Iowa football hosts Albany in first-ever matchup to open 2025 season

IOWA CITY — Dust off the black and gold game jerseys, cleats and gloves. It’s finally Week 1.

Iowa football hosts UAlbany in a first-ever matchup between the two programs to begin the 2025 season. It’s a battle between Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz’s 27 seasons of experience and the debut of a new Great Danes leader.

Interim head coach Jared Ambrose took over Albany’s program in March, after former head coach Greg Gattuso stepped down to take a defensive line analyst job at Penn State. Amborse made one appearance as a head coach two seasons ago, filling in for Gattuso when he was sick, but this weekend marks his official debut as a head coach.

Ambrose has an opportunity to make a big first impression, both as a head coach and to the entire FCS landscape. He said last week Albany’s goal this year is to be the “most aggressive team in college football,” and that first test comes in a sold-out Kinnick Stadium.

“I want to see them not allow the circumstances of the game, the crowd noise, the gravity of the stadium being larger than what we're used to playing and not be an issue for them,” Ambrose said Monday morning. “And just focus on their job and play hard. And I think any team who does that for four straight quarters is going to be pleased with the result of how they played.”

The Hawkeyes will finally display their offense under second-year offensive coordinator Tim Lester and transfer quarterback Mark Gronowski, as well as the new faces lining up on defense.

So just as it’s Ambrose’s shot for a first impression as a head coach, it’s Iowa’s first impression in front of its fans.

Here’s five Albany players to know ahead of Saturday’s season opener.

QB Jack Shields

Shields won the starting quarterback job just a week ago, beating out Marshall transfer Colin Paracheck and Georgia Tech transfer Aidan Semo. Shields spent last season at University at Buffalo and three seasons at Old Dominion, making two starts with the Monarchs.

“He does everything right,” Ambrose said. “So he protects the ball, you know, finds the open guy. So I feel really strong about our quarterback position.”

This will be Shields’ first collegiate start since September 2023 against Marshall.

DB Brad Igweike

Though on the smaller side for a defensive back, the 5-foot-9 DB is making his return to college football for the first time since the 2023 season.

Igweike suffered an injury that sidelined him for the entire 2024 season, but played in all 15 games during the Danes’ FCS semifinals run in ’23.

RB Jojo Uga

Iowa’s defense will see a young running back for Albany in Uga. The 208-pound sophomore played in 11 games as a true freshman, rushing for 422 yards and six touchdowns in 100 attempts.

He was the team’s leading rusher last season, scoring at least one touchdown in five consecutive games, and is expected to be handle the large majority of touches again this year.

WR Kylen Austin

Austin joined Albany via the transfer portal in the offseason after three seasons at Liberty University. He spent most of his collegiate experience on special teams, but played in 13 of the Flames’ 14 games last season.

Albany has three returning receivers with more than 100 receiving yards last season, with the highest at just 307 yards.

DB Thomas Joe-Kamara

Joe-Kamara is the only player on Albany’s roster who received an All-CAA preseason nod. Joe-Kamara was named an honorable mention after spending two seasons at Monmouth and three seasons at Temple.

While at Monmouth, Joe-Kamara tallied 111 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, an interception and a pass breakup. He’s one of the oldest players on Albany’s roster, and the Great Danes have used him at both safety positions throughout the preseason.

Comments: madison.hricik@thegazette.com