UAlbany opts out of remainder of football season
ALBANY, N.Y. (BVM) — With two games left on its schedule, the University at Albany has decided to opt out of the remainder of the spring football season.
After having nine players come off the field with injuries in the team’s matchup against Stony Brook, the Great Danes decided that it was in their best interest to put a halt to their 2021 season.
“After conversations with Coach Gattuso, the football leadership group, our athletic trainers, and our president, we have concluded that it is in the best interests of the health of our football student-athletes to opt out of the remainder of our season,” Director of Athletics Mark Benson said in a press release. “Our student-athletes have done a tremendous job following all of our health and safety protocols this season, and this decision is not directly related to COVID-19. Rather, it was made based on the extraordinary amount of injuries that have occurred this season and the overall health of our football program.”
The Great Danes were without starting quarterback Jeff Undercuffler and linebacker Levi Metheny already for the Stony Brook game and were particularly short on depth at the wide receiver position due to the ongoing injury bug.
Without padded practices throughout 2020 due to Covid-19 concerns, the UAlbany head coach made sure to praise his players for their efforts during a trying season.
“We are all competitive people and have done everything in our power to play a full spring season,” head football coach Greg Gattuso said. “While disappointed we won’t see that happen, we are fully supportive of this decision. It all comes down to the health and safety of our student-athletes. I am so proud of our team for their efforts complying with all safety protocols and University guidelines dating back to the Fall semester and up to this point.”
The Great Danes were 1-3 in the team’s six–game spring season and were looking to close their season out on a high note after being knocked out of Championship Subdivision playoff contention. Coming off a 9-5 season in 2019-20, UAlbany faced a much more adverse situation during the team’s current season.
Even with a four–game season, the team was able to progress many of its younger players. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Braeden Zenelovic and freshman quarterback Joey Carino were benefactors of the season, receiving game action after Undercuffler sustained an injury.
UAlbany won’t play again until its fall season opener against North Dakota State on Sept. 4.
