UAlbany football's Neven Sussman learning on the job
Sophomore QB cuts down on mistakes for undefeated Great Danes
By Mark Singelais
Published 9:26 pm, Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Richmond football coach Danny Rocco said he's watched video of University at Albany sophomore quarterback
Neven Sussman this season and doesn't even recognize the player who made his first career start against the Spiders last year.
Sussman threw four interceptions in that game — all to Richmond All-American safety
David Jones — although he did rally the Great Danes late in a 38-31 loss.
"He doesn't even look like the same guy," Rocco said. "I had to keep asking my defensive staff, 'Is this the same guy? Is this the same guy? He's got the same number (10) on. Is this the same guy?' I just see a lot of development."
Hearing those comments, UAlbany head coach Greg Gattuso, a former teammate of Rocco at Penn State, wondered if his old friend might be building up his opponent before the 16th-ranked Great Danes (4-0) take on No. 6 Richmond (4-1) in a
Colonial Athletic Association showdown on Saturday afternoon at Casey Stadium.
"I think
Coach Rocco is playing a little coachspeak, too," Gattuso said. "But I think (Sussman) has definitely improved and we're pleased with where he's at right now. He's picking up more of the burden each week and he's going to have a big burden this week. That's what the great quarterbacks do."
Sussman, a native of Sandy Spring, Md., is still climbing a learning curve as he tries to reach the level of Richmond quarterback
Kyle Lauletta, a fourth-year junior named the CAA Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. Lauletta ranks second nationally in the Football Championship Subdivsion with 1,504 passing yards and is tied for sixth with 13 touchdown passes.
While Lauletta is called upon to win games for Richmond, Sussman is asked mainly to not make the kind of youthful mistakes that could cost his team a victory. So far, so good in UAlbany's surprising start.
"I've just been doing my job, staying in the system and doing what my coaches ask of me," Sussman said. "It's been coming along well, so far."
Sussman has a passer efficiency rating of 133.2 this season, about twice the 66.41 he put up last year. He has thrown only two interceptions through four games after being picked off eight times in limited duty a year ago. His completion percentage of 54.4 percent is up from 40 percent in 2015.
He's also thrown five touchdown passes — he only had two last season — to give the Great Danes a viable threat to complement the hard running of Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks, the nation's fourth-leading rusher.
"When they (Richmond) play, they have a kid that's been in their system for four years," Gattuso said. "He's very good. They can gamble, take big chances. We're more conservative because we're trying to bring a young guy along. Hopefully, we can get to the point where our quarterback is capable of that. He's certainly on his track to get there. It's just a matter of when."
Gattuso said he thinks a quarterback typically comes into his own in this third season. He decided to play Sussman last year instead of redshirting him as a freshman because he thought the experience would benefit Sussman in the long run.
"Yeah, it was great, much-needed," Sussman said. "I think it helped a lot and especially now I'm really comfortable when I'm on the field."
Not without a few hiccups. Gattuso benched Sussman in favor of redshirt junior DJ Crook in the second half against Rhode Island when he had an interception and lost a fumble. But Gattuso said he never considered making a permanent change.
"The best guy should be playing, and if I'm not doing what I need to do and helping the team,
Coach Gattuso said that's going to happen," Sussman said. "It's still a learning process and this is early in my career, so I've got to take everything in stride. Never too high, never too low."
Sussman rebounded to throw two long touchdown passes to Zee Roberson in a victory over Holy Cross. Then he connected with
Jordan Crockett for a 13-yard go-ahead score in the fourth quarter against Saint Francis.
"The throw to Crockett for the touchdown was spectactular, the timing," Gattuso said. "If you watch that play, (Sussman) throws it before (Crockett) even comes out of his break. That's what the great ones do."
