Football is back at UAlbany as the Great Danes returned to Casey Stadium Wednesday morning for their first official practice of the season.

“Really, we’re just trying to get them into practice speed. So today was a little bit lower tempo,” said head coach Greg Gattuso, after the helmets-only practice.

After a historic run last year, UAlbany will have a lot of new faces at several positions this season. That includes at quarterback with graduate Trey Lindsey, Wisconsin transfer Myles Burkett and freshman Van Weber all battling for the starting job. One of them will replace Reese Poffenbarger, who transferred to the University of Miami after throwing for 3,603 yards and 36 touchdowns in 2023.

“I thought they threw the ball really well,” Gattuso said. “There was a couple big deep shots and some things we didn’t see in the spring much, which I was glad to see.”

The expectations are high this year after the Great Danes won the Coastal Athletic Association and reached the NCAA FCS national semifinals. UAlbany was picked third in the CAA preseason coaches’ poll.

“We need to just build what we have here as a team right now,” said Ghassan Chehade, a defensive lineman. “We just need to develop what we have on the field right now.”

Three Great Danes were also named to the preseason all-conference team: running back Griffin Woodell, offensive linemen Ozzie Hutchinson and Will Marotta. Kicker John Opalko also earned honorable mention.

“It doesn't mean a thing,” Woodell said. “And now I got to come out there and earn it, actually. Earn it for this season.”

Gattuso plans to ramp up practice this week before the pads are put on. UAlbany kicks off the new season against LIU on Aug. 31 at Casey Stadium.

“We've gained some respect for our program over the last four or five years, I think with some playoff berths,” Gattuso said. “But long-term respect comes from long-term success. And that's what we need to do.”