Albany, NY – Dan DiLella threw four touchdown passes on 21, and earned its first FCS playoff champion.
Albany (8-3, 7-1) shared the title with Duquesne (9-2, 7-1), but won the tie- breaker for the NEC's automatic playoff bid because of its 38-10 victory in their head-to-head meeting Oct. 8.
DiLella's third touchdown pass, a 14-yarder to Ryan Kirchner with 9:24 left in the third quarter, broke a 14-14 tie and put the Great Danes ahead for good.
DiLella finished 19-for-29 for 165 yards. Kircher caught seven passes for 69 yards, including three touchdowns.
Drew Smith led Albany on the ground with 135 yards on 23 carries.
Sacred Heart quarterback Drew Little was 27 of 44 for 265 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions. The Pioneers finished the season with a 5-6 record, including 3-5 in the NEC.
The NCAA will announce the 20-team FCS playoff field Sunday morning.
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