It is that time of year again — Cornell football is officially back. The Red will travel to the University of Albany this weekend, for the first time in history, and look to set the tone for the rest of the regular season.
The University of Albany has largely struggled this season, taking three consecutive losses. The Red will come into this game looking to start the season in the win column for the first time since 2023, ahead of its first conference game against Yale University next week.
Head coach Dan Swanstrom returns following his first season in the position, which was characterized by offensive improvements. While the Red (4-6, 3-4 Ivy) finished fifth in the Ivy League, the team did have some impressive wins last season, including a 47-23 homecoming victory against the Bulldogs.
Swanstrom and the Red’s offensive unit produced 30.2 points per game last season, good for third overall in the Ivy League. The key to success for the Red could be getting the offensive attack started early — all three of UAlbany’s losses this season have resulted because the opposing offense scored first and tied or led the score at the end of the first quarter. The Red could also capitalize on UAlbany’s defensive struggles given that the unit has given up nearly 32 points and 400 yards a game to start the season.
“I think the energy will be there for this game,” Swanstrom said. “The trick is sustainability through the season, competitive endurance.”
The season opener will also be an interesting opportunity for the Red to experiment at the quarterback position, given the graduation of former quarterback Jameson Wang ’25 and possible defensive lapses from the Great Danes, who have recorded just three sacks this season. The season opener should give fans a better idea of what Swanstrom plans to do with his five active quarterbacks.
This matchup also represents an opportunity to strike back at a team that handed the Red its first home loss of the 2024-25 season. The matchup saw the Red’s defense give up 31 points to UAlbany. The Red put up just 10 points and converted on 14 first downs.
The Red could also make a statement with a win against the Great Danes, as Ivy Preseason Polling had Cornell finishing seventh in the Ivy League this season. Swanstrom stated the need for continued improvement in a season that could hopefully see the program turn into a force to be reckoned with.
“We expect better results this season,” Swanstrom said. “We expect better competitive endurance, and we are looking to play a lot of guys and level up the energy and the fight.”
Defensively, the Red enter this matchup following a difficult last season, where the team allowed its opponents to gain 431.2 yards a game. Junior wide receiver Caden Burti will be the player to watch on UAlbany’s offense, as he has led the team with 13 receptions and 265 yards.
This matchup could be an opportunity for the Red’s defense to dominate, given that the Great Danes have offensively only produced 304 rushing yards and eight touchdowns across three games. Fifth-year safety Damon Barnes will be the heart of the defensive attack as he recorded 65 total tackles last year. On the defensive line, look for senior linebacker Joey Cheshire to disturb Albany’s offense as he finished last season with 63 total tackles and two sacks.
It is undeniable that this game will prove to be an electrifying start to the second season of the Swanstrom era.
The Red will take the field in Albany on Sept. 20. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. with coverage of the action available on FloFootball.
Matthew Leonard is a member of the Class of 2028 in the School of Industrial and Labor Relations. He is the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. He can be reached at mleonard@cornellsun.com.
Zeinab Faraj is a member of the class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She is the features editor on the 143rd Editorial Board and was the assistant sports editor of the 143rd Editorial Board. You can reach her at zfaraj@cornellsun.com.
