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Albany makes opening statement

ALBANY 24, UNH 20

DURHAM — A strong third quarter and a defensive stand in the game’s final minute allowed Albany to open its Colonial Athletic Association spring season with a 24-20 victory over the University of New Hampshire on Friday night, spoiling UNH coach Sean McDonnell’s return to the sideline.

BOX SCORE

UNH trailed 24-20, but took possession just inside the Albany 8-yard line with 1:07 left after a botched punt by the Great Danes. The Wildcats went backwards from there with two penalties and four incomplete passes, however, and Albany regained possession after a fourth-down pass fell incomplete in the end zone with 48 seconds to play.

“Everybody in the country practies sudden change,” Albany coach Greg Gattuso said. “I’m so proud of the kids. They were very resilient down there and made some plays.”

Albany led 24-14 when the Wildcats forced a fumble and linebacker Oleh Manzyk returned the ball from the Albany 38-yard line to the 24. Two plays later UNH quarterback Max Brosmer completed an 18-yard touchdown pass to Sean Coyne wih 6:48 to play. The PAT was blocked by Jared Verse.

The Wildcats moved the ball to the Albany 23 on their next possession, but the drive ended following an incomplete pass on a fourth-and-four play with 2:14 left.

It was McDonnell’s first game since the 2018 season. He took a medical leave of absence in 2019 to deal with cancer treatment.

“Disappointing loss,” McDonnell said. “To me what separated the two teams was that they executed, I think, a lot better in the second half than we did in a lot of different things. They played a lot cleaner is some situations. Our penalties (12 for 95 yards) were very disappointing. … That’s been a trademark of this team. When we’ve been successful we’ve played smart. We didn’t do the things you need to do to win a football game.”

Coyne caught two TD passes for the Wildcats, who limited the Great Danes to 32 yards rushing on 27 carries. 

UNH led 14-7 at halftime, but was outscored 14-0 in the third quarter.

Sophomore Jeff Undercuffler, Albany’s starting quarterback, tossed three TD passes in the victory. Undercuffler had 41 TD passes as a freshman.

“Just want to give a shout out to our defense,” Underduffler said. “They stepped up … and just ended the game for us.”

Albany trailed 14-7 until Undercuffler connected with wide receiver Tyler Oedekoven for an 18-yard TD pass on the opening drive of the third quarter. Dylan Burns made the PAT that tied the contest, 14-14, wth 10:36 left in the third.

Albany knocked the ball out of Brosmer’s hands and recovered the fumble on UNH’s 22-yard line on the ensuing possession. The Great Danes cashed in when Undercuffler hit running back Karl Mofor with a 9-yard TD pass that helped make it 21-14.

The Great Danes extended their lead to double digits, 24-14, when Burns kicked a 37-yard field goal with 11:38 to play. Burns also made each of his three PAT kicks.

The game was tied, 7-7, after one quarter, and UNH led 14-7 at halftime.

Each team scored on its opening possession. UNH struck first when Coyne hauled in a 4-yard pass from Brosmer. The play capped a 14-play, 68-yard drive that took 7:01 off the clock. Jordan Conn made the PAT.

Albany answered with a 23-yard pass from Undercuffler to freshman wide receiver Mike Gray with 1:21 remaining in the quarter. The PAT made it 7-7.

UNH took the lead for the second time when Zedane Williams blocked a punt and J.J. Jerome recovered the ball in the end zone. Conn’s kick put UNH in front 14-7 with 1:08 left in the first half.

“Man, it’s one of those tough ones that gets you,” Brosmer said. “We had multiple opportunities to win that football game at the end.”

SCORING SUMMARY
First Quarter

UNH–Sean Coyne 4 pass from Max Brosmer (Jordan Conn kick), 7:59.
ALB–Mike Gray 23 pass from Jeff Undercuffler (Dylan Burns kick), 1:21.

Second Quarter

UNH–J.J. Jerome recovers blocked punt in end zone (Conn kick), 1:08.

Third Quarter

ALB–Tyler Oedekoven 18 pass from Undercuffler (Burns kick), 10:36.
ALB–Karl Mofor 9 pass from Undercuffler (Burns kick), 7:41.

Fourth Quarter

ALB–Dylan Burns 37 FG, 11:38.
UNH–Coyne 18 pass from Brosmer (kick blocked), 6:48.

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