Countdown to Kickoff – UAlbany

History of the band
Points per game	27.0	12.0
Points against	21.0	34.0
Rushing yards per game	90.0	85.0
Allowed rushing yards per game	179.0	222.0
Passing yards per game	165.0	161.0
Allowed passing yards per game	179.0	235.0
Total yards per game	255.0	246.0
Total yards allowed per game	358.0	457.0
First Downs for	12	19
First Downs against	20	21
Fumble/Lost	0/0	4/2
Passes intercepted/return yards	0/0	0/0
Net Punting	37.3	44.0
Field Goal/Attempts	2/2	2/2
Ownership period	27:56	29:35
3. Down-conversions	3/13	4/14
Defense during the conversion of the 3rd down	3/12	5/11
4. Down-conversions	0/1	3/4
4. Down Conversion Defense	1/2	1/1
Lost sacks/yards	2/15	0/0

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia will try to hit the reset button on the 2024 season with tonight’s nonconference game against UAlbany at Milan Puskar Stadium.

Last Saturday, the Mountaineers (0-1) got off to a rocky start, losing a disappointing 34-12 to eighth-ranked Penn State in front of 62,084 spectators.

trainer Neal Brown praised the atmosphere before the nationally televised game on FOX, but admitted that his team did not perform as expected.

“We have to make a big jump no matter what week it is,” Brown said. “We didn't play well enough in week one. We were below our standards offensively and defensively, so regardless of the opponent, the venue or the game week, we have to take it a step further and play to our expectations.”

Penn State outscored West Virginia 457 to 246, although WVU had only two fewer first downs than the Lions (21 to 19). A few bad snaps skewed West Virginia's yardage, but quarterback Garrett Greene's His passing numbers were very similar to last year in State College, when the Lions won 38-15.

In that game, Greene completed 16 of his 27 passing attempts for 162 yards. Last Saturday, he completed 15 of 28 for 161 yards. WVU's running attack, which rushed for 146 yards last year against the Lions, managed just 85 yards on 37 attempts last Saturday.

Brown pointed out earlier this week that the special teams were the only bright spot in last Saturday's loss. The kick and punt coverage, a problem last year, was solid and the kickers Michael Hayes II managed to convert both of his field goal attempts from distances of 38 and 39 yards.

In Albany, New York, UAlbany is ranked 13th.^th struggled in the FCS Coaches Poll to defeat Long Island University in its season opener.

The Sharks limited the Great Danes to 255 yards and 10 first downs on offense and had the football almost five minutes longer than UAlbany, who put themselves in position for a decisive touchdown with a 55-yard punt return by Jamal Cooney. John Opalko also scored a 41-yard field goal in the 27-21 triumph.

Seven McGee, who transferred from Oregon, led the Great Danes with five catches for 119 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown. Quarterback Myles Burkett, making his first start, completed 12 of 26 passes for 165 yards, while Griffin Woodell led the ground attack with 91 yards on 20 carries.

“They won, and when you're playing against an opponent that's used to winning, it's a tough task,” Brown said. “When you look at what Albany has accomplished, the FCS semifinals a year ago and a lot of success in the CAA – a league I've played and coached in. They play top-notch football and (UAlbany) is used to winning.”

UAlbany moved up to Division II in 1995 and Division I FCS in 1999. Now in its 50th year,^th Season, UAlbany has an overall record of 325-226 with three FCS playoff appearances in 2011, 2019 and 2023.

Tonight's game is the 22nd.^and This was West Virginia's first time facing an FCS opponent. The Mountaineers have won all 21 previous meetings. Last year, WVU defeated Duquesne 56-17 at Milan Puskar Stadium.

There have been some close contests over the years, however. In 2019, Brown's first game at WVU, the Mountaineers narrowly beat James Madison 20-13. In 2016, Youngstown State led 14-7 late in the second quarter before falling 38-21.

In 2013, WVU overcame a 17-7 halftime deficit to defeat William & Mary 24-17, and in 2009, Liberty proved to be a pesky opponent in the Mountaineers' 33-20 victory.

West Virginia's very first game against an FCS opponent was in 1982, a 43-10 home win over Richmond.

Here is the countdown to kick-off tonight:

10 – The Mountaineers defense has held opponents to fewer than 300 passing yards in all but TEN of their last 59 games.

9 – Safety for seniors Anthony Wilson, Jr. recorded a career-high NINE tackles in West Virginia's season-opening loss to Penn State and was one of the few players praised by the coach Neal Brown later.

8 – Since Neal BrownSince arriving in 2019, his teams have suffered EIGHT turnovers in games against FCS teams and are plus-five overall in turnovers.

7 – First-year linebacker Josiah Trotter ranks SEVENTH in the Big 12 in total tackles this week and 26th nationally with 10 stops in last Saturday's loss to Penn State.

6 – Experienced right tackle Nick Malone was the best among WVU's offensive linemen last week with SIX knockdown blocks against Penn State.


5 – West Virginia had FIVE players making their first start in its opening loss to Penn State last week: Tyrin Bradley Jr., Ayden Garnes, Garnett Hollis Jr., Kekoura Tarnue And Josiah Trotter.


4 – Quarterback Garrett Greene threw a career-high FOUR touchdown passes in his final game against an FCS opponent, Duquesne, last season.


3 – West Virginia has won all THREE times it has played at home on this day, September 7. The last home game on this day was in 1996, when the Mountaineers defeated Western Michigan 34-9.


2 – The Mountaineers defense has recorded at least four tackles for loss in all but TWO of their last 22 games since the 2022 season.


1 – UAlbany will play at Milan Puskar Stadium for the FIRST time tonight.


Tonight's game has been dubbed the “Gold Rush,” where fans are encouraged to wear their gold. It's also a Coca-Cola Family Day, offering four tickets and a $25 coupon for only $150. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by logging on to WVUGAME.com.


Further information about the games, parking and the stadium can be found here.


“We're going to have a really good football team and one game doesn't define our season or who we are. We're going to play better football and hopefully that starts on Saturday,” Brown said.


Coverage on the Mountaineer Sports Network begins at 3 p.m. with the GoMart Mountaineer Tailgate Show and transitions into regular coverage with Tony Caridi, Dwight Wallace and Jed Drenning at 5 p.m. on stations across West Virginia, online at WVUsports.com and the popular Varsity Network and WVU Gameday apps.


ESPN+ (Richard Cross and Barrett Brooks) will televise the game tonight, starting at 6 p.m.