This season, we’re rolling out a new AI-driven quick hitter for Wednesdays to help Hawkeye fans get the quick and dirty info on that week’s upcoming opponent, titled ‘Know Your Opponent’. This is certainly not all-encompassing and we’ll dive deeper as the week progresses with opponent Q&As, ‘By the Numbers’ breakdowns and our weekly game previews. Until then, here’s a quick look to help you get to know your opponent in week one, the Albany Great Danes.
The UAlbany Great Danes roll into Iowa City with
an interim head coach, a new starting quarterback, and plenty to prove after a 4–8 season in 2024. While the Danes don’t match Iowa’s size or depth, they bring a scrappy backfield duo in Jojo Uga and Griffin Woodell, plus a veteran defensive core led by linebacker Ron Holmes and corner Denzel Patrick. It’s the first-ever meeting between the programs, and for Albany, the upset recipe is simple, though certainly a long shot: stay clean on special teams, hit quick throws to protect QB Jack Shields, and hope the defense can steal a possession or two. For Iowa fans, it’s a chance to see how the Hawkeyes handle a rebuilding FCS foe in a Week 1 tune-up under the lights (yes, there will be lights) at Kinnick. Bottom line for Hawkeye fans:
Albany is reorganizing with a new QB and interim HC, but they’ve got a legitimate RB duo and a veteran DB/LB spine that can make you work. If Iowa’s offensive line handles an early script of quick hitters and the defense smothers the run on standard downs, the Great Danes’ margin for error shrinks fast. Keep an eye on Uga/Woodell touches and whether Shields can create off-schedule—those are Albany’s swing factors.
Coaching Situation
• Interim Head Coach: Jared Ambrose (promoted March 2025 after Greg Gattuso’s departure).
• Coordinators: Bill Nesselt (Defense), Will Fiacchi (Offense/QBs).
With Ambrose taking over the head coaching role, Bill Nesselt has been promoted to Associate Head Coach and will continue to serve as the team’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He’s been with UAlbany for 8 seasons and enters his third year as DC after taking the role in 2023, the same year his unit produced some of the best numbers in the FCS en route to the team winning its first ever CAA title and advancing to the NCAA FCS Semifinals.
On the offensive side of the ball, former UAlbany quarterback Will Fiacchi has been promoted to Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach, taking the role from Ambrose. Fiacchi was most recently the team’s Wide Receivers Coach and Passing Game Coordinator.
In total, five new coaches have also joined the staff for the 2025 season.
Offense
• QB: Jack Shields (Old Dominion → Buffalo → UAlbany), starter named Aug. 19. Van Weber had been expected to start this season but was lost to injury in the spring.
• RB Duo: Jojo Uga (422 yds, 6 TD in 2024) & Griffin Woodell (’23 CAA Offensive ROY, returning from
injury after rushing for 892 yards and 8 TDs with 255 receiving yards and 2 TDs).
• WRs: Kylen Austin & Jasiah Barron lead the outside threats.
• Scheme: Pro-style spread with RPOs, rhythm passing, zone runs.
Defense
• LB Ron Holmes (88 tackles ’24) is the anchor.
• DBs: Denzel Patrick (54 tackles), Thomas Joe-Kamara (50) – CAA Preseason Honorable Mention.
• Strength: Back seven; front four remains a question mark.
Special Teams
• K/P: John Opalko, veteran presence for field position & points.
• Jordan Orlovsky has been promoted to Special Teams Coordinator for the 2025 season.
Depth Chart
Quick Keys for Iowa
• Contain RB duo Uga/Woodell early.
• Force QB Shields into 3rd-and-long and off-script plays.
• Avoid turnovers—Albany’s best (and likely only) chance is a takeaway-driven game.
Game Details
Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Iowa and Albany. The Hawkeyes are historically unbeaten vs. CAA foes. However, the lone matchup came in 2008 vs Maine when Iowa emerged victorious 46–3.
Date: Saturday, August 31st
Time: 5:10 pm CT
Matchup: Albany Great Danes (0-0, 0-0) at Iowa Hawkeyes (0-0, 0-0)
Location: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IA
TV: FS1
