By LeMont Joyner
On the night where former receiver Marques Colston’s jersey was retired, the stage was set for Hofstra to earn its first win of the season at the home opener. Despite being favored over Albany, Hofstra suffered a heartbreaking loss in overtime.
The game started very well for the Pride as quarterback Cory Christopher (27/38 passing, 272 yards, one touchdown, 19 carries, and 44 yards) led the offense to a touchdown score on their opening possession. Capping the drive off with a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Aaron Weaver on a 4th and 2.
However, misfortunes would follow on the extra point. Misfortunes that came to define how and why Hofstra would lose this game. Brian Hanly’s extra point was blocked, the first of three that would occur.
On the defensive side of the ball Hofstra had no answer for Albany’s ground attack. Running back David McCarty carried the ball 27 times for 178 yards including a 46-yard scamper that set up Albany’s first touchdown score late in the first quarter. It was a defensive game throughout, with no team having any real advantage until Christopher fumbled a snap in the Pride’s own endzone. The resulting safety tied the game at 9-9 with 6:18 left in the 3rd quarter. Albany simply took off from Hofstra’s error and scored a touchdown on their next possession. Quarterback Vinny Esposito had a 1-yard touchdown run to give Albany their second lead of the game at 16-9.
In the fourth quarter, Hofstra was in a position to win the game. Tying the game at 16-16 on a 3 yard run by Brock Jackolski with 10:34 left. Hofstra managed the clock in the final quarter well to give them a chance to win the game on their final drive. Christopher put together a methodical drive combined with great play calling on crucial third downs to keep the chains moving. He completed 9 of 11 passes and converted four third downs. Yet in the final seconds of the quarter, Hanly’s kicked was blocked to send the game into overtime.
“That’s unacceptable, to get in the red zone and not score touchdowns,” Christopher explained. “Our offense is built to score touchdowns. It’s what we demand.” In OT, Hofstra had possession first, but the offense sputtered which gave Hanly a second chance to win the game. But for the third time the blocking could not hold up and Hanly’s 30-yard field goal attempt was blocked. “That’s got to be a given,” Pride coach Dave Cohen said. “We’ve worked on that every day since day one.” Albany never looked back after the block and scored on a McCarty 7-yard run. Albany had lost its previous nine games against Hofstra and had not beaten Hofstra on Long Island since 1974.
Bob Bonett believes that Pennington will become the Jets starter after preseason training camp. (Stephen Cooney)