Brancaccio made three key defensive plays during Albany’s 24-22 victory over Central Connecticut State including a last-minute, game-saving effort. After CCSU pulled within two points on a 14-yard touchdown pass with 55 seconds remaining in regulation, Brancaccio broke up a pass on the ensuing two-point conversion attempt to preserve Albany’s lead. Making a team-high 11 tackles (six solo), Brancaccio twice stopped an opposing ball carrier in crucial red zone situations. What could have amounted to 14 points for CCSU wound being only three due to the junior linebacker’s efforts. Brancaccio tackled CCSU’s Aubrey Norris at the Albany six-yard line on a 3rd-and-goal opportunity in holding the Blue Devils to a first-quarter field goal. After the Great Danes fumbled the opening kickoff of the second half, Brancaccio forced CCSU to turn the ball back over on downs by denying Eric Richardson in a 4th-and-1 situation at UA’s 19-yard line.