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Sunday, November 24, 2002

By Bob Weiner, Special to the Post-Gazette

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Winds gusting at more than 40 mph and a muddy, slippery field took away most of Duquesne's top offensive weapons in the first quarter of yesterday's second annual ECAC Football Classic.

The University at Albany, taking full advantage of the wind and three short-field situations, scored 17 points in that opening period and went on to stun the previously unbeaten and nationally ranked Dukes, 24-0, on University Field.

Game-time temperature was 30 degrees, and the wind chill was much colder with the severe winds. Duquesne's decision to defer after winning the opening coin toss ended up costing the Dukes, as the Great Danes opted to defend the west goal post -- with the wind.

Duquesne sophomore quarterback Niel Loebig, who entered the game with glowing statistics, including 2,583 passing yards and 29 touchdown passes, threw an interception on the Duke's first play from scrimmage. The wind appeared to knock the ball down and it landed in Albany roverback Ryan MacLean's hands.

Things only got worse for Duquesne as the Great Danes kept the ball on the ground and ran away with the victory behind a 194-yard, two-touchdown performance from game MVP Gary Jones. Duquesne Coach Greg Gattuso said the game might have been influenced by the coin toss.

"We debated it up and down as to what to do," Gattuso said. "I think Albany head coach Bob Ford made the right choice for his situation. He took the wind, and we got stormed early. That's football. Some fields are better than others."

The Dukes end the season at 11-1.

Gattuso said the field conditions took his high-powered offense right out of the game. Duquesne, ranked 21st in the nation according to the ESPN/USA Today and The Sports Network national Division I-AA polls, entered the game averaging 36.1 points and 430.2 total yards.

"Our offense is based on speed," Gattuso said.

"We're not a power running team. We're not made for it. It was my worst nightmare having a bad field and playing against a 40 mph wind. The wind was constant, with no letup."

Albany scored all of its first-quarter points using a short field. After a 2-yard punt into the wind by Joe Maker, the Danes took over on Duquesne's 43 and scored in seven plays. Jones, who finished the season with a Northeast Conference-record 23 touchdowns, broke up the middle and cut against the grain for a 19-yard touchdown run, and Stan Zylinski added the extra point for a 7-0 Albany lead with 6:52 left.

After a 12-yard Duquesne punt, Albany capped off a five-play drive with a 30-yard field goal. The Great Danes then took advantage of a third short punt into the wind when James Mansberger's punt totaled a net two 2 yards, setting up a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Jon George for a 17-0 Albany lead. The Great Danes, who held the ball for 11:28 on one possession in the third quarter, capped off the scoring in the final quarter with a 1-yard run by Jones.

"Albany has one of the best offenses we've faced all year," Gattuso said.

"Gary Jones is a nice back, but their offensive line makes him go. I still think that big games come down to kicking and turnovers. They won the turnover battle.

"I'm just sorry you didn't see our offense at its best," Gattuso added. "This game was like fighting a gun fight with a slingshot."