Scouting Albany

The Great Danes can be summed up in two words: Great Defense.

Through three games this season, Albany has allowed just 11 points per game, 2.4 yards per rush, and have recovered almost twice as many opponent fumbles as TD's allowed.

But stats don't tell the whole story. The Great Danes have been best in the clutch and that's why they're 3-0 and starting to get very excited about contending in the FCS.

The defense is anchored by a stellar group of linebackers. Red shirt sophomore Michael Nicastro is having a breakout season after just getting into the starting lineup late last year.

But the Albany secondary is a major factor in the run defense as well. As one commenter here has already noted, the Great Danes swarm to the ball as a habit. DB's Rayshawn Clark, Jojo McLary, and TJ Idowu all help shut down the run.

The best pure pass defender appears to be junior Kyle Sakowski who comes to Albany from the legendary Don Bosco High School in New Jersey.

The offense is not exciting, but it doesn't make stupid mistakes. The Great Danes have just ONE turnover in three games. That's what an efficient running game will do for you, as Albany averages 42 rushing attempts per contest.

The RB who makes it happen is Omar Osbourne, a 5th year senior who was named to a number of award watch lists in preseason. He has simply been a workhorse; averaging 27 carries and 116 yards per game. But he has not yet scored a TD.

QB Will Fiacchi hasn't been spectacular, but the 5th year senior isn't making mistakes. He's averaging fewer than 200 yards passing per game and has a 52% completion rate, but he has five TD passes and just one INT. True freshman Josh Gontarek is his top receiver so far. But don't sleep on TE Brian Parker, who is a great combination blocker and receiver and he makes things happen.

The Great Dane kicker is a true college football journeyman, having spent time with Tennessee, Temple and Erie Community College. He's been generally solid and even had a 46 yard FG last week against Rhode Island.

Punter Jonathan Martin is one of the best Columbia will see all season.

Albany's return game has been below average, but the coverage teams have done a good job.

The big intangible is the job new Head Coach Greg Gattuso is doing in his first season. The former Maryland assistant has been a big shot in the arm to the program in the wake of the retirement of longtime Albany coaching legend Bob Ford.

Does Albany deserve to be the 26 point favorites that they are right now over Columbia? Perhaps, but this is a team that hasn't really shown the juice to score 26 points at all this season. Either way, the Lions have their hands full.