UAlbany football with a sense of urgency going into home opener

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Entering Week 3 of the college football season, UAlbany is still seeking win No. 1. The Great Danes have a great chance to pick that up Saturday, welcoming in the University of New Haven for the Danes' home opener.

New Haven is in its first year of Division 1 competition, and is also out to an 0-2 start. But UAlbany is certainly not making the mistake of overlooking this squad.

Delaware State was just 1-11 last year, and the revamped Hornets - coached by former NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson - handed the Danes a 37-32 defeat last week. That was a wild game that ran 7 1/2 hours because of two weather delays; the second of which lasted around three hours, and came with just two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

That marathon contest, paired with a tough season opener at Iowa, has UAlbany ready to return home. And there's a sense of urgency to get the monkey of their back.

"In the FCS, with playoffs and seeding, you can only have so many losses before it's inevitable that you're not gonna get to the playoffs," said junior wide receiver Caden Burti. "We know at 0-2 that it's not there yet, but it's getting there. We need a win as soon as possible, and to keep stacking these wins."

"I take what we do here really, really, really personally," added interim head coach Jared Ambrose. "I take it home with me. That's why I live in Saratoga; so I can hopefully decompress on the drive there. Every game's a must-win, but our kids deserve this one; they need this one. And I hope like hell they get it."

Of the three games Ambrose has served in the interim capacity - including a game in 2023 against Hawaii in which he filled in for Greg Gattuso - they've all been on the road. Ambrose is looking forward to finally leading UAlbany into battle at home.

"I love that my kids get to see me work," said Ambrose. "They love coming to these games, and I love having 'em here. Seeing them afterwards is always a cool thing. I take my son into the locker room with me, and he eats Cheetos and gives everybody high fives; he's a vibe. So, it'll be a special night."

It'll be a "Black Out" game at Casey Stadium with opening kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.