Danes' wishbone tramples over Buffalo, 33-10 Soldini looks to shoot down rushing record against Marist

It took eight games, but the Albany State football team finally showed how unstoppable a wishbone offense can be when all the parts are working. Rushing for a season-high 383. yards, the Danes powered past Buffalo University, 33-10, solidifying their chances Of avoiding a second-straight losing season. The 4-5 Danes host Marist this Saturday, a hapless team Albany has outscored 96-7 in their last two meetings. In this Saturday's game, junior fullback Dave Soldini will need 155 yards to smash the school season-rushing record of 1009 yards, set by Tom DeBlois in 1975. Soldini, after a slow first , half in which he fumbled twice, compiled 90 yards last week to increase his total to 855. "It would be nice to get the record," said Soldini, "but I'm not going to think about it. In the first half I played too tight because I thought about it too much." Soldini was not the only backfield threat Saturday. Ro Mitchell's 134 yards on 10 carries evoked the highest praise from Coach Bob Ford. Mitchell, fresh off a record-setting 96-yard t o u c h d o w n re tu rn agains t Hofstra, ran for two touchdowns in the Buffalo game, including a 73-yard gallop on Albany's first offensive play of the game. "He 's going to be a great one," said Ford, who can already envision Mitchell, Soldini and Dana Melvin in the wishbone backfield next season. In the past, Mitchell has not been pleased with the treatment he's received since becoming a Great Dane last season.. As a freshman, he was assigned to junior varsity — a coaching decision he didn't revel in at the time. Until the last few weeks, Mitchell was returning kickoffs and played only a minor role in the wishbone. Now, after his recent performances, he has solidified his starting position. "This year I was expecting more playing time," said the August Martin graduate. "The last few weeks things have gotten a lot better." The saga of the Danes' freshman quarterback also keeps getting better. Jeff Russell, looking more in control of the wishbone than ever before, scored the Danes' third touchdown on a 13-yard keeper to cap a crucial 94-yard drive late in the third quarter. "That was a big one," said Russell, who was lifted in the fourth quarter to rest his battered body. "I felt good out there. I was making the right reads. The training staff did a great job getting me healthy enough to play." "He's getting better each day," said Ford. "He did a great job today." Safety Wayne Anderson was another key in the Danes' fourth victory. Besides playing an integral ro le in shutting down the Bulls' aerial attack (known as 'Dando's Airforce'), Anderson threw for a 39-yard touchdown pass off and fake punt and ran for a first down on another fake. Southpaw quarterback Ken Hyer threw an astronomical 46 times, completing 22 for 319 yards. Unfortunately for the Bulls, Hyer also completed four passes to the men wearing purple. Although Hyer's yardage was impressive, his interceptions were costly to Buffalo. Coaches are seldom pleased with turnovers. "Hyer didn't have a good game," said Buffalo coach Bill Dando. "He forced the ball too much. 1 feel sorry for the whole team, they embarassed themselves today." The Danes wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard Saturday. On their first offensive play, Russell made an excellent read, faking a handoff to Soldini and pitching the ball to Mitchell on the option. Mitchell turned the corner and 73 yards later the Danes were up a touchdown. Midway through the second period, the Bulls knotted the score assisted by a screen pass to running back Dane Hightower. The play netted 74 yards — 59 yards on the reception and an additional 15 on a late-hit penalty. Two more short completions to Hightower placed the ball on the two where Ted Stepien punched the ball in for the score. The Danes took a 14-7 lead, taking advantage of Jim Valentino's 42-yard interception return. A Chris Haynor 28-yard reverse play spoiled the ball at the nine. The next play Mitchell barrelled nine yards for his second touchdown of the day. Buffalo closed Ihe score to 14-10 by adding a 35-yard field goal 39 seconds before the half. The second half was dominated by the Danes, breaking open a tight contest by scoring one touchdown in the third and two in the fourth. What proved to be the biggest drive of the game started after Frank Sarcone in te rcepted another Hyer pass, killing a Bulls' scoring threat. The Danes then travelled 94 yards in 11 plays — 10 of them rushing. "We've moved the ball all year, but never as consistently as that," commented Ford. "That was a key drive." 21 •