the son of NFL All-Pro linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, had 10 tackles in the loss and broke up a pass.

The Albany game is sandwiched between two big rivalry games for West Virginia. The Mountaineers will travel to Pitt for the “Backyard Brawl” next week.

–Field Level Media

Sep 3, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; A view of the helmets of the Albany Great Danes during the game between the Baylor Bears and the Albany Great Danes at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

NFL draft hopeful AJ Simon of Albany dead at 25

Posted on | by Field Level Media

AJ Simon, a defensive lineman from the University at Albany who was hoping to be drafted into the NFL next week, died at age 25, the school confirmed Wednesday.

Simon played four seasons of football at the FCS level — two at Bloomsburg (2018, 2021) and two at Albany. The native of Pennsylvania had 12.5 sacks for Albany in 2023 and was named to the All-CAA first team.

A cause of death was not released.

“The UAlbany football program was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former student-athlete Amitral ‘AJ’ Simon this morning,” the team said in a statement. “AJ was a tremendous young man and even better teammate throughout his time at UAlbany. He was a role model both on and off the field, serving as a pillar to this program over the last two years. He will be profoundly missed.”

Albany coach Greg Gattuso posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he spent two “joyous” years getting to know Simon as a coach and friend.

“My prayers are dedicated to the Simon family,” Gattuso wrote. “I love you AJ and will always have a special place in my heart for #8.”

Simon had taken a pre-draft visit to the New England Patriots, NBC Sports reported.

–Field Level Media

Feb 13, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; NFL free agent Antonio Brown smiles in the third quarter in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown, partner dispute ownership of Arena team

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL All-Pro Antonio Brown is in a dispute with a business partner over who actually owns he Albany Empire of the National Arena League.

On March 7, at a news conference in Albany, N.Y., Brown was announced as a part owner of the team. But on Saturday, Brown told the local Times Union that he owns the team.

“I’m the owner, 100 percent owner. I don’t take that lightly,” Brown told the newspaper in a phone interview. “My job as the owner (is) to provide the players and community, the front office, everyone that experience, the experience of Albany, and I’m excited about that role.”

But Mike Kwarta, who welcomed Brown to the team at that news conference, said that isn’t true. He told the newspaper that he and Brown each own 47.5 percent of the team, with Charlotte and Steve von Schiller holding the other 5 percent. He added he’d paid $774,042 in worker’s compensation insurance, while Brown said he footed the entire $1.5 million bill.

When Brown was introduced as part of the ownership group in March, financial agreements were not disclosed.

Brown, the former NFL All-Pro wide receiver whose career has been marked by controversy, said Kwarta “couldn’t afford things in regards of (moving) the business forward,” per the report.

The Empire open their season Sunday at home against the Orlando Predators.

Brown, 34, spent some time as a child in Albany, where his father is a legend. Eddie Brown, who starred for the Albany Firebirds in the heyday of the Arena Football League, and also joined the Empire franchise as vice president of operations last month.

–Field Level Media

Mar 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Antonio Brown poses for photographers after the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the LA Clippers at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Antonio Brown takes part ownership of Arena team

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former NFL All-Pro Antonio Brown promised to be hands on in his new role as a part-owner of the Albany Empire of the National Arena League.

Brown was introduced Thursday at a news conference in Albany, N.Y., where his father is a legend. Eddie Brown, who starred for the Albany Firebirds in the heyday of the Arena Football League, also is joining the franchise as vice president of operations.

The Albany Times Union said Empire owner Mike Kwarta declined to offer details about Brown’s ownership agreement but commented that they are “equal partners, if you would.”

“Touchdown” Eddie Brown played in Albany from 1994-2001, and Antonio Brown was in elementary school with his dad joined the Firebirds.

“It means everything to be back here in the community where I grew up as a kid,” Antonio Brown said. “It’s about keeping Albany football, sustainability, being here forever, and offering the community, the kids, the players, a great opportunity to be successful.”

He said he isn’t just investing money in the franchise.

“I just want to be here hands-on, help the players be successful on and off the field, and just be an advocate here in the community to bring it out. If that’s going out in the community, getting people to the game, getting kids to come out here, events in the stadium, so whatever it takes to help us be our best selves and hoist a trophy,” Brown said.

Kwarta said he had no worries about partnering with the controversial Brown, who faced suspensions, criminal charges and civil lawsuits in his NFL days. Kwarta said their conversations had focused on Brown’s “childhood, what his dad did here, the legacies, and what can we do for the community, and that’s completely what we’re focused on.”

Eddie Brown was voted the best player in Arena Football League history in 2006 as the league celebrated its 20th anniversary.

The current Arena league doesn’t prohibit player-owners, but Antonio Brown said that won’t happen.

“I did everything as far as playing in the career of football,” the younger Brown said. “I won’t retire because I still got the game, but just working on other things.”

Brown, 34, played 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs released him on Jan. 6, 2022, days after he left the field in a game against the New York Jets and threw part of his gear into the stands.

A four-time All-Pro, Brown won a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2020. In 146 career games, he made 928 catches for 12,291 yards and caught 83 touchdown passes. He also returned one kickoff and four punts for TDs.

The Empire open the season April 16 at home against the Orlando Predators.

–Field Level Media

Sep 3, 2022; Waco, Texas, USA; Albany Great Danes wide receiver Julian Hicks (1) is tackled by Baylor Bears safety Al Walcott (13) during the second quarter at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Blake Shapen, No. 10 Baylor smash Albany 69-10

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Blake Shapen passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third score and Gavin Holmes had a 72-yard punt return TD as No. 10 Baylor rolled to a 69-10 win over visiting Albany on Saturday in the season opener for both teams in Waco, Texas.

The Bears (1-0), the defending Big 12 Conference champions, had little problem with Albany, an FCS school that was picked to finish 12th in the 13-team Colonial Athletic Association after going 2-9 last year.

Shapen completed 17 of 20 passes for 214 yards as Baylor outgained the Great Danes 573-237.

Reese Poffenbarger passed for 150 yards and a score and ran for a team-best 45 yards in three quarters of action for Albany (0-1).

Baylor scored on three of its first four possessions, with Shapen torching the Great Danes’ defense for touchdown passes of 47 and 38 yards to Monaray Baldwin and Hal Presley, respectively, and Craig Williams ramming home a 4-yard TD run.

Holmes’ punt return in the first quarter followed Williams’ scoring run and preceded a 17-yard touchdown pass from Poffenbarger to Julian Hicks that was Albany’s only true highlight of the first quarter.

Shapen added a 1-yard touchdown run on an all-or-nothing final play of the half to push Baylor’s lead to 35-7 at the break. The Bears outgained Albany 257-139 in the first half, with a 214-87 edge through the air.

Baldwin ripped off a 50-yard run around left end on Baylor’s first drive of the third quarter to increase the Bears’ advantage.

John Opalko added a 25-yard field goal in the third quarter for Great Danes’ final points.

Kyron Drones, who relieved Shapen at the 6:19 mark of the third quarter, engineered a scoring drive in his first series, eventually scoring on a 9-yard jaunt late in the quarter. Richard Resse added TD runs of 1 and 7 yards in the fourth quarter before Qualan Jones capped the scoring with a 27-yard TD run as the Bears poured it on late.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Snoop Conner (24) rushes against the Baylor Bears cornerback Mark Milton (37) during the second half of the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

New look, same high standards as No. 10 Baylor faces Albany

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 10 Baylor will look to handle a lower-level opponent and set the table for a repeat run to the Big 12 Conference title when it hosts Albany, an FCS team, on Saturday evening in the season opener for both teams at Waco, Texas.

The Bears won 12 games for the first time in program history in 2021, a season after they went 2-7. Baylor beat Oklahoma State in the conference championship game last December, then defeated seventh-ranked Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl to finish 12-2.

After being picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 in last year’s preseason coaches’ poll, Baylor is the league favorite heading into this season.

“Last year, we took everybody by surprise, but this year it’s no surprise,” Baylor senior cornerback Mark Milton said. “It’s kind of like every game is going to be (our opponents’) Super Bowl, so we’ve got to be on our Ps and Qs every single week knowing that. We’re going to do the same thing — pound the rock every day.”

Baylor will have to replace the majority of its offensive firepower from last year, but the Bears have serious depth throughout the roster.

Baylor’s returning players, including four starters on the offensive line, have taken charge, leaving coach Dave Aranda impressed by how the veterans have shown the team’s newcomers the standards expected from the team.

“We’ve been way focused and positive,” Aranda said. “And it gets better when we hit the field and we see the effort and the competitiveness of when we’re striving and pushing each other to be better.”

“The issues for us are really strong leadership that left from last year and growing some leaders. All the way back to what leadership is, there’s been a lot of work with that, and it’s ongoing.”

Sophomore quarterback Blake Shapen won the starting job over senior Gerry Bohanon in the spring and has been impressive as his leadership and passing skills have evolved throughout the summer and preseason camp.

Albany, which was added to Baylor’s schedule when a home-and-away series with Louisiana Tech was canceled, will be little but fodder for the Bears to tinker with in their opener. Things will get much tougher in Week 2 when Baylor travels to play No. 25 BYU.

The Great Danes, who play in the Colonial Athletic Association as an FCS Division I school, went 2-9 last season in their eighth year under coach Greg Gattuso. Albany reached the second round of the FCS playoffs in 2019.

Albany was picked to finish 12th in the 13-team CAA in the preseason media poll. The Great Danes are led by linebacker Jackson Ambush, their leading tackler from last year, punter Tyler Pastula and defensive lineman Anthony Lang, each of whom was named to the All-CAA preseason team.

Sophomore Reese Poffenbarger, a transfer from Old Dominion, will get his first college start for Albany after winning a three-player quarterback battle in the offseason.

“I don’t know what to expect or how we’re going to play or where we’ll be at halftime or anything like that,” Gattuso said. “But the goal is to make sure we get everybody some snaps in the game, for sure.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2021; Syracuse, New York, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights defensive lineman CJ Onyechi (26) recovers a fumble as Syracuse Orange offensive lineman Airon Servais (68) tackles during the fourth quarter at the Carrier Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Syracuse seeks consistency in matchup with Albany

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Syracuse’s first two games produced mixed results. Against Ohio, the Orange were able get enough done offensively, but in their home opener against Rutgers, Syracuse’s offense achieved little.

The Orange hope to display more of a productive offense Saturday afternoon when they host FCS foe Albany.

Syracuse (1-1) has scored a total of 36 points in the first two weeks, and its 641 yards are tied with Miami for the fewest in the ACC. The Orange are averaging 175 rushing yards, good for sixth in the league, but their 145.5 passing yards per game are last in the ACC.

On Saturday, the Orange totaled 258 yards and held possession for 24:04 in a 17-7 loss to visiting Rutgers.

Tommy DeVito completed 15 of 26 passes for 149 yards and also threw an interception and committed a fumble that led to a field goal. He sat for two series in the first half as Garrett Shrader completed 4 of 6 passes for 42 yards.

It is possible the two Orange quarterbacks could split time Saturday, but the team hopes all facets go well, including special teams after Syracuse missed a field-goal attempt and had a punt blocked in the loss to Rutgers.

“We get a chance to work on our weaknesses, that’s the biggest thing,” Shrader said. “Something’s gotta change, but we get a chance to sharpen up going into Liberty and then Florida State and other FBS teams so we can be more explosive on offense.”

Albany (0-2) is experiencing some of the same offensive issues as Syracuse and makes the trip having scored 20 total points in its first two games. After opening the season with a 28-6 loss at North Dakota State, the Great Danes were held to 215 yards in a 16-14 defeat to Rhode Island despite running 74 offensive plays and maintaining possession for more than 33 minutes.

It was the fourth straight game dating to the spring season Albany failed to score more than 14 points, and Saturday’s disappointing outcome occurred after the Great Danes opened the game with a 92-yard touchdown drive. Albany then went three-and-out on six straight possessions as quarterback Jeff Undercuffler was 19 of 35 for 166 yards and was sacked five times.

“I don’t know the answer right now, but I will as we move forward,” Albany coach Greg Gattuso said. “We’re not scoring enough points to win games.”

–Field Level Media