The Albany Great Danes waited 20 years to host their first ever FCS playoff game, after earning their first home game they didn't disappoint. It took all of the first half to shake the jitters playing to a 7-7 tie at half, but the Danes caught fire in the third scoring on four of their five possessions in the quarter. Freshman quarterback Jeff Undercuffler completed all 10 of his third quarter throws for 220 yards and four touchdowns as they took a 35-7 advantage into the fourth quarter. Undercuffler tacked on another touchdown pass in the fourth to set the program record of six touchdown passes to lead Albany past Central Connecticut 42-14 to advance to the second round.
Albany with their first FCS playoff victory in program history will travel to play fifth seeded Montana State in the second round. Montana State boast a rushing attack that ranks sixth in the FCS with 270.1 yards per a game. They average 33.8 points per a game, which is good for 22nd, while their defense ranks 23rd giving up 21.5 points per a contest. The biggest weakness of this Montana State defense plays right into the hands of Albany's strength giving up 238.7 passing yards per a game, 85th in the FCS. Albany, behind freshman Jeff Undercuffler, ranks 33rd in passing yards a game with 255.1 yards.
As we've seen in the first round this passing attack of Albany can get hot in a hurry. Albany, behind a top ten rusher in Karl Mofor, averages 136.9 yards on the ground giving them a balanced attack en route to scoring 33.2 points per a game.
There are two keys for an Albany victory is for their 47th ranked rushing defense to stop the top 10 rushing attack of Montana State, and also have their passing attack clicking early and often.
The Albany Great Danes play the Montana State Bobcats December 7 at 3pm on ESPN3.