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FCS Previews: Week 15

Thu 4th, December 2008

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Here are the predictions for the quarterfinal round playoff games and the Gridiron Classic from week 15 of the FCS season.

SATURDAY'S FCS QUARTERFINALS

No. 6 Villanova (10-2) at No. 1 James Madison (11-1), 3:30 p.m.

In 2002, Villanova was able to come away from James Madison's Bridgeforth Stadium with a 30-26 victory over the Dukes - the last time the Wildcats won in Harrisonburg, VA. Interestingly enough, it was also the last time the Wildcats made an appearance in the semifinals of the FCS postseason.

Villanova hasn't faced the same team in the same season in 90 years, facing and beating St. Joseph's twice during the 1918 campaign.

Villanova and James Madison had a memorable regular-season meeting, as the Dukes emerged from Villanova Stadium with a 23-19 victory on the strength of a Rodney Landers 35-yard Hail Mary pass to Bosco Williams as time expired. For the majority of that rainy, windy Philadelphia afternoon, the Wildcats ruled the day and dominated the game. The Wildcats actually out-rushed the Dukes, who rank fourth nationally on the ground, 229-169. It marked JMU's lowest rushing output of the season.

Chris Whitney (1,293 yards, nine TDs, four interceptions) leads the Villanova attack in the quarterbacks role, sharing time with Antwon Young (804 yards, four TDs, seven interceptions). Whitney is also the team's second-best running option, having totaled 444 yards and four TDs.

In its 55-28 opening-round triumph over Colgate, Villanova's running game got going behind Aaron Ball (1,052 yards, 13 TDs), who rushed for 92 yards and a couple of TDs. Ball was also effective running the football in the first meeting between the Wildcats and Dukes, leading Villanova's rushing charge with 108 yards.

The leading option via the air has been Phil Atkinson (48 receptions, 10.8 yards per catch, four TDs). Atkinson is complemented at receiver by both Brandyn Harvey (38 receptions, 12.1 yards per catch, eight TDs) and Matt Szczur (30 catches, 14.7 yards per catch, four TDs). Szczur opened the game with a 91- yard kickoff return for a touchdown and added TDs rushing and receiving. Szczur ranks third on the team's rushing ledger, with 437 yards and two TDs on 73 rush attempts.

The real story of Villanova's return to the postseason for the first time in six years has been the play of a defense that ranks 25th nationally (310 yards per game). The Wildcats is led by a heralded defensive line that features defensive ends Greg Miller (41 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks), Tim Kukucka (34 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) and Dave Dalessandro (36 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks).

The linebacking unit is solidified by Osayi Osunde leads the club with 68 tackles to go with two interceptions, while safeties Darrel Young (63 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two sacks) and Ray Ventrone (52 tackles, four interceptions) bolster the Wildcats' secondary. Young, one of the leaders of the team, on and off the field, is questionable after suffering a head injury on Szczur's TD kickoff return last week.

Villanova's biggest defensive problem in the first game with JMU was giving up two touchdowns on busts in the secondary, when Ventrone bit on Landers play fakes.

JMU hadn't experienced a scare since its mid-season clash with the Wildcats until last Saturday's 38-35 opening-round triumph over Wofford. The Dukes performed well on the offensive side of the ball, but struggled to stop the Terriers' option attack, allowing 301 yards.

In the Dukes' 2004 national title run, it took a 48-34 win at William & Mary's Zable Stadium - the last time JMU has faced an opponent twice in a season - to propel them to the championship game. Now the Dukes will try to do something they have never done as an FCS team - complete the season sweep against a league foe.

Landers (1,362 passing yards, 18 TDs, four interceptions, 63.4 completion percentage, 1,543 rushing yards, 15 TDs) is among the top multi-threat signal- callers in the FCS. In last week's victory over the Terriers, the Payton Award finalist rushed for 166 yards, including the game-clinching six-yard touchdown, while completing eight-of-15 passes for 124 yards and a career-high-tying three TDs to account for four of five JMU scores against Wofford.

Not known as a passing threat, Landers did a majority of his damage through the air (eight-of-12, 184 yards, three TDs) in the last meeting against the Wildcats.

Eugene Holloman (894 yards, eight TDs) and Griff Yancey (471 yards, 10 TDs) round out the backfield, while Rockeed McCarter (19 receptions, 15.8 yards per catch, six TDs) and Williams (13 catches, 14.5 yards per reception, two TDs) act as the top options in the passing game. Yancey is versatile as a receiver, having caught 19 passes for 226 yards and three TDs.

JMU's defense didn't allow a play over 15 yards rushing in the first meeting with the Wildcats, and the Dukes have specialized in limiting opponents' running games (136 yards per game). But JMU is likely to see a more balanced attack from the Wildcats this time and must find a way to combat the misdirection plays that hurt it in the first game with Villanova and against Wofford last week.

The Duke defense is spearheaded by a strong tandem along the defensive front, as Sam Daniels (12 tackles for loss, six sacks) mans a spot at defensive tackle while Arthur Moats (10. 5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks) is the team's top pass- rusher at defensive end. Buck Buchanan Award candidate Marcus Haywood leads the defense with 91 tackles and four interceptions from his free safety position.

The first two times CAA teams met twice in the same season (2004), the teams that had lost the first game came back to win the second contest (William & Mary in double-overtime against Delaware and JMU over William & Mary). Massachusetts broke that string in 2006 with two wins over New Hampshire, but rematches in the playoffs have gone overwhelmingly to the loser of the first game.

It will come down to a battle of wills, as Villanova's 11th-ranked rush defense (225 yards per game) will need to find a way to stop the nation's fourth-best rushing offense (284 yards per game) again to end the Dukes' 11-game winning streak.

Villanova 24, James Madison 21

No. 12 Weber State (10-3) at No. 5 Montana (12-1), 2:05 p.m.

You have to go all the way back to 1987 to find Weber State's last win over Montana in Missoula, as the Wildcats scored a 29-26 triumph over the Grizzlies. The Wildcats went on to tie Idaho for the league's top spot, though Big Sky Conference rules at the time gave Idaho the title, because of a 41-38 regular-season win against WSU.

But the Wildcats earned revenge, scoring a 59-30 win at Idaho in the first round of the playoffs. Weber State hopes the trend will be reversed in 2008, as the Wildcats look to become just the second team in Big Sky history to knock off Montana in the same season. The only the other school to accomplish that feat was Idaho, which defeated the Grizzlies twice in the postseason (1982 and 1988).

In the regular-season meeting in Ogden, UT. (Oct. 4), Weber State scored a resounding 45-28 win over Montana on a rain-soaked day to end a nine-game losing streak to the Grizzlies.

A versatile offense that averaged 429 yards per game (237 yards passing, 192 yards rushing), is led by quarterback and Payton Award candidate Cameron Higgins (286-of-425 passing, 4,207 yards, 36 TDs, 12 interceptions, 172.8 passing efficiency rating). Higgins connected on 21-of-30 throws for 237 yards, with four TDs and an interception in the win over the Grizzlies. Though Higgins has played a major role in one of the country's top offenses (fifth in FCS) this season, he's not alone in an offense that puts up an average of 461 yards per game.

The most versatile running back in the Big Sky over the past three seasons has been Trevyn Smith (1,228 yards, 17 TDs). He has not only led the Big Sky in rushing the past three years, he has been one of Higgins' favorite targets in the passing game (55 catches, 11.8 average, seven TDs). Smith was hard for Montana's defense to account for in the initial meeting, rushing for a game- high 158 yards and a TD, while catching four passes for 54 yards and a score to expose the Grizzlies' young defense in both areas. Marcus Mailei is one of the top fullbacks as a lead-blocker for Smith.

Not only do the Grizzlies have to account for Higgins and Smith, they also must deal with one of the best receiving corps' in the FCS. Leading the charge is wide receiver Tim Toone (77 catches, 18.6 average, 1,429 yards, seven TDs), who had a field day in WSU's 49-35 win at Cal Poly last week. Toone was able to haul in 10 passes for 199 yards and a TD for one of his best individual performances of the season.

Cody Nakamura (46 catches, 15.6 yards per catch, 716 yards, 10 TDs) is one of the nation's elite tight ends and like Toone, he was able to take advantage of a suspect Cal Poly secondary in last week's road triumph, catching passes for 34 yards and a TD. Nakamura also turned in a solid effort in the first meeting with Montana, catching three passes for 35 yards.

Mike Phillips (36 catches, 19.2 average, six TDs) and Bryant Eteuati (44 catches, 11.1 average, five TDs) are two other receiving options. Eteuati is also one the best returnmen in the country and sparked Weber State to a 28- point second-period outburst with a long kickoff return after the Wildcats had fallen behind 21-10. Eteuati averages 12.1 per punt return (17th in FCS) and 23.3 on kickoff returns, even though opposing teams try to play keep-away from him.

A major story of the first encounter between the Wildcats and Grizzlies was the play of the Weber State defense, especially in the second half. WSU sacked Montana signal-caller Cole Bergquist six times in the second half alone and seven times overall. Leading that staunch Weber State pass-rush is Kyle Linehan (72 tackles, 10.5 sacks).

Weber State's defense is buoyed by its secondary, which was able to contain Cal Poly's Ramses Barden for the most part in last week's win, holding the Payton Award candidate to six catches, 108 yards and two TDs. Cornerback Josh Morris was the primary coverman against the talented Barden. The rest of the Mustangs' passing game was rendered ineffective, holding the Mustangs to just 185 yards passing. The secondary is anchored by safety Beau Hadley (115 tackles, four interceptions) and Scott Goodloe (52 tackles, five interceptions), who had a fumble recovery in the first meeting.

No. 4 seeded Montana, which has won eight-straight games since its only loss of the season, is led by senior quarterback Cole Bergquist (2,634 yards, 25 TDs, seven interceptions). Bergquist struggled in the first meeting between the two clubs, completing 14-of-26 passes for 273 yards, with two TDs and two interceptions.

Bergquist's most-reliable options through the air have been Marc Mariani (57 receptions, 18.6 average, 1,058 yards, 10 TDs) and Mike Ferriter (45 catches, 787 yards, nine TDs, 17.5 average). Montana's running game was still gaining its footing when the teams first met back in early October. Since then, the Grizzlies have been paced on the ground by Chase Reynolds (1,228 yards, 17 TDs), and have fielded a successful ground game (176 yards per game). Reynolds was limited to 30 yards on 13 carries with one TD in the first game. Overall, the Grizzlies field an offense that averages 405 yards per game, 20th in FCS.

Montana brings an impressive defense into the rematch with the Wildcats (17 points per game, eighth in FCS in scoring defense). Leading the charge up front are defensive ends Jace Palmer (37 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks) and Mike Stadnyk (50 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks), while Tyler Corwin (87 tackles) is the team's top tackler. Buck Buchanan Award candidate Colt Anderson leads the Grizzlies in tackles, with 94 stops from his strong safety position. He has also produced five tackles for loss and intercepted two passes.

The Grizzlies have allowed just 68 points total and an average of 121 yards per game on the ground since losing to WSU and are 7-1 in quarterfinals in the past 16 years, losing only to McNeese State on the road in 2002, and are 23-6 all- time at home in postseason play.

Montana struggled early against Texas State in the first round of the playoffs, particularly on offense, but the Grizzlies persevered on defense to allow the team to recover from a 10-0 deficit for a 31-13 victory.

This game comes down to Montana's traditional dominance against Weber State's burgeoning confidence. The Grizzlies will need to keep the ball out of Higgins' hands with their running game and to ultimately score plenty of points. Montana must also avoid turnovers. Weber State has shown it can score, even against Montana's tough defense, but the Wildcats will need to play as well on both sides of the line as they did in the first win.

Weber State 35, Montana 28

No. 10 New Hampshire (10-2) at No.4 Northern Iowa (11-2), 7 p.m.

Northern Iowa saw its memorable 2007 season come to a screeching halt in the FCS quarterfinals, dropping its only decision of the campaign to CAA member and eventual finalist Delaware (39-27) at the UNI Dome.

The No. 3 seeded Panthers will meet their fourth-straight CAA opponent in the postseason when they face New Hampshire for the second-straight season and the third time in four seasons. UNI won the previous meetings by a combined six points, 38-35 in 2007 and 24-21 in 2005.

In the thrilling win over the Wildcats last season, the matchup featured two of the best signal-callers to ever play at the FCS level, in UNI's Eric Sanders and UNH's Ricky Santos. Santos drove New Hampshire to a 35-31 lead against the undefeated and top-seeded Panthers with 1:11 left, with Chad Kackert scoring on 15-yard run, but Sanders answered and hit Montari Leonard with the 24-yard game-winning touchdown pass with seven seconds remaining.

Unfortunately for both teams, the 2007 season was the swan song for these two decorated passers. But in 2008, a new generation of offensive firepower has guided each institution.

Leading that new quarterbacking era at Northern Iowa have been junior Pat Grace (1,562 yards, 12 TDs, six interceptions) and freshman Zach Davis.

Grace, who has battled a knee injury this season, returned to form in UNI's 40-15 stomping of CAA North Division member Maine. In the 25-point victory over the Black Bears, Grace connected on 15-of-24 passes for 229 yards, tossing two TDs and an interception.

Davis was named the first-team quarterback on the Missouri Valley Conference all-newcomer's squad this week. He passed for 496 yards and three TDs and rushed for 51 yards in subbing for Grace several times.

Despite being without top receivers Johnny Gray and Victor Williams (both were dismissed for arrests on drug charges), Grace had little trouble finding true freshman speedster Jared Herring (nine receptions, 24.1 yards per catch, three TDs), who caught three passes for 102 yards and two TDs. Josh Collins (23 receptions, 17.7 yards per catch, one TD) has been the Panthers' top receiver since the departure of Gray and Williams.

UNI, which averages 164 yards per game through the air, relies heavily on a ground game that churns out an average of 199 yards per game. Corey Lewis (1,197 yards, 10 TDs) spearheads the rushing attack, while being complemented by Derrick Law (711 yards, nine TDs). In last season's matchup with UNH, Lewis rushed for 220 yards and three TDs, leading a UNI offense that totaled 256 of its 570 total yards on the ground. Lewis, who has rushed for 3,886 yards in his career, became the school's all-time leading rusher with his 75-yard, one TD effort in last week's win.

The Panther defense has been nothing less than spectacular in the past three weeks, posting back-to-back shutouts and limiting Maine to just 15 points in the first round. UNI ranks sixth nationally in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 16 points per game.

Northern Iowa sports a plus-18 in turnover margin, paced by a solid linebacking corps that includes three of the team's top four tacklers, sparked by Josh Mahoney (116 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, one interception). Jamar Thompson (83 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions) and De'Veon Harris (89 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions) round out the talented trio.

Defensive end James Ruffin (57 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, eight sacks) was named the MVFC defensive player of the year and unsung Mark Huygens is one of the top defensive tackles in the FCS ranks.

Darrel Lloyd (83 tackles, two interceptions) and Terrell McMoore (52 tackles, four interceptions) were two of the MVFC's top cover-corners in 2008, and they lead a pass defense that yields an average of 194 yards per game.

New Hampshire quarterback R.J. Toman (2,867 yards, 27 TDs, 11 interceptions) guides a Wildcats' passing game that averages 243 yards per game through the air. He has two of the top remaining pass-catchers of the eight teams remaining in the playoff field. Wide receiver Mike Boyle (63 receptions, 1,057 yards, 16.8 yards per catch, 10 TDs) and tight end Scott Sicko (44 catches, 574 yards, 13.0 yards per catch, seven TDs) represent the big-play targets for Toman. Robert Simpson (722 yards, six TDs) and Kackert (1,177 all-purpose yards, six TDs) power a running game that averages 166 yards on the ground.

Defensively, the Wildcats are nearly as opportunistic as the Panthers, sporting a plus-17 turnover margin this season. The defense which surrenders just 135 yards per outing on the ground is paced by All-CAA linebacker Matt Parent (93 tackles, two interceptions, one interception return for a TD) and defensive back John Clements (81 tackles, two interceptions). Cornerback Dino Vasso is the defensive leader in both tackles (113) and interceptions (five).

In games against common opponents, UNI has a blowout win against a team (Maine) that New Hampshire struggled to beat, 28-24, in the regular-season finale, while UNH has a road victory over a foe (Southern Illinois) that UNI lost to away from home early in the season on a last-second field goal, 27-24.

An R.J. Toman-Pat Grace matchup might lack the glamour that its predecessors garnered in the last two postseason meetings, however, both offenses can still put up points. This game is more about defense in 2008, and UNI's strength on that side of the ball should prove to be the ultimate difference in the third playoff encounter between the two institutions.

Northern Iowa 28, New Hampshire 17

No. 7 Richmond (10-3) at No. 2 Appalachian State (11-2), 12 p.m.

In two of the past three seasons, Richmond's season has met its end at the hands of a team from the Southern Conference. The Spiders will look to avoid that trend when they meet three-time defending national champion Appalachian State for the second-straight postseason, only this time's battle occurs in the quarterfinals.

Appalachian State toppled Richmond 55-35 in last year's semifinals, turning in a spectacular offensive show.

Aside from the fact Richmond and Appalachian State are meeting less than a year later, there is much more shared between the two teams entering the 2008 encounter than the obvious. The Spiders and the Mountaineers represent two of just five teams that have made quarterfinal appearances the past four seasons.

The two also share a pair of common opponents, Elon and James Madison, both going 1-1 on the season in their respective meetings with the two schools. ASU lost 35-32 to JMU in September, but beat Elon 24-16 In November. Richmond dropped a heartbreaking 38-31 decision to James Madison in the middle of the year, but defeated Elon 28-10 in the season-opener.

ASU and Richmond have met six times since the 1974 season, with the Mountaineers holding a 4-2 lead in the all-time series edge. Appalachian State holds a 3-0 advantage in the FCS postseason and hasn't suffered defeat at the hands of the Spiders since the 1978 season.

The Mountaineers have also won 41 of the past 42 games since 2003 at Kidd Brewer Stadium and have captured an FCS record 13 consecutive postseason wins.

Like the 2007 encounter between the two squads, Richmond brings an offense that favors the run (185 yards per game), but sports more balance than some of the previous Dave Clawson-led Richmond clubs. The Spiders, who were led by one of the nation's leading rushers Tim Hightower last year (1,924 yards), are now paced by another of the nation's best runners, Josh Vaughan (1,503 yards, 16 TDs).

Last season, Appalachian was able to hold Hightower 44 yards under his 141- yards-per-game average entering the semifinal contest. It was quarterback Eric Ward (2,311 yards, 14 TDs, seven interceptions) and wide receiver Kevin Grayson (51 catches, 14.3 yards per catch, 729 yards, two TDs) that provided the biggest challenge to the ASU defense. Grayson put together the best receiving performance of his 2007 CAA Freshman of the Year campaign, hauling in seven Ward passes for a then career-high 122 yards and two TDs in Richmond's semifinal loss to the Mountaineers.

Meanwhile, Ward recorded his one of his best career performances, passing for 208 yards, two TDs and an interception, while also rushing for 79 yards and a TD in the loss to Appalachian. Ward was named national player of the week after leading the Spiders to a 28-10 season-opening win at common opponent and 15th- ranked Elon. Ward connected on 17-of-22 throws for 236 yards and two TDs to lead the Spiders to the road win.

While Grayson has acted as more of a possession receiver this fall, Tre Gray (45 receptions, 13.1 yards per catch, 602 yards, four TDs) has been a solid compliment, both as a possession-type receiver and a deep threat in the Richmond passing game.

Defensively, the Spiders bring the nation's fifth-ranked defense (251 yards per game) into Kidd Brewer Stadium. The Richmond defense, which returned eight starters from the 2007 unit, has held six-straight opponents to less than 100 yards rushing. Appalachian hasn't been limited to 100 yards on the ground, since LSU allowed the Mountaineers to just 52 yards in the season opener.

Powering the Richmond defense in 2008 has been an outstanding defensive line, anchored by two of the nation's top defensive ends, Sherman Logan (12 tackles for loss, six sacks) and Lawrence Sidbury Jr. (16 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks).Both were forced to miss last season's semifinal encounter with the Mountaineers due to injuries.

Richmond also boasts one of the CAA's and nation's premier group of linebackers, led by Colin McConaghy (54 tackles) and Eric McBride (85 tackles, six tackles for loss, two sacks). McConaghy missed the past two games with an elbow injury, but is expected to return the lineup against ASU.

As strong as Richmond's front seven has been this season, its secondary has helped the defense put together a record-setting season, recording a school- record 23 interceptions. Eight different Spiders have interceptions, led by cornerback Justin Rodgers (41 tackles, six interceptions) and safety Derek Hatcher (64 tackles, five tackles for loss, four interceptions).

Like his counterpart Ward, Edwards (2,579 yards, 29 TDs, four interceptions, 938 rushing yards, 10 TDs) is coming off a career-best passing performance, setting a school record by throwing for 433 yards, four TDs and two interceptions in the 37-21 win over South Carolina State. It was Edwards who set an all divisions record for rushing yards for a quarterback in last season's win over Richmond, running for 313 yards and four TDs. He accounted for seven TDs in the semifinal meeting, including completing 14-of-16 passes for 182 yards and three TDs, to finish the night with 495 yards of total offense. Edwards was named one of the three finalists for the Walter Payton Award this week and is the nation's leader in passing efficiency.

While Edwards is still the team's leading rusher, the Mountaineers biggest offensive question entering the 2008 campaign was how to replace the school's all-time leading rusher, Kevin Richardson. ASU, which saw starter Devon Moore go down with a season-ending injury against James Madison, has been relied on the legs of both Robert Welton (536 yards, 11 TDs) and Devon Radford (509 yards, four TDs) for a majority of the season.

The top options in the passing game for ASU continue to be receivers CoCo Hillary (46 catches, 13.9 average, five TDs) and Brian Quick (17 receptions, 23.6 average, seven TDs), while Ben Jorden (24 grabs, 17.2 yards per catch, 413 yards, five TDs) has emerged as one of the nation's top tight ends in the nation as a redshirt freshman. The trio combined with Edwards to account for all four passing scores in last week's first-round win.

The cornerstone of success for Appalachian State's defense in 2008 has been a veteran corps of linebackers, with Southern Conference defensive player of the year Jacque Roman (113 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries, two sacks, two interceptions), Pierre Banks (79 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks, 11 pass break-ups) and D.J. Smith (109 tackles, six tackles for loss) leading the way.

The Mountaineer secondary has been able to reload with the nation's leader in interceptions, Mark LeGree (10 interceptions) at safety. Cortez Gilbert (66 tackles, 16 pass break-ups, two interceptions) will likely draw the assignment of covering Grayson, and has been one of the country's elite cover-corners in 2008.

A year ago ASU burned Richmond with its superior speed and while the Spiders are better defensively, they still trail the Mountaineers in terms of talent and would need a near-perfect game to derail the three-time champs.

Appalachian State 38, Richmond 24

SATURDAY'S GRIDIRON CLASSIC

Jacksonville (9-3) vs. Albany (8-3), 1:30 p.m.

The third annual Gridiron Classic pits Pioneer Football League champion Jacksonville against Northeast Conference title winner Albany. Jacksonville has provided one of the best turnaround stories in college football this season, emerging from a 3-8 finish last season to complete the campaign 9-3 and garner a title game berth with its school-record seventh consecutive win over Dayton a couple of weeks ago.

Albany rides on the shoulders of star running back David McCarty (1,581 yards, third best in FCS, nine TDs) to earn its second consecutive berth in the Gridiron Classic. McCarty is the all-time leading rusher at Albany, has scored touchdowns in 19 consecutive games and has 100 or more yards in 16 of his past 17 games. The Great Danes have averaged 190 yards per game on the ground, 22nd in FCS.

Signal-caller Vinny Esposito (1,793 yards, 13 TDs, eight interceptions) has shown the ability to make the big play in the passing game. Esposito's favorite receiver has been Tim Bush (58 receptions, five TDs, 12.2 yards per catch).

The Albany defense has been strongest against the against the run (122 yards per game, 34th in FCS). The Great Danes rank 22nd nationally in total defense (307 yards per game), and have allowed just 19.8 points per game (22nd). The ringleader on defense for Albany has been junior linebacker Justin Brancaccio (83 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss), while free safety Dave Casale (six interceptions, one interception return for a score) anchors the secondary.

The Great Danes challenged themselves with a tough non-conference schedule, losing to UMass, New Hampshire and Delaware in competitive performances, while beating Hofstra in overtime.

Jacksonville's offense has been powered by freshman quarterback Josh McGregor (2,331 yards, 24 TDs, 10 interceptions) and first-team All-PFL running back Ruddell Small (1.318 yards, 13 TDs). Geavon Tribble (33 catches, 19.7 yards per catch, 651 yards, six TDs) is McGregor's most sought option in the passing game, and he completes a balanced attack that averages 238 yards through the air and another 158 yards on the ground.

The Dolphins have scored an average of 33.4 points per game and are piling up yardage at a 396-yard-per-game clip. Jacksonville's schedule included wins over traditional PFL powers Dayton and San Diego and an early-season loss to three- time defending national champion Appalachian State.

The Dolphins rank 21st in FCS in total defense (307 yards per game) and are buoyed junior safety Jason Wood (78 tackles), while defensive end Shaun Lewis (20 tackles for loss, nine sacks) leads a strong pass rush.

Jacksonville has won seven games in a row since starting the year at 2-3, with its defense allowing just 14.4 points per game during that run and holding five of those opponents to nine points or less.

The game features two Eddie Robinson Award candidates as coaches, veteran Bob Ford of Albany and Kerwin Bell of Jacksonville. Ford leads all active FCS coaches with 233 career wins.

It's been a magical season for Jacksonville, Albany's tough early-season slate, home-field advantage and run defense should help the Great Danes get their first-ever Gridiron Classic win.

Albany 17, Jacksonville 14