By Michael Parker

ALBANY, N.Y. (Aug. 23, 2022) — A date with a football powerhouse, renewed battles with former rivals and a host of on-campus action is all in store for the Great Danes this semester as the UAlbany fall sports season gets underway.

On Saturday, Sept. 3, the Great Danes football team travels to Waco, Texas, for a tilt with the Baylor Bears. The last time Baylor took the field, it was Jan. 1 in New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl, where it beat Southeastern Conference member Mississippi, 21-7, a victory that helped the Bears finish as the No. 5 team in the nation.

UAlbany now gets a shot at the defending Sugar Bowl champions in the season opener for both teams. After that, the Great Danes will head for the friendly confines of Bob Ford Field at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium for their home opener on Sept. 10 against Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) rival New Hampshire.

The Great Danes have 11 regular-season games on the schedule, including five home contests at Casey Stadium.

Meanwhile, UAlbany’s men’s and women’s soccer and cross country teams, as well as field hockey, women’s golf and women’s volleyball are all prepping for their fall campaigns.

The women’s soccer team has already started its season on the road with a pair of games at UMass and Monmouth. The Great Danes will get their chance to debut before home fans at Casey Stadium this Friday against Ivy League member Brown. The game kicks off at noon.

The field hockey team, picked to finish second in the America East preseason coaches’ poll, will hit the ground running on Saturday against CAA member Northeastern at Alumni Turf Field. The Great Danes will host Big Ten power Ohio State the following day on Alumni Turf. Both games are set to start at 1 p.m.

The men’s soccer team will get the first home contest of the fall season for UAlbany on Thursday, when the Great Danes host former America East rival Boston University at Casey Stadium. The contest starts at 7 p.m. for the Great Danes, who are looking to return to the NCAA playoffs for the first time since 2017.

The women’s volleyball team is heading to James Madison University Friday for the first of four tournaments in the 2022 season, with five opponents who played in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. The Great Danes’ home slate begins Tuesday, Sept. 13, against Marist at a location to be determined due to renovations at SEFCU Arena and the Physical Education building. UAlbany was also picked to finish second in the America East this season.

The women’s golf and the men’s and women’s cross country teams are also preparing for their fall campaigns with events to be announced.