Another second-half surge from UAlbany propels Danes to first CAA victory

SMITHFIELD, R.I. ( NEWS10 ) — Racking up seven sacks and nine tackles for loss, the University at Albany football team used a strong defensive performance to claim the team’s first CAA win of the season Saturday afternoon at Bryant. The Great Danes overcame a 7-3 halftime deficit to escape Smithfield, Rhode Island on the right side of a 24-17 decision.

Key Stat Lines

• Myles Burkett completed 13-22 passes for 183 yards, throwing two TDs and two INTs. He also ran for 57 yards.
• Levi Wentz led the receiving corps with 106 yards on four receptions.
• Seven McGee finished with four receptions for 26 yards, two of which went for TDs.
• Jojo Uga took 15 carries for 54 yards, scoring a TD.
• Dontae Lunan , returning to Bryant, led the team with seven tackles – including a TFL.
• The UAlbany defense finished with seven total sacks, led by Chiebuka Aduaka with two. Jack Iuliano (1.5), Ibrahim Sanogo (1), Marcus Winfield (1), Erv Wiggins Jr. (1), and Balansama Kamara (0.5) also found their name on the sack sheet.
• Winfield and Thomas Joe-Kamara each had a fumble recovery.
• Joe-Kamara collected his first INT as a Great Dane.

Head Coach Greg Gattuso : “Tough game. I thought Bryant came out ready to play with the early touchdown and we struggled in the red zone a little bit, but no panic. The kids kept playing hard. When you can win a road game with you ‘B-Game’ it’s a positive, we just need to get to our ‘A-Game’ soon.”

How it Happened:

• It took Bryant just three plays on its opening possession to find the end zone. After an incomplete pass, running back Fabrice Mukendi ripped off a 39-yard rush before quarterback Jarrett Guest completed a 36-yard pass over the middle to Landon Ruggieri for the score.

• In Bryant territory on their first possession, the Great Danes offense was unable to convert a 4 ^th -and-2 from the Bryant 25.
• The Bulldogs had an opportunity to go up two scores, but a fumble at the UAlbany one-yard line gave the ball back to the Great Danes early in the second. UAlbany’s Denzel Patrick was able to make the recovery.
• The UAlbany defense recovered another fumble midway through the second quarter on a miscommunication in the Bryant backfield. Dasean Dixon was able to fall on it for the Great Danes on the Bryant 36-yard line.
• On the ensuing drive, Bryant’s Colin Elliott was credited with an interception in the UAlbany end zone.
• The Great Danes were able to block a punt in the Bryant end zone, handing the ball to the offense on Bryant’s eight-yard line with just under four minutes on the clock.
• UAlbany was unable to punch it in on their next possession, settling for a 27-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 2:21 remaining.
• The Great Danes took the lead early in the third quarter, marching 75 yards on eight plays to start the second half with a score. Myles Burkett found wideout Seven McGee in the far side of the end zone, three yards out, to make it 10-7.
• The Bulldogs responded immediately, scoring on their next drive after a solid kickoff return. They tied it up on a 22-yard field goal after the UAlbany defense refused to break on the four-yard line, making it 10-10.
• UAlbany took the lead with 10:34 on the clock in the fourth quarter on Seven McGee’s second TD reception of the game, this one from five yards out. The score was setup a few plays earlier in the drive, when UAlbany converted a 3 ^rd -and-31 on a 38-yard bullet to Levi Wentz .
• Thomas Joe-Kamara picked up an interception on Bryant’s next offense drive, giving UAlbany the ball at the Bryant 41-yard line.
• The Great Danes had a chance to extend the lead midway through the final frame, but the offense was held inside the Bryant 10-yard line. A 26-yard field goal attempt from UAlbany was missed, wide left, keeping it 17-10.
• The Bulldogs offense took the field with 2:43 remaining but was unable to pick up a first down. They turned it over on downs to give UAlbany possession on the Bryant six-yard line.
• The Great Danes punched it in on a rush from rookie back Jojo Uga to push the lead to 24-10 with 1:07 on the clock.
• The Bulldogs then drove 75 yards in 59 seconds to cut the deficit to just seven points with 16 seconds remaining.
• Bryant was able to recover their onside kick, setting up a Hail Mary from the UAlbany 48-yard line. The pass fell incomplete, ending the game with 0:00 on the clock.

Next: The Great Danes return home next weekend as they host CAA rival Elon at Casey Stadium for Homecoming. Keep up with all of the latest news, highlights, and insights on UAlbany football by following the team on X and Instagram and by following UAlbany Athletics on Facebook .

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