University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hens Hope to Keep Playoff Hopes Alive, Head to Albany Saturday for CAA Football Clash
11/6/2014 10:06:00 AM | Football
#rv/nr DELAWARE “Blue Hens” (5-4, 3-2 CAA) vs.
#rv/rv ALBANY “Great Danes” (6-3, 2-3 CAA)
Saturday, November 8, 2014 • 3:30 p.m. • Albany, N.Y. • Bob Ford Field (8,500)
GAME PREVIEW:
Delaware Looks to Keep Postseason Hopes Alive as Blue Hens Make First Ever Trip to Albany
ALBANY, N.Y. -- Both the University of Delaware and University at Albany will be looking to keep their postseason hopes alive this week when the two teams square off at Bob Ford Field Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.
Delaware (5-4, 3-2 CAA) broke out of a two-game losing slump last Saturday as the Blue Hens dropped Rhode Island 28-13 at Delaware Stadium, downing the Rams for the sixth time in the last seven meetings thanks to a solid defensive effort that saw UD put in its best defensive effort in three years.
Albany (6-3, 2-3 CAA), a second-year Colonial Athletic Association member, has made a remarkable turnaround this season under first-year head coach Greg Gattuso, who inherited a team that went just 1-11 a year ago and did not win a league game.
This season the Great Danes have been remarkably consistent on offense, scoring at least 20 points in each of its last seven games. Albany's only losses came to James Madison (31-28), to then No. 20 Richmond (41-28), and last week to No. 2 ranked New Hampshire (49-24).
The two teams, both of whom earned votes in this week's The Sports Network Top 25 poll, will be meeting for just the fourth time ever but for the first time in Albany, N.Y.
Dave Brock (Salisbury State '94) - 12-9 (.571) all-time at Delaware and overall (2nd season)...7-6 (.538) in Colonial Athletic Association play...9-4 (.692) all-time at Delaware Stadium (4-3 vs. CAA); 3-5 (.375) on the road (3-3 vs. CAA)...1-0 vs. Albany...22nd head coach in Delaware football history...native of Moorestown, N.J. and a veteran of 23 collegiate seasons as an assistant coach...came to Delaware after serving one season as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach under coach Kyle Flood at Rutgers where team posted a 9-4 record, won a share of the Big East title, and advanced to the Russell Athletic Bowl...has also coached at Boston College, Kansas State, North Carolina, Temple, Hofstra, Salisbury State, and Western Connecticut State...played linebacker at Ferrum (Va.) College before earning degree from Salisbury (Md.) State University in 1994...he and wife, Karen, have five children - Henry, William, Richard, Kate, and Maggie.ALBANY:
Greg Gattuso (Penn State '83)...6-3 (.667) in 1st season at Albany...103-35 (.746) in his 13th season overall as a head coach...native of Pittsburgh, Pa....only the second head coach in Albany's 41-year football history after succeeding Bob Ford this season...in his second head coaching stint after leading Duquesne to a record of 97-32 over 12 seasons in 1993-2004...has served as assistant coach at Maryland (2011-13), Pitt (2005-10), Duquesne (1987, 1992), and Penn State (graduate assistant in 1984)...four-year standout player at Penn State where he led the Nittany Lions to the 1982 national championship...led Pitt to three bowl appearances during his coaching tenure...high school head coach at Seton LaSalle (Pa.) in 1989-91.
DELAWARE-ALBANY SERIES
• Delaware leads the series by a 2-1 margin with two straight victories
• This week's game will be the first hosted by Albany as the previous three meetings were held at Delaware Stadium.
• Delaware captured the last two meetings, winning 38-7 in 2008 and coming on top in the closing seconds with a 33-30 victory last season in Newark
• Albany's lone win in the series was a 17-10 upset in 2006 at Delaware Stadium
• Delaware has outscored the Great Danes 81-54 in the series.
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