The 1997 Albany football team becomes a member of the Eastern Football Conference following 24 seasons as an independent. The program's third NCAA Division II campaign will feature 33 returning letterwinners,including eight starters on offense and five on defense.

The Great Danes produced their highest win total since 1985 with a 7-3 record last season.

"We should be able to move the football and score," says Bob Ford, who begins his 25th season as head coach. "Our kicking game is vastly improved, but the question remains as to whether we can stop the other team."

OFFENSE: The Albany offense went to a multiple-formation scheme last year, and the results were a more balanced attack. The Great Danes have a backfield with experience, a variety of receivers and a group of decent offensive linemen.

Senior Joe Savino, a '96 all-ECAC-IFC quarterback, is the school's all-time leader with 4,638 passing yards and 34 touchdowns. He connected on 114 of 224 attempts for 1,494 yards and 11 TDs in his third year as a starter. An excellent runner and scrambler, Savino will move to No.1 in career total offense early in the season.

"The offense is designed to take advantage of his skills and abilities," states Ford, who has a capable backup in junior Eric Williams, a 6'2", 210-pound athlete. "Joe is a gutsy kid who makes plays, has a winner's attitude, and is a student of the game."

Three of the top four receivers return including all-ECAC-IFC tight end Seth Thomas. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound target caught 19 passes for 216 yards and a team-high six touchdowns. Senior Dan Gmelin, an all-around threat as a wideout and kick returner, amassed 1,032 all-purpose yards as a junior. He led the Great Danes with 46 receptions for 720 yards and three TDs. Split end Michael Ettz made 21 catches for 223 yards.

"Dan is a great commodity, and an accomplished receiver with great hands," Ford offers. "Seth is a big, strong talent, who needs to become more of a technician as a blocker."

Tailback Greg Garrett and fullback Mike Browne found the offensive's Multiple I to their advantage. The tandem combined for 1,260 yards on the ground and 12 touchdowns. Garrett set a freshman single-season rushing record with 696 yards.

Senior left tackle Loren Baker (6-3, 290), a first-team Football Gazette All-American and an all-ECAC choice, has become a dominant force on the offensive line, and did not allow a quarterback sack in 1996. Regulars in the trenches with Baker include center Nelson Bauza (6-0, 240) and right guard Lou Butts (5- 10, 247). Battles are shaping at the other line spots where Jared Kostick (6-1, 270) and Mike McGuinness (6-1, 245) have an experience edge.

"Baker has all the tools with his size, quick feet, and a real mean streak," Ford says. "We have a good enough group to get the job done up front."

DEFENSE: The Great Danes have shown steady improvement since moving to an aggressive 4-3-4 alignment two years ago. Albany gave up 9.5 points less per game than in 1995, forced 10 more turnovers, and was ranked among the Division II leaders in pass efficiency defense with an 89.3 rating.

Junior defensive end Matt Caliandro (6-5, 240), a first-team Football Gazette All-American, is the leading returnee on a unit which lost its top four tacklers. An all-ECAC performer, Caliandro had 71 tackles to go with 3.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and one interception. Peter London, a 6-foot, 240- pound senior, is a fine complement at tackle. He switched from linebacker last season, and had 67 tackles and four fumbles recoveries, including one for a touchdown.

"Caliandro has the physical tools and runs well," Ford explains. "Peter has strength and is quick off the ball."

Sophomore Chris Wilgosz (6-0, 250) and junior Mark Pnini (6-0, 235) have created a defensive line competition with impressive workouts during the spring.

The coaching staff is faced with rebuilding its linebacking corps as all-ECAC roverback Anthony Vitti and middle linebacker Steve Flood have completed their careers. A'Rehema Leach, a 5'10", 200-pound junior, is the lone returning starter. He recorded 67 tackles, including four for a loss, in 10 starts.

"It is a major question to be answered," says Ford, who has moved Mike Grever from fullback to inside linebacker. "Both inside starters are gone, so we are going to have to make personnel decisions and calculate how much pressure we will use."

Ike Tomazewski (6-0, 205) and Ryan Tumbry (6-0, 220), a pair of juniors who have earned their stripes on special teams, are the leading inside candidates, while junior Shcree Lewis comes to the program from Hudson Valley Community College. Eric Pechenko, a junior, and sophomore Greg Green top the depth chart at roverback.

The Albany secondary allowed just eight scoring passes last fall, and are solid at cornerback with juniors Shawn West (5-10, 190) and Troy Rhett (5-9, 150). West and Rhett combined for 74 tackles, 16 pass break-ups and three interceptions. Fred Daughtry, a 6-foot-2 free safety who missed last season, eases the loss of ECAC all-star Ted Bearor, who led UA in tackles and interceptions.

KICKING GAME: Special teams was a point of emphasis during spring practice with constant attention given to punting and punt returns.

Tommy Starr, a senior, took over the punting chores in the second game last season, and averaged 31.3 yards per kick. He booted a 70-yarder at St. Lawrence.

Deron Regev became a more consistent place-kicker as a sophomore, and has converted 31 of 35 career point-after attempts. He connected on a career-best 39-yard field goal vs. Gannon. Sophomore Jason Usher will be pressed by freshman Jonathan Garrick on kickoffs and long-range field goals.