UAlbany football to open conference play Saturday with Maine

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Fresh off a bye week, the UAlbany football team is back in action Saturday; hosting Maine in the Great Danes' opening Coastal Athletic Association game.

It's been a rocky start to the season for UAlbany, which sits at 1-2. But that's primarily the result of a challenging non-conference slate that included trips to West Virginia out of the Big 12 Conference, and Idaho two weeks ago - the fourth-ranked team in the nation among FCS schools.

"I always look at seasons as quarters," said head coach Greg Gattuso. "We knew the first one was gonna have some challenges for us. There were some really good things that happened, and there were some bad things that happened...and that's what we're workin' on."

One of the main areas Gattuso said the team has focused improving upon is tackling. He added that he'd also like to see the offense run the ball more effectively, especially downhill.

"We have a lot of new people, and I think there's been a lot of learning going on," said Gattuso. "This is two more weeks of practice that we didn't have going into the Idaho game, and I think it's gonna show. I think we're gonna play well."

Keep in mind that last year's squad also started the season 1-2 before winning 10 of their next 11 contests, and reaching the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs.

So nobody is hitting the panic button after just three games. And when the Black Bears come to town Saturday - a program UAlbany has beaten in back-to-back seasons - it'll be an opportunity for the Danes to show they're still a formidable team capable of making another run at a conference championship.

"If I thought we were being out-physicaled, or out-hustled, or anything like that, I'd be concerned," said Gattuso. "But I don't see any signs of that. We just gotta coach better and play better."

Opening kickoff from Tom & Mary Casey Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.