7.5 point home dog to the Albany Great Danes. Can we finally put all 3 phases together and get some momentum going?
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Albany
- Thread starter MolivaManiac
- Start date
Fordham is an 18.5 dog to Yale in New Haven although it’s an easy BUS ride from the Bronx which may help.
enjoyed the Q&A with English and Wheeler...hoping to see more progress from English Saturday and another big game from Wheeler...
regardless of the circumstances it's likely these two will play a significant role in rebuilding the program...
Go Spiders!
Andrew Tsangeos, ex-QB from California, looked nationwide for proper fit, found it as UR tight end
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UR redshirt junior Andrew Tsangeos never played tight end before becoming a Spider. “The first year, it wasn’t pretty,” he said.
Andrew Tsangeos
He wanted to participate on Saturdays, not observe in uniform from the sidelines, which explains why Andrew Tsangeos is nearly 3,000 miles from home at the University of Richmond, starting at tight end, a position he never played before becoming a Spider.
Tsangeos (tuh-SANG-us), a redshirt junior, considered options much, much closer to his home in Pasadena, Calif. None felt right for a prolific dual-threat quarterback who highly values the “student” half of the student-athlete experience, and wanted to make sure the “athlete” half included game-day input.
“I had friends who played at California schools, USC, UCLA, Cal, and they ended up playing only a couple of plays in their career,” said Tsangeos. “To me, it was really important not only to be a part of a team, but to actually play in a program.
“If I was going to put in all the hard work, I wanted to see the field.”
He searched throughout the U.S. for the right fit. His mother, Ann Tsangeos, is originally from Washington, and he has relatives living along the East Coast, where he had visited. And one of Tsangeos’ coaches at California’s Flintridge Prep played for the New York Giants at the same time former Spiders’ assistant and Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim was a Giant. Tsangeos was advised that UR offered a quality education and a level of football competition that suited his ability.
“It was very important to me to go to a school with good academic standards,” said Tsangeos, an aspiring accountant who intends to work in New York following next season. “I didn’t mind going far away from home. That didn’t bother me.”
Richmond’s staff, while Danny Rocco was coach, invited Tsangeos to UR after evaluating him at a camp in the Mid-Atlantic region. Then came the determination of Tsangeos’ position. He was a three-year starter at quarterback at Flintridge Prep, passing for more than 4,200 yards and 43 touchdowns, with more than 2,000 rushing yards. He also played safety and some defensive end.
At Richmond, the 6-foot-2 Tsangeos gained about 25 pounds – he now weighs 225 – and settled in at tight end.
“It was slow process,” Tsangeos said. “Pass-catching came naturally to me. That wasn’t difficult. But blocking was definitely a huge adjustment, especially learning footwork, hand placement, (helmet) placement, stuff like that.
“The first year, it wasn’t pretty.”
He played in seven games (special teams) in 2017, in 10 games with one start last season (eight receptions for 90 yards), and this year is UR’s top tight end (two receptions for 22 yards). Tsangeos made a brief return to his high-school QB roots, completing a pass for 24 yards against Elon. The Spiders (1-3, 0-1 CAA) meet Albany (3-2, 1-0 CAA) at Robins Stadium Saturday.
“It would have been very cool to play at UCLA. That was my childhood dream school and I live really close to the Rose Bowl, so I grew up going to those games,” said Tsangeos. “But I didn’t just want to be a spectator. I didn’t just want to be a guy on a team.
“I wanted to be able to tell my kids, ‘I played college football.'"
- BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
- 32 min ago
1 of 2
UR redshirt junior Andrew Tsangeos never played tight end before becoming a Spider. “The first year, it wasn’t pretty,” he said.
- UR ATHLETICS
Andrew Tsangeos
He wanted to participate on Saturdays, not observe in uniform from the sidelines, which explains why Andrew Tsangeos is nearly 3,000 miles from home at the University of Richmond, starting at tight end, a position he never played before becoming a Spider.
Tsangeos (tuh-SANG-us), a redshirt junior, considered options much, much closer to his home in Pasadena, Calif. None felt right for a prolific dual-threat quarterback who highly values the “student” half of the student-athlete experience, and wanted to make sure the “athlete” half included game-day input.
“I had friends who played at California schools, USC, UCLA, Cal, and they ended up playing only a couple of plays in their career,” said Tsangeos. “To me, it was really important not only to be a part of a team, but to actually play in a program.
“If I was going to put in all the hard work, I wanted to see the field.”
He searched throughout the U.S. for the right fit. His mother, Ann Tsangeos, is originally from Washington, and he has relatives living along the East Coast, where he had visited. And one of Tsangeos’ coaches at California’s Flintridge Prep played for the New York Giants at the same time former Spiders’ assistant and Virginia linebacker Clint Sintim was a Giant. Tsangeos was advised that UR offered a quality education and a level of football competition that suited his ability.
“It was very important to me to go to a school with good academic standards,” said Tsangeos, an aspiring accountant who intends to work in New York following next season. “I didn’t mind going far away from home. That didn’t bother me.”
Richmond’s staff, while Danny Rocco was coach, invited Tsangeos to UR after evaluating him at a camp in the Mid-Atlantic region. Then came the determination of Tsangeos’ position. He was a three-year starter at quarterback at Flintridge Prep, passing for more than 4,200 yards and 43 touchdowns, with more than 2,000 rushing yards. He also played safety and some defensive end.
At Richmond, the 6-foot-2 Tsangeos gained about 25 pounds – he now weighs 225 – and settled in at tight end.
“It was slow process,” Tsangeos said. “Pass-catching came naturally to me. That wasn’t difficult. But blocking was definitely a huge adjustment, especially learning footwork, hand placement, (helmet) placement, stuff like that.
“The first year, it wasn’t pretty.”
He played in seven games (special teams) in 2017, in 10 games with one start last season (eight receptions for 90 yards), and this year is UR’s top tight end (two receptions for 22 yards). Tsangeos made a brief return to his high-school QB roots, completing a pass for 24 yards against Elon. The Spiders (1-3, 0-1 CAA) meet Albany (3-2, 1-0 CAA) at Robins Stadium Saturday.
“It would have been very cool to play at UCLA. That was my childhood dream school and I live really close to the Rose Bowl, so I grew up going to those games,” said Tsangeos. “But I didn’t just want to be a spectator. I didn’t just want to be a guy on a team.
“I wanted to be able to tell my kids, ‘I played college football.'"
Closed my eyes and thought Wheeler was Dick Butkus speaking.
We’ve had some pretty good LBs over the years but Wheeler,assuming he stays healthy,could be among the best.This kid is barely 18 yo.
FYI, and I know that you know this, he was one of 27 FR and SOPH on last week's 2 deep. Typical is closer to the mid teens.
I agree. It makes his disappearance in the Elon game hard to understand. Benched? Injured?
Those FR and SOPH numbers a huge when you consider these guys have not really put on their weigh as yet.
Just listened to replay of Russ' show today and he mentioned we are down to 4 LBs, all freshman excepting Wheeler are out rest or at best most for year. I think he said RFr was gone also. I had wondered why in the two deep, a starter was also the backup at other LB spots and had thought it was ability, sounded like it could be a no choice issue for right now.
I didnt listen to the show but this is my beef with the roster management. We have been lamenting the roster size for the last couple of years. 82 players just will not cut it. We are only a 3rd of the way into the season and we are down to 4 'backers...very poor.
In Search Of Momentum, Richmond Is Set To Host UAlbany
View Full 2019 UAlbany vs Richmond Coverage
Oct 3, 2019Kyle Kensing
After a successful September, UAlbany opens its month of October with a trip to Richmond, where the Spiders are still looking to gain some traction.
Who: UAlbany (3-2, 1-0) at Richmond (1-3, 0-1)
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m. ET
Where: Robins Stadium; Richmond, Virginia
Watch: LIVE on FloFootball
Coming into the 2019 season, UAlbany had no players tabbed for 1st Team All-Colonial Athletic Association.
That’s especially noteworthy on offense, as the Great Danes rank No. 24 in the nation in points per game at 35.2; have Juwan Green, the country’s No. 14-ranked receiver in terms of yardage at 437, and tied for second with seven touchdown catches; and running back Karl Mofor, who's 10th in the FCS with 497 yards rushing.
UAlbany has already defied plenty of expectations. A win in Week 6 at Richmond would give the Great Danes their first 2-0 start in conference play since joining the CAA in 2013. Beating the Spiders would also give UAlbany its first back-to-back CAA wins in the same season since 2016.
As for Richmond, it returns home to Robins Stadium for the first time in almost a month. The Spiders were last here on Sept. 14 for their CAA opener, a 42-20 loss to Elon.
After dropping a 23-16 heartbreaker last week at Fordham, the Spiders seek to get back on track with their first win since Aug. 29.
Backfield Disruptions
Limiting the prolific UAlbany passing attack starts with a solid pass rush, and Richmond has perhaps the most talented pass-rusher in the nation in Maurice Jackson. However, Richmond has been limited in its ability to get to opposing quarterbacks, with just four sacks at four; Jackson is responsible for half of that number.
Meanwhile, UAlbany quarterback Jeff Undercuffler has operated from a well-protected pocket. The Great Danes have given up just six sacks in five games. The protection also translates to the running game, as UAlbany ranks 29th in the nation with 20 tackles for loss allowed.
Although sacks have come at a premium for Richmond, the Spiders are getting into the backfield for 23 tackles for loss. Limiting Mofor and Alex James on the ground by getting behind the line of scrimmage could be key to create possible turnover-generating situations.
Richmond has only two turnovers gained on the season, and no interceptions.
Quarterback Questions
Undercuffler won UAlbany’s starting job ahead of Week 1 and has locked down the position nicely. At Richmond, a quarterback question looms heading into Week 6.
Beau English made his second career start last week against Fordham with Joe Mancuso scratched from the lineup. English threw for 298 yards and a touchdown but was also intercepted twice.
“Beau was solid. He did some good things. He made some mistakes, like most quarterbacks who hadn’t played a lot,” said Spiders coach Russ Huesman. “He made some big throws, possibly could have had some more.”
Some of those opportunities for more came on Richmond’s final drive with an opportunity to send the game to overtime. The Spiders were unsuccessful on a few last shots at the end zone.
A decision for a Week 6 starter looms.
“Joe is healthy now. We’ll go through the week and see performs the best in practice, and make a decision as we get to the game,” Huesman said.
This makes a second consecutive week in which UAlbany has had to face an opponent with a fluid quarterback situation. In Week 5, William & Mary played both explosive runner Hollis Mathis and more traditional passing quarterback Kilton Anderson.
Both made some key plays – Mathis broke off a long run for a touchdown, and Anderson threw a touchdown late that gave the Tribe a shot at tying the game – but the Great Danes defense also forced two turnovers from each.
Mencer & Metheny
No, this isn’t the name of a law office. The duo of Levi Metheny and Eli Mencer aren’t chasing down court cases, but they are in hot pursuit of the football.
Linebacker Metheny is UAlbany’s tackling leader with 47, and he’s picked off three passes on the season. Defensive back Mencer has been equally busy with a team-high 6.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a remarkable three forced fumbles; that’s tied for most in the nation.
Turnover creation has been central to UAlbany’s success, particularly in the CAA-opening win over William & Mary. Mencer & Metheny are the Great Danes’ firm for takeaways.
View Full 2019 UAlbany vs Richmond Coverage
Oct 3, 2019Kyle Kensing
After a successful September, UAlbany opens its month of October with a trip to Richmond, where the Spiders are still looking to gain some traction.
Who: UAlbany (3-2, 1-0) at Richmond (1-3, 0-1)
When: Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m. ET
Where: Robins Stadium; Richmond, Virginia
Watch: LIVE on FloFootball
Coming into the 2019 season, UAlbany had no players tabbed for 1st Team All-Colonial Athletic Association.
That’s especially noteworthy on offense, as the Great Danes rank No. 24 in the nation in points per game at 35.2; have Juwan Green, the country’s No. 14-ranked receiver in terms of yardage at 437, and tied for second with seven touchdown catches; and running back Karl Mofor, who's 10th in the FCS with 497 yards rushing.
UAlbany has already defied plenty of expectations. A win in Week 6 at Richmond would give the Great Danes their first 2-0 start in conference play since joining the CAA in 2013. Beating the Spiders would also give UAlbany its first back-to-back CAA wins in the same season since 2016.
As for Richmond, it returns home to Robins Stadium for the first time in almost a month. The Spiders were last here on Sept. 14 for their CAA opener, a 42-20 loss to Elon.
After dropping a 23-16 heartbreaker last week at Fordham, the Spiders seek to get back on track with their first win since Aug. 29.
Backfield Disruptions
Limiting the prolific UAlbany passing attack starts with a solid pass rush, and Richmond has perhaps the most talented pass-rusher in the nation in Maurice Jackson. However, Richmond has been limited in its ability to get to opposing quarterbacks, with just four sacks at four; Jackson is responsible for half of that number.
Meanwhile, UAlbany quarterback Jeff Undercuffler has operated from a well-protected pocket. The Great Danes have given up just six sacks in five games. The protection also translates to the running game, as UAlbany ranks 29th in the nation with 20 tackles for loss allowed.
Although sacks have come at a premium for Richmond, the Spiders are getting into the backfield for 23 tackles for loss. Limiting Mofor and Alex James on the ground by getting behind the line of scrimmage could be key to create possible turnover-generating situations.
Richmond has only two turnovers gained on the season, and no interceptions.
Quarterback Questions
Undercuffler won UAlbany’s starting job ahead of Week 1 and has locked down the position nicely. At Richmond, a quarterback question looms heading into Week 6.
Beau English made his second career start last week against Fordham with Joe Mancuso scratched from the lineup. English threw for 298 yards and a touchdown but was also intercepted twice.
“Beau was solid. He did some good things. He made some mistakes, like most quarterbacks who hadn’t played a lot,” said Spiders coach Russ Huesman. “He made some big throws, possibly could have had some more.”
Some of those opportunities for more came on Richmond’s final drive with an opportunity to send the game to overtime. The Spiders were unsuccessful on a few last shots at the end zone.
A decision for a Week 6 starter looms.
“Joe is healthy now. We’ll go through the week and see performs the best in practice, and make a decision as we get to the game,” Huesman said.
This makes a second consecutive week in which UAlbany has had to face an opponent with a fluid quarterback situation. In Week 5, William & Mary played both explosive runner Hollis Mathis and more traditional passing quarterback Kilton Anderson.
Both made some key plays – Mathis broke off a long run for a touchdown, and Anderson threw a touchdown late that gave the Tribe a shot at tying the game – but the Great Danes defense also forced two turnovers from each.
Mencer & Metheny
No, this isn’t the name of a law office. The duo of Levi Metheny and Eli Mencer aren’t chasing down court cases, but they are in hot pursuit of the football.
Linebacker Metheny is UAlbany’s tackling leader with 47, and he’s picked off three passes on the season. Defensive back Mencer has been equally busy with a team-high 6.5 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a remarkable three forced fumbles; that’s tied for most in the nation.
Turnover creation has been central to UAlbany’s success, particularly in the CAA-opening win over William & Mary. Mencer & Metheny are the Great Danes’ firm for takeaways.
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Looks like Wheeler and Dressler started at LB v Fordham.
Billy Caughell played also.
2 of frosh havent played this season.O’Connor and Holmes.Neck,shoulder/2x hip operation labrum.
The kid from Illini,Marchese,got hurt v Elon and did not play.
Payne started and played as a hybrid.
Marshall mentioned but not clear of status.If he’s physically ready,he should play.
How could a kid at 6-5,238 at TE not be playing.I don’t get it.
TIGHT END 6'5" 238 LBS
86
AVERY CLOSE
Avery and the 2 kids from Venice HS were the 3 frosh not included in the 6 week summer study.Hopefully,it was only a signal that those 3 were going to be redshirted,among others.Schenke is injured,in any case.
TIGHT END 6'5" 238 LBS
86
AVERY CLOSE
Avery and the 2 kids from Venice HS were the 3 frosh not included in the 6 week summer study.Hopefully,it was only a signal that those 3 were going to be redshirted,among others.Schenke is injured,in any case.
Waste field position all day. Durden sucks. Get some nads Russ and boot him
Why are we sticking with English? The running game clearly suffers when he is in there. Look what we did against BC with Mancuso. This offense is just terrible right now. Thank you defense and special teams for winning this game.
Run the clock. Up ten throwing getting penalties and now blow timeout. Huesman and staff are clueless
Credit to our guys for doing enough to win a CAA game. We needed that.
Spiders snap three-game losing streak with pass rush that pains Great Danes 23-20
- BY JOHN O'CONNOR Richmond Times-Dispatch
- 12 min ago
Richmond defensive tackle Kobie Turner sacked Albany quarterback Jeff Undercuffler during the first half Saturday at Robins Stadium.
DANIEL SANGJIB MIN/TIMES-DISPATCH
University of Richmond defensive end Maurice Jackson extended his hand and intercepted Albany’s screen pass, returning it 27 yards to the Great Danes’ 6.
Jackson’s second-quarter swipe set up a Spiders’ touchdown. His commanding presence was evident before that pivotal play in UR’s 23-20 victory Saturday at Robins Stadium.
Defensive-line dominance powered UR, which also relied on a simple offensive plan: the running of quarterback Beau English (20 carries for 31 yards) and the kicking of freshman Jake Larson, who provided field goals of 50, 48 and 26 yards. His 39-yard attempt in the fourth quarter was knocked down by the Great Danes, Larson’s first miss of the season (9-10).
Albany had allowed six sacks in five games. Richmond posted five in the first half, and finished with seven. The Great Danes were averaging 35 points.
Richmond (2-3, 1-1 CAA) has beaten Albany (3-3, 1-1 CAA) in all seven meetings, with each of the last three decided by three points. The Great Danes, who committed 16 penalties for 118 yards, joined the CAA in 2013 and was seeking its first 2-0 start in league play.
The Great Danes were averaging 35 points. Jackson, the CAA preseason defensive player of the year, had three sacks among four tackles for loss and caused a fumble before his first-half interception, which occurred with the Spiders leading 16-13. UR increased the momentum it was riding with a 23-13 lead by turning back Albany on a fourth-and-one blockade at midfield with two minutes left in the third quarter.
The Spiders recorded their seventh sack to take the Great Danes out of scoring position midway through the fourth quarter. Albany scored to cut UR’s lead to 23-20 with 2:47 left. The Danes’ on-side kick went out of bounds, and
UR had lost three straight, and as the week started, coach Russ Huesman was publicly asking for a ball to bounce the Spiders’ way. It didn’t, early. On third-and-nine late in the first quarter, Albany quarterback Jeff Undercuffler was surrounded by rushing Spiders. Jackson knocked it out of Undercuffler’s hands. The ball sat motionless on the synthetic grass behind Undercuffler as Richmond players continued to try to bring down the 6-foot-5 231-pound redshirt freshman.
While that transpired, Albany tailback Alex James scoped up the ball and ran around the left side for 17 yards and a first down that fueled a touchdown drive. In the second quarter, a 9-yard TD catch by Charlie Fessler was reversed after replay analysis, and the Spiders settled for Larson’s third field goal before the break.
The Spiders play at defending CAA champion Maine on Saturday. UR has made just one visit to Maine since 2009, and that came in 2014. The Black Bears (2-3, 0-2 CAA) come off a bye weekend
proud of the guys today , they played to win , the coaches played not to lose, at qb english is low risk low reward ,, but a win is a win, go spiders, but i have to admit i like watching mancuso ,they need to find a way to get him on the field.
1. Very entertaining first half of football. And we got the win.........nice.
2. Defense solid after the first quarter. We needed it.
3. Offense...perhaps the most boring half of football in the second half I've ever seen at Richmond. Who in the hell called those plays? I would almost rather see us lose than to play this spineless game of playing scared and "not to lose". Huesman has taken a page right out of Mooney's playbook. You are just telling your offensive team that you have No confidence in them because you are scared they will lose it for you. I hate this brand of football and basketball.
Can we please end this experiment called rugby style punting? PLEASE? I'm talking to you Huesman, we know that this is your baby. There's a reason that you hardly ever see it in the NFL.
2. Defense solid after the first quarter. We needed it.
3. Offense...perhaps the most boring half of football in the second half I've ever seen at Richmond. Who in the hell called those plays? I would almost rather see us lose than to play this spineless game of playing scared and "not to lose". Huesman has taken a page right out of Mooney's playbook. You are just telling your offensive team that you have No confidence in them because you are scared they will lose it for you. I hate this brand of football and basketball.
Can we please end this experiment called rugby style punting? PLEASE? I'm talking to you Huesman, we know that this is your baby. There's a reason that you hardly ever see it in the NFL.
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First game this year I’ve been able to really watch closely the whole time in person. I came away really impressed with #98. He was explosive today and really paired well with 92 & 36. The d-line won this game.
Wish we’d blitz a little more. Only saw one blitz and 30 got home on it.
#4 is a very good corner.
The rest of the secondary...ugh. Just didn’t seem like they had gap discipline in zone coverage. And just knock the ball down on deep passes. Tackling was suspect as well from the safety position. I’m not sure what others think but seems that may be a coaching weak spot as there appeared to be some good athletes on the field.
On offense there’s not a lot to say. 5 is dynamic and 9 is a very solid player (both in routes and blocking). O-line really seemed to struggle all day both in pass pro and run blocking. Hard to judge the running backs and WRs. #10 definitely looked scared to pull the trigger in the 2nd half on passes. Perhaps I’m too critical of the line play but it just seemed that we couldn’t do enough to be able to have much of a playbook.
42 is a stud. Really good.
Wish we’d blitz a little more. Only saw one blitz and 30 got home on it.
#4 is a very good corner.
The rest of the secondary...ugh. Just didn’t seem like they had gap discipline in zone coverage. And just knock the ball down on deep passes. Tackling was suspect as well from the safety position. I’m not sure what others think but seems that may be a coaching weak spot as there appeared to be some good athletes on the field.
On offense there’s not a lot to say. 5 is dynamic and 9 is a very solid player (both in routes and blocking). O-line really seemed to struggle all day both in pass pro and run blocking. Hard to judge the running backs and WRs. #10 definitely looked scared to pull the trigger in the 2nd half on passes. Perhaps I’m too critical of the line play but it just seemed that we couldn’t do enough to be able to have much of a playbook.
42 is a stud. Really good.
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