Danes just hold on against Cortland

Lalcly it seems ihc Danes arc making a habit o f playing their football contests down to the very Inst minute. Two weeks ago the Danes were shocked when a last gasp klckoff return by Southern Connecticut put a " o n e " in their loss column. This past Saturday, the Danes remained true to their recent form. Albany held its breath staving o f f a lute Cortland RedDragon comeback dr ive in the t r ad i t i ona l Homecoming game 27-20. With just 25 seconds remaining on the clock, the Dragons were making a final run at the Dunes from the Albany 41-yard line. Substitute quarterback Sam Mil l ich replacing Dragon starter Jay Cicply elected to go for the bomb on fourth down looking downfield for intended receiver Frank Hurm. The pass seemed to be right on target, but Albany defensive back Eric Newton successfully batted the ball away to save the game for Ihc Danes. " I was back there just in case something broke long , " said Newton. " H e made a great p lay," said Albany State head coach Dob Ford. " W e had Ihem, no question about it, but we kept letting them of f the hook . " The Danes did have many opportunities to slam the door on the visiting Red Dragons but Cortland hung in there and kept the game within reach throughout the day. The Danes scored on their very first possession of the game. Albany started at its own 23-yard line and marched 77 yards lo the Dragon end zone. On the one-yard line, quarterback Tom Pratt, who eventually left the game with an injury (sec other story) pitched right lo an awaiting John Dunham. The junior halfback bolted into the endzone for the first touchdown of the day and his sixth of the season. Dane place kicker Tom Lincoln missed a rare extra 13»SUE MINDICH UPS Dane quarterback Tom Pratt was forced to leave Saturday's game against Cortland with a hamstring pull. Both he and Jim Canfield also are doubtful for the Norwich game next week. Pratt, Canfield injured