La Salle's Cam Stodghill looking to help guide defensive turnaround for UAlbany

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- There's been a lot of discussion this football offseason about the UAlbany offense, specifically the ongoing quarterback battle. That unit will be under a microscope this year after finishing second-to-last in the CAA in points per game in 2024. But the defense is also in need of an uptick in production this season.

The Great Danes were a force on that side of the ball in 2023, leading the CAA in sacks and holding their conference opponents to just 15.5 ppg. Last year, they were in the bottom half of the league in both those categories.

Defensive back Cam Stodghill could play a big role in UAlbany getting back to its stout defensive ways. The La Salle Institute product was fifth on the team in tackles (49.0) a season ago and was tied for the team lead in sacks (2.0).

With now two years of experience under his belt, Stodghill, a junior, is one of the more veteran presences on the team. He knows where the focus of the defense needs to be in order to see improvements this season.

"I think our effort in running to the ball has always been good, but there's never enough [effort]," said Stodghill. "I think that's something we can always improve on. And I think the unity as a group is something that is improving and will be better this year. We had a lot of new guys last year; we had to learn each other, how each [of us] played and who we were as people. I think this year that's gonna be a big step forward for us."

And the countdown to UAlbany's season opener continues. Gameday is less than three weeks out; the Danes travel to Iowa City for a battle with the Hawkeyes on Aug. 30.