By Brandon Vanenburg | October 25, 2021
On Saturday, the UAlbany Great Danes once again came up short, this time in a matchup against Maine at home, losing 19-16 in a game that featured numerous missed opportunities.
Even though Maine was last in points in the CAA, allowing 34.2 points per game, the Great Danes offense still could not find any rhythm on the offensive side of the ball. They only managed three points in the first half. Quarterbacks Jeff Undercuffler and Joey Carino had 151 combined passing yards as they saw their passes dropped all over the field. Undercuffler started the game but was replaced by Carino until head coach Greg Gattuso decided to go back with his starter.
It was not until the fourth quarter when the Great Danes offense started showing signs of life. Senior running back Karl Mofor was one of the lone bright spots on the day on offense. He finished the game with 174 total yards and scored a critical touchdown in the fourth quarter to help close the gap.
Mofor spoke on how the team has yet to put forth a complete game this season. “In this league, you aren’t going to win the game in the first quarter, second quarter, or third quarter,” said Mofor. “You got to win all quarters.”
Undercuffler was benched for Carino for the second time in the last calendar year. He spoke on the team’s issue with being consistent offensively. “We just got to look in the mirror and talk about what we are not doing right,” said Undercuffler. “Football is a team sport, probably the biggest team sport in all sports. We have to get back to being us and staying consistent.”
The defense did its best to keep the offense in the game as they had been doing all season. A vital stop by defensive lineman Jared Verse came in the fourth quarter gave the Great Danes a chance to win at the end, but the offense could not capitalize on their last drive of the game.
"It's a familiar situation, unfortunately,” said Gattuso. “I think we let opportunities go. We had great field position early in the second half and another opportunity early. Too tight of a game to not get points when you need them."
The Great Danes remain winless through seven games. They will look to get their first win of the year as they play Townson on the road next weekend.