What Is 2007 Albany Great Danes football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2007 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany, SUNY in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 7-4 record under head coach Bob Ford. They competed in the Northeast Conference (NEC) and won the conference title with a 6-0 record, earning their first-ever playoff berth. The team advanced to the FCS quarterfinals before losing to Delaware on December 8, 2007.

Key Facts

The 2007 Albany Great Danes finished the season with a 7-4 overall record
They went a perfect 6-0 in the Northeast Conference (NEC) to win the conference title
Head coach Bob Ford led the team in his 19th season at Albany
The Great Danes earned their first FCS playoff berth in program history
They advanced to the FCS quarterfinals before losing 35-20 to Delaware on December 8, 2007

Overview

The 2007 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany, SUNY in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Under the leadership of head coach Bob Ford, who was in his 19th season, the team achieved a historic milestone by winning its first Northeast Conference (NEC) title and earning a spot in the FCS playoffs.

The Great Danes finished the regular season with a 7-4 overall record and a perfect 6-0 in conference play, securing the NEC championship. Their success marked a turning point for the program, which had only moved to the FCS level in 1999 and joined the NEC in 2006.

Quarterback Dan Hutchins led the offense, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns during the season, providing a consistent passing threat.
The team’s defense ranked among the FCS leaders in red zone efficiency, allowing opponents to score on just 78% of red zone trips.
Albany’s October 20 victory over Central Connecticut State was pivotal, a 27-24 win that kept their undefeated conference record intact.
The Great Danes’ first playoff appearance in program history came after defeating Central Connecticut State in the NEC title game.
They hosted their first-ever playoff game on November 24, 2007, defeating Gardner-Webb 41-10 in the first round.

Season Performance and Playoff Run

The 2007 season was defined by Albany’s dominance in conference play and their breakthrough performance in the postseason. After a slow start with a 2-3 record, the team won five straight games to finish the regular season strong.

Regular season record: The Great Danes finished 7-4 overall, with losses to FBS opponent Buffalo and FCS programs like Stony Brook and New Hampshire.
NEC dominance: They were the first team in NEC history to go 6-0 in conference play, setting a new benchmark for league excellence.
Offensive output: Albany averaged 33.1 points per game during the season, fueled by a balanced attack between Hutchins’ passing and a strong rushing game.
Defensive improvement: The defense allowed just 19.8 points per game in conference play, a significant improvement from previous seasons.
Playoff debut: In the first round, they defeated Gardner-Webb 41-10, with running back Chris Slezak rushing for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterfinal exit: Their season ended on December 8, 2007, with a 35-20 loss to Delaware, who went on to reach the national championship game.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2007 Albany Great Danes compare to other NEC champions and FCS playoff teams from that era:

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Playoff Result	Points Per Game
Albany (2007)	7-4	6-0 (NEC)	Quarterfinals	33.1
Delaware (2007)	11-3	6-1 (CAA)	Runner-Up	35.2
Central Connecticut (2006)	6-5	4-2 (NEC)	None	24.7
Albany (2006)	5-6	4-2 (NEC)	None	27.8
Montana (2007)	10-4	6-1 (Big Sky)	Runner-Up	32.9

The 2007 Albany team stood out for its perfect conference record and playoff advancement, a significant leap from their 5-6 record the previous year. While not the highest-scoring team in the FCS, their consistency and defensive discipline allowed them to compete with national contenders.

Why It Matters

The 2007 season was a landmark for the Albany football program, establishing it as a rising force in the FCS. It demonstrated that a mid-major program could achieve national relevance through strong coaching and conference dominance.

The team’s success helped boost recruiting visibility for Albany, attracting higher-caliber athletes in subsequent seasons.
It marked the beginning of a five-year playoff streak from 2007 to 2011, cementing Albany as an FCS contender.
Head coach Bob Ford earned NEC Coach of the Year honors, recognizing his leadership in building a championship culture.
The playoff win over Gardner-Webb was the first postseason victory in program history, a milestone moment for the university.
Albany’s run increased local media coverage and attendance at home games, growing the fan base significantly.
The season laid the foundation for future success, including multiple conference titles and deep playoff runs in the following decade.

The 2007 Albany Great Danes not only achieved on-field success but also elevated the profile of the entire athletic department, proving that sustained excellence was possible at the FCS level.