What Is 2019 Albany Great Danes football team

Content on WhatAnswers is provided "as is" for informational purposes. While we strive for accuracy, we make no guarantees. Content is AI-assisted and should not be used as professional advice.

Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany in the NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Greg Gattuso. They competed in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and advanced to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Key Facts

The 2019 Albany Great Danes finished the season with a 7–5 overall record
They played in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), finishing 5–3 in conference play
Head coach Greg Gattuso led the team in his second full season
The Great Danes advanced to the FCS playoffs, losing in the first round to Montana State
Quarterback Jeff Undercuffler threw for 2,417 yards and 18 touchdowns

Overview

The 2019 Albany Great Danes football team represented the University at Albany in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Competing in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), the team was led by head coach Greg Gattuso in his second full season at the helm.

The Great Danes showed marked improvement from their 2018 campaign, finishing with a winning record and qualifying for the FCS playoffs. Their season included notable victories over CAA opponents and a strong offensive performance led by quarterback Jeff Undercuffler.

Overall record of 7–5: The team achieved a winning season for the first time since 2015, a significant milestone under Greg Gattuso’s leadership.
CAA record of 5–3: Their conference performance placed them in the middle of the competitive Colonial Athletic Association standings.
First playoff appearance since 2015: The Great Danes earned an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs after a strong finish to the regular season.
Lost to Montana State 38–10 in the first round: Despite a solid season, they were overpowered by the Bobcats in the postseason.
Jeff Undercuffler as starting quarterback: He threw for 2,417 yards and 18 touchdowns, becoming a key offensive leader.

How It Works

The structure of college football at the FCS level involves conference play, national rankings, and a playoff system to determine the champion. Teams compete for automatic or at-large bids to the postseason based on win-loss records and strength of schedule.

Division I FCS: This is the second-highest level of college football in the U.S., where the Albany Great Danes compete, one tier below the FBS.
Colonial Athletic Association (CAA): The Great Danes’ conference includes 13 teams, and a top finish can lead to an automatic playoff bid.
7–5 record: This overall mark was strong enough for an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs despite not winning the conference.
FCS Playoffs: A 24-team single-elimination tournament; Albany entered as one of the at-large teams but lost in the first round.
Greg Gattuso: In his second full season, he improved team discipline and performance, guiding the Great Danes to their first playoff berth in four years.
Jeff Undercuffler’s role: As the starting quarterback, his 18 touchdowns and low interception count (7) were crucial to offensive consistency.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2019 season compared to recent years shows progress in both win total and playoff qualification. Below is a comparison with the previous two seasons:

Season	Overall Record	CAA Record	Playoff Result	Key Player
2019	7–5	5–3	First Round (Lost to Montana State)	Jeff Undercuffler
2018	4–7	3–5	Did not qualify	Vincent Testa
2017	5–6	4–4	Did not qualify	Zeke Abraham
2016	6–5	4–4	Did not qualify	Will Fiacco
2015	8–5	6–2	Quarterfinals (Lost to Jacksonville State)	Will Fiacco

The 2019 season marked a return to relevance for the program, matching their best win total since 2015 and reestablishing playoff presence. While they fell short in the postseason, the foundation was set for future competitiveness in the CAA.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was pivotal for the Albany Great Danes as it signaled a turnaround under Greg Gattuso and reestablished the program’s ability to compete at a high level in the FCS. Success on the field translated into increased fan engagement and recruiting momentum.

Playoff return after four-year gap: Qualifying in 2019 ended a drought and boosted team morale and program visibility.
Improved quarterback play: Jeff Undercuffler’s development provided stability at a critical position for future seasons.
Enhanced recruiting appeal: Playoff appearances help attract higher-caliber high school athletes to the program.
Increased conference competitiveness: A 5–3 CAA record showed the Great Danes could challenge top teams like William & Mary and New Hampshire.
Foundation for future success: The 2019 season laid groundwork for sustained improvement in subsequent years.
Strong fan turnout: Home games saw increased attendance, reflecting renewed community support for the team.

Overall, the 2019 Albany Great Danes season was a turning point that demonstrated progress and set expectations for continued growth in the competitive FCS landscape.