ITHACA, N.Y. –The Great Danes enter Saturday's matchup in a challenging position, picked 12th out of 14 teams in the CAA Preseason Poll and sitting at 0-3 following a 24-17 loss on September 13 to New Haven.

Under first year head coach Jared Ambrose, junior quarterback Jack Shields directs UAlbany's attack, completing 56.0% of his passes for 834 yards and six touchdowns through three games. While Shields has added 86 rushing yards, the Great Danes' ground game has struggled, averaging just 53.7 yards per contest with Griffin Woodell leading the way at 37.0 yards per game. Through the air, Shields has found reliable targets in Caden Burti and Carter Moses, each with 13 receptions. Burti leads the team with 265 receiving yards, while Tavahri Groves has emerged as the primary red-zone threat with three touchdown catches.

UAlbany's defense has shown vulnerability early in the season, surrendering 31.7 points and 402.0 yards per game. Ron Holmes anchors the unit with a team-high 30 tackles (20 solo, 10 assisted), part of a trio of Great Danes with 20 or more stops. Pass rush has been minimal, with just three team sacks on the season. Ibrahim Sanogo leads with 1.5 sacks, all of which came in the week two contest at Delaware State.

UAlbany Overview
Record: 0-3 (0-0 CAA)
            Home: 0-1 • Away: 0-2 • Neutral: 0-0
CAA Preseason Poll: 12th
Last Week: L, 24-17 vs. New Haven
Head Coach: Jared Ambrose (First Season, 0-3)
 
Offensive Outlook
Scoring: 18.67
Total Yards: 331.7
Rushing Offense: 53.7
Passing Offense: 278.0
Third Down: 9-38 (23.68%)
Red Zone: 6-8
Time of Possession: 25:17
Penalties: 20-177
Turnovers: 3 (2 INT, 1 FR)
 
Defensive Outlook
Scoring Defense: 31.67
Total Defense: 402.0
Rush Defense: 264.3
Pass Defense: 137.67
Third Down Defense: 19-43 (44.19)
Red Zone Defense: 10-11
Sacks: 3.0
Turnovers Forced: 2 (0 INT, 2 FR)
Turnover Margin: -1
 
Key Players to Watch
 
QB: Jack Sheilds (Sr.) – 65-177 (Comp-Att.), 56.03%, 834 yards, 6 TD, 2 INT
RB: Griffin Woodell (Jr.) – 19 att., 111 net yards, 5.8 avg., 1 TD
WR: Caden Burti (Jr.) – 13 catches, 265 yards, 1 TD
DEF: Ron Holmes (Sr.) – 30 tackles (20 solo, 10 asst.)
 
 

Category (Per Game Avg.)	Cornell*	UAlbany
Points	30.20	18.67
Points Allowed	31.80	31.67
Total Yards	412.6	331.7
Total Yards Allowed	431.2	402.0
Rushing Offense	148.2	53.7
Rush Defense	176.7	264.3
Passing Offense	264.4	278.00
Pass Defense	254.4	137.67
Turnover Differential	+4	-2
3rd Down Conversions	57-137 (41.61%)	9-38 (23.68)
Red Zone: Scores/Attempts	41-49 (83.6%)	6-8 (75.0%)

*Cornell Stats based off of 2024 season
 
Series History
Record: Series tied, 1-1
Last Meeting: Oct. 5, 2024 (UAlbany 31, Cornell 10)
First Meeting: Sep. 30, 2006 (Cornell 23, UAlbany 21)
Cornell Home Record: Series tied, 1-1
Cornell Road Record: n/a