ALBANY, N.Y. -- Albany scored twice on blocked punts after trailing early to beat Colgate 40-23 Saturday in the season opener for each team.

The Great Danes fell behind 10-0, then began a second-quarter comeback with a 61-yard scoring drive and a pair of blocked punts. The first, blocked by Andrew Smith, was recovered by Colgate in its own end zone for a safety. Ocieka Bakou blocked Colgate's next punt attempt about five minutes later, and Kyle Jordan returned it 19 yards for the go-ahead score with 3:22 left in the second quarter.

The teams exchanged touchdowns in the third quarter before a field goal and a Drew Smith touchdown expanded Albany's lead. Smith finished with 174 yards and two scores on 24 carries.

Colgate's Jordan McCord rushed for 136 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries, and Daniel Carson pulled in seven passes for 144 yards.