No. 23 Football Falls, 31-28, To James Madison In CAA Dogfight

ALBANY, N.Y. – The No. 23 University at Albany football team battled back to even the score, 28-28, with under a minute remaining in Saturday's CAA clash at Bob Ford Field. However, the visiting James Madison University Dukes hit a 34-yard field goal with four seconds on the clock, stealing a 31-28 victory from the Great Danes. The loss marked the first of the season for UAlbany, dropping the Danes' record to 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the CAA, while JMU improved to 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in conference play.

“I thought they played a hard game. We had a chance to win that football game, but we didn't,” said Head Coach Greg Gattuso. “I give JMU credit. I think their quarterback made some plays when they needed to. It's a tough game for us to lose at home, but on to Richmond.”

Redshirt senior running back Omar Osbourne led the Great Danes with two touchdowns and 129 rushing yards on 29 carries, marking his fourth straight 100+ performance this season, while moving into fifth-place on UAlbany's career rushing chart (2,687 yards).

“We're a different group of kids from last year. We're a different UAlbany,” said Osbourne “I'm discouraged that we came away with a loss. We know what we can do, and that's stay with any team in this conference.”

Freshman wide receiver Josh Gontarek also scored two touchdowns, accruing 81 receiving yards on six receptions from redshirt senior quarterback Will Fiacchi. Despite substantial defensive pressure in the pocket, Fiacchi totaled a season-high 278 passing yards, completing 17-of-32 attempts.

Defensively, junior safety Kyle Sakowski led the team with 13 tackles (3 solo), followed by linebacker Michael Nicastro's 12 tackles (5 solo), and cornerback Rayshan Clark's 10 tackles (5 solo) and four pass breakups.

In the first quarter, the Great Danes set the tempo, holding possession for over 12 minutes of the 15-minute stanza. Using nine plays to travel 67-yards down the gridiron, UAlbany took a 7-0 lead with 7:57 on the clock, as Osbourne pushed his way two yards into the end zone. In the successful scoring drive, UAlbany converted twice on third down – first on a 17-yard pass to tight end Brian Parker , and then on a 27-yard pass to Brad Harris. On Harris' reception, the Dukes lost safety Dean Marlowe for the remainder of the game due to a targeting penalty that put the Danes on the 7-yardline. The catch also set up three consecutive runs by Osbourne, ending in the game's first points.

However, on JMU's next drive, quarterback Vad Lee, a redshirt junior transfer from Georgia Tech, scampered 57-yards for a touchdown, tying the game, 7-7, with 6:43 to go in the first.

The Dukes turned defense into offense, stopping UAlbany's 4^th-and-1 goal line push at the start of the second quarter, and then drove 99-yards down the field for a 14-7 lead. The 17-play drive ended on Jauan Latney's two-yard run into the end zone.

James Madison stretched its lead to 21-7 with 1:21 remaining in the half, as Lee connected a 37-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Smith.

However, the Great Danes rallied in the closing minute of the first half. Facing 4^th-and-5 at the JMU-47, Fiacchi found Parker open for a 31-yard reception. On third down, Fiacchi connected a 16-yard touchdown pass to Gontarek with 19 seconds on the clock, cutting the margin to seven, 21-14, at the break.

UAlbany struck first out of the locker rooms, as Fiacchi again found Gontarek in the back of the end zone with a 13-yard touchdown pass, tying the game, 21-21, with 8:57 to go in the third quarter.

The Dukes answered on their next drive, regaining the lead, 28-21, on Deane Cheatham's 7-yard reception from Lee at the 6:21 mark.

JMU looked to stretch its lead to two scores with just over two minutes left in the quarter, but junior Jojo McClary blocked the Dukes' 48-yard field goal attempt.

UAlbany's defense continued to keep JMU off the board, and with the pressure on, the offense worked its way 71-yards down the field on 11 plays as the final minutes ticked off the clock. Capping the drive with four straight handoffs to Osbourne, the stands erupted as his one-yard run and Patrick Toole's point-after tied the game, 28-28, with just 55 seconds left in the contest.

However, Lee took the game into his own hands in the final minute, completing three passes and rushing twice to set up a 34-yard field goal on second down for Ryan Maglio with 10 seconds on the clock. Adding more drama to the dogfight, the snap was fumbled and holder Blaine Stewart spiked the ball. The quick-thinking play, allowed Maglio another shot at the game-winner with four seconds left, and he connected.

Lee finished the game with 177 passing yards (14-23) and 111 rushing yards on 17 carries. Defensively, Marcell Johnson's 14 tackles (4 solo) and Gaige Steele's 12 tackles (4 solo) led the Dukes.

The Great Danes continue CAA play at home next Saturday, hosting Richmond for a 3:30 p.m. Homecoming clash.

Scoring Summary (Final) 

James Madison (3-3,1-2) vs. ALBANY (4-1,1-1)

Date: Oct 04, 2014 • Site: Albany, N.Y.  • Stadium: Bob Ford Field  •  Attendance: 3284

Team Statistics (Final) 

Individual Statistics (Final) 

Drive Chart (Final) 

Drive Chart (By Quarter)

Defensive Statistics (Final) 

Participation Report (Final)