The Cortland State Red Dragons (8-2) had little trouble defeating the Ithaca College Bombers (4-6) 27-3 on Saturday, to retain the Cortaca Jug. Senior quarterback Dan Pitcher had a masterful performance, completing 23-of-36 passes for 280 yards and 3 touchdowns. The senior rushed for an additional 94 yards, didn't throw an interception, and was never sacked.
Cortland rolled up 417 yards of offense to only 226 yards for Ithaca.
Cortland freshman Kordel McInnis caught seven passes for 73 yards, and John Babin grabbed five passes for a game-high 91 yards and a touchdown.
The Ithaca offensive line could not protect quarterback Jason Hendel. Hendel was sacked eight times, with eight different Red Dragons getting in on sacks.
The loss gave Ithaca its first losing season in 40 years. The Bombers have work to do to return to their proud tradition, as it was clear Dan Ruffrage (eight catches for 85 yards) was the only Ithaca player capable of stretching Cortland's defense. The Bombers typically have multiple players with big play ability.
Showing posts with label cortaca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cortaca. Show all posts
Rivalry Saturday
Tomorrow is the biggest Saturday of the Division 3 Eastern Region football season. Conference championships will be on the line, and annual rivalries will be settled. By the time the dust clears tomorrow evening, we should have a good idea how the NCAA Division 3 Football tournament brackets will shape up. The actual selections will be made on Sunday.
Widener at Delaware Valley
A long standing rivalry gets renewed this Saturday when the Delaware Valley Aggies hosts the Widener Pride in the annual Keystone Cup game. This season there is the added factor of the MAC Championship and an automatic playoff bid being on the line.
If that were not enough already, we have revenge on the minds of Delaware Valley. Last season Widener upset Delaware Valley 28-27 and caused the Aggies to potentially lose the #1 seed in Eastern Region. Instead Mount Union was imported from the North to be the East's number one seed. The Aggies were forced to travel to Alliance, Ohio on November 27, 2010, where they lost 31-3 to end their season.
Up until last Saturday, say around 3 pm or so, I was picking red hot Widener to end Delaware Valley's undefeated streak in 2011. But after witnessing Delaware Valley drive 54 yards in less than a minute for the winning touchdown against Lycoming on the road, I became a believer that the Aggies can indeed see this thing through.
Our pick? Delaware Valley to barely win a fast paced game with a moderate amount of scoring. Will it be enough to win them the #1 ranking, or will Mount Union come East again? We'll find out Sunday.
Kean at Montclair State
While this one doesn't have the historical significance of the Keystone Cup or the Cortaca Jug, the Kean Cougars and Montclair State Red Hawks are fast developing a new, intense rivalry. No less than three former Montclair players now coach at Kean, including head coach Dan Garrett. The schools are less than 20 miles apart, so it is likely many players on each roster were actively recruited by their opponent.
Kean with Tom D'Ambrisi has the superior passing game. Montclair with Chris D'Andrea has a better ground attack. Both defenses are quick, hard hitting units which make few mistakes and keep the play in front of them.
The winner gets more than just bragging rights. They get the NJAC Championship trophy and a stamped ticket to the big dance. The loser is almost certainly out of the playoff hunt, and has the choice of playing an ECAC bowl next Saturday.
Our pick is Montclair in a tough, defensive struggle. Look for a late score or turnover to swing this one.
Cortland at Ithaca
They call it the Cortaca Jug. Sports Illustrated once called it the Biggest Little Game in the Nation. With the Cortland State Red Dragons seemingly out of the playoff hunt, and the Ithaca College Bombers having its first non-winning season in 40 years, this game will not carry the same regional implications in 2011.
However playing your biggest rival in front of 10,000 to 12,000 fans tends to motivate you.
Cortland has the offensive advantage on paper, though Ithaca may have as much talent on defense, and perhaps even more on special teams. Ithaca also has recent history on its side, having won three consecutive Cortaca Jugs through 2009, before Cortland took the Jug back last season.
It may be a cliche, but you truly never know what is going to happen between these two teams until they take the field. In 2003, Cortland was a 5-5 team. Ithaca came one game from winning the Eastern Region finals in the NCAA tournament. But Cortland stunned Ithaca 16-15 in the Cortaca Jug, likely costing the Bombers a shot at home field advantage in the playoffs.
In 2008, Cortland went undefeated in the NJAC and made it to the NCAA Eastern Region finals before falling to mighty Mount Union. Ithaca bombed Cortland 35-13 on the road to take away a chance at a #1 seed for Cortland and home field advantage in the playoffs. Ithaca lost to Curry in the first round of the playoffs, who then lost to Cortland 42-0, creating a bizarre triangle of results.
Our pick? This one will be closer than anyone seems to think it will be. Look for a turnover or big special teams play to be the difference. As much as I am tempted to pick Ithaca for the upset, I think Dan Pitcher and Cortland will find a way to pull it out.
Join Us Saturday
Remember to join us tomorrow evening as we analyze the day's results, and choose which eastern teams we think will be in the NCAA tournament.
Widener at Delaware Valley
A long standing rivalry gets renewed this Saturday when the Delaware Valley Aggies hosts the Widener Pride in the annual Keystone Cup game. This season there is the added factor of the MAC Championship and an automatic playoff bid being on the line.
If that were not enough already, we have revenge on the minds of Delaware Valley. Last season Widener upset Delaware Valley 28-27 and caused the Aggies to potentially lose the #1 seed in Eastern Region. Instead Mount Union was imported from the North to be the East's number one seed. The Aggies were forced to travel to Alliance, Ohio on November 27, 2010, where they lost 31-3 to end their season.
Up until last Saturday, say around 3 pm or so, I was picking red hot Widener to end Delaware Valley's undefeated streak in 2011. But after witnessing Delaware Valley drive 54 yards in less than a minute for the winning touchdown against Lycoming on the road, I became a believer that the Aggies can indeed see this thing through.
Our pick? Delaware Valley to barely win a fast paced game with a moderate amount of scoring. Will it be enough to win them the #1 ranking, or will Mount Union come East again? We'll find out Sunday.
Kean at Montclair State
While this one doesn't have the historical significance of the Keystone Cup or the Cortaca Jug, the Kean Cougars and Montclair State Red Hawks are fast developing a new, intense rivalry. No less than three former Montclair players now coach at Kean, including head coach Dan Garrett. The schools are less than 20 miles apart, so it is likely many players on each roster were actively recruited by their opponent.
Kean with Tom D'Ambrisi has the superior passing game. Montclair with Chris D'Andrea has a better ground attack. Both defenses are quick, hard hitting units which make few mistakes and keep the play in front of them.
The winner gets more than just bragging rights. They get the NJAC Championship trophy and a stamped ticket to the big dance. The loser is almost certainly out of the playoff hunt, and has the choice of playing an ECAC bowl next Saturday.
Our pick is Montclair in a tough, defensive struggle. Look for a late score or turnover to swing this one.
Cortland at Ithaca
They call it the Cortaca Jug. Sports Illustrated once called it the Biggest Little Game in the Nation. With the Cortland State Red Dragons seemingly out of the playoff hunt, and the Ithaca College Bombers having its first non-winning season in 40 years, this game will not carry the same regional implications in 2011.
However playing your biggest rival in front of 10,000 to 12,000 fans tends to motivate you.
Cortland has the offensive advantage on paper, though Ithaca may have as much talent on defense, and perhaps even more on special teams. Ithaca also has recent history on its side, having won three consecutive Cortaca Jugs through 2009, before Cortland took the Jug back last season.
It may be a cliche, but you truly never know what is going to happen between these two teams until they take the field. In 2003, Cortland was a 5-5 team. Ithaca came one game from winning the Eastern Region finals in the NCAA tournament. But Cortland stunned Ithaca 16-15 in the Cortaca Jug, likely costing the Bombers a shot at home field advantage in the playoffs.
In 2008, Cortland went undefeated in the NJAC and made it to the NCAA Eastern Region finals before falling to mighty Mount Union. Ithaca bombed Cortland 35-13 on the road to take away a chance at a #1 seed for Cortland and home field advantage in the playoffs. Ithaca lost to Curry in the first round of the playoffs, who then lost to Cortland 42-0, creating a bizarre triangle of results.
Our pick? This one will be closer than anyone seems to think it will be. Look for a turnover or big special teams play to be the difference. As much as I am tempted to pick Ithaca for the upset, I think Dan Pitcher and Cortland will find a way to pull it out.
Join Us Saturday
Remember to join us tomorrow evening as we analyze the day's results, and choose which eastern teams we think will be in the NCAA tournament.
Cortaca Jug - History on the Line
Pride and history will be on the line this Saturday when the Cortland State Red Dragons (7-2) visit Butterfield Stadium to face the Ithaca College Bombers (4-5) in the annual Cortaca Jug.
The game garnered the nickname "Biggest Little Game in the Nation" from Sports Illustrated, and typically attracts more than 10,000 fans. The Cortaca Jug could easily attract 12,000 to 15,000 fans, but the schools cap the amount of tickets available for safety concerns inside their on campus stadiums.
Ithaca leads the series 34-18, but Cortland has a slim 8-7 lead in the last 15 years.
Much has changed since the 1970s and 1980s, when Ithaca College was a national powerhouse and Cortland was a program struggling to survive. Between 1969 and 1991, Ithaca dominated the series 19-4, and captured three national championships.
But the tide began to turn in 1988. Under head coach Dennis Kayser, Cortland won its first eight games of the season prior to Cortaca. Ithaca was also undefeated in its first eight games, setting the stage for one of the biggest Division 3 football games played that season. On the old Davis Field in Cortland, the Red Dragons stunned Ithaca College 21-20 behind the running of Garreth Grayson and throwing of quarterback Rich Keefer.
Ithaca avenged the Cortaca loss, defeating Cortland 24-17 in the national quarterfinals just three weeks later. The Bombers went on to destroy Ferrum 62-28 in the semifinals, and Central 39-24 in the championship game behind the spectacular running of Mike Scott. The way Ithaca dominated the semifinal and championship games led many polls to rank Cortland #2 in the nation at the end of the 1988. So it could be argued that the 1988 Cortaca Jug game was played between the two best teams in the nation.
While Cortland has become a consistent force in upstate New York football since opening its on campus stadium in 2002, the once dominant Ithaca program has struggled to live up to its own lofty expectations. This seasons marks the first time in 40 years that Ithaca will not finish with a winning record. The Bombers will be playing for pride and history this Saturday, as it begins the road back to upstate New York dominance.
Cortland appears to have the edge on paper. Senior quarterback Dan Pitcher has thrown for over 2100 yards with a fantastic 168.1 Passing Efficiency Rating. John Babin has emerged as one of Eastern Region's top wide receivers, catching 63 passes in 9 games for 1019 yards and a school record 14 touchdowns. The Red Dragons lost star running back Justin Autera to injury in the second game of the season. But senior Dorian Myles and freshman Bronson Green have combined for over 1200 yards rushing, with Myles averaging 5.3 yards per carry behind a big, veteran offensive line.
The Ithaca offense has struggled to score points throughout 2011. The Bombers average only 20 points per game, well below their normal output. Normally a team which prides itself on its running game, the Bombers average only 3.0 yards per carry as a team. The passing game has been mistake prone, with 15 interceptions to only nine touchdowns thrown. Quarterback Phil Neumann is coming off a disappointing game against Alfred, where he completed only 10-of-31 passes.
But this is Cortaca. Anyone who follows Cortaca knows anything can happen once the game starts. In fact, nine of the last 12 Cortaca Jug games have been decided by seven points or less, with two games decided in overtime.
There are kinks in the Red Dragons' armor, and reason to believe Ithaca has a good chance to win. Cortland is coming off a confusing defensive effort against Brockport, where it yielded 549 yards of offense and 42 points to a 2-7 football team. Brockport scored 24 points and had over 370 yards of offense prior to half-time.
Cortland kicker Marc Corrado has attempted only 8 field goals this season, with a long of 31 yards. He is just 1-of-3 from beyond 30. The Red Dragons return game of Kadeem Miller (21.2 yards per return) and John Babin (22.6 yards per return) has been average, and nowhere near the explosiveness it had with Autera returning kicks. In games which are historically close, special teams can play a huge factor. Ithaca may have the special teams edge.
The Bombers also have recent history on its side. Ithaca has won three of the last four Cortaca Jugs, and Cortland as a team has struggled against Empire-8 foes such as Alfred University and St. John Fisher.
Like most Cortaca Jug games, I expect this one will come down to a key special teams play, or a turnover. I don't buy Cortland as an overwhelming favorite.
The only thing I am absolutely sure of is that the sell-out crowd will see another incredible game between these two upstate New York rivals. See you Saturday!
What are some of your favorite memories from Cortaca?
The game garnered the nickname "Biggest Little Game in the Nation" from Sports Illustrated, and typically attracts more than 10,000 fans. The Cortaca Jug could easily attract 12,000 to 15,000 fans, but the schools cap the amount of tickets available for safety concerns inside their on campus stadiums.
Ithaca leads the series 34-18, but Cortland has a slim 8-7 lead in the last 15 years.
But the tide began to turn in 1988. Under head coach Dennis Kayser, Cortland won its first eight games of the season prior to Cortaca. Ithaca was also undefeated in its first eight games, setting the stage for one of the biggest Division 3 football games played that season. On the old Davis Field in Cortland, the Red Dragons stunned Ithaca College 21-20 behind the running of Garreth Grayson and throwing of quarterback Rich Keefer.
Ithaca avenged the Cortaca loss, defeating Cortland 24-17 in the national quarterfinals just three weeks later. The Bombers went on to destroy Ferrum 62-28 in the semifinals, and Central 39-24 in the championship game behind the spectacular running of Mike Scott. The way Ithaca dominated the semifinal and championship games led many polls to rank Cortland #2 in the nation at the end of the 1988. So it could be argued that the 1988 Cortaca Jug game was played between the two best teams in the nation.
While Cortland has become a consistent force in upstate New York football since opening its on campus stadium in 2002, the once dominant Ithaca program has struggled to live up to its own lofty expectations. This seasons marks the first time in 40 years that Ithaca will not finish with a winning record. The Bombers will be playing for pride and history this Saturday, as it begins the road back to upstate New York dominance.
Cortland appears to have the edge on paper. Senior quarterback Dan Pitcher has thrown for over 2100 yards with a fantastic 168.1 Passing Efficiency Rating. John Babin has emerged as one of Eastern Region's top wide receivers, catching 63 passes in 9 games for 1019 yards and a school record 14 touchdowns. The Red Dragons lost star running back Justin Autera to injury in the second game of the season. But senior Dorian Myles and freshman Bronson Green have combined for over 1200 yards rushing, with Myles averaging 5.3 yards per carry behind a big, veteran offensive line.
The Ithaca offense has struggled to score points throughout 2011. The Bombers average only 20 points per game, well below their normal output. Normally a team which prides itself on its running game, the Bombers average only 3.0 yards per carry as a team. The passing game has been mistake prone, with 15 interceptions to only nine touchdowns thrown. Quarterback Phil Neumann is coming off a disappointing game against Alfred, where he completed only 10-of-31 passes.
But this is Cortaca. Anyone who follows Cortaca knows anything can happen once the game starts. In fact, nine of the last 12 Cortaca Jug games have been decided by seven points or less, with two games decided in overtime.
There are kinks in the Red Dragons' armor, and reason to believe Ithaca has a good chance to win. Cortland is coming off a confusing defensive effort against Brockport, where it yielded 549 yards of offense and 42 points to a 2-7 football team. Brockport scored 24 points and had over 370 yards of offense prior to half-time.
Cortland kicker Marc Corrado has attempted only 8 field goals this season, with a long of 31 yards. He is just 1-of-3 from beyond 30. The Red Dragons return game of Kadeem Miller (21.2 yards per return) and John Babin (22.6 yards per return) has been average, and nowhere near the explosiveness it had with Autera returning kicks. In games which are historically close, special teams can play a huge factor. Ithaca may have the special teams edge.
The Bombers also have recent history on its side. Ithaca has won three of the last four Cortaca Jugs, and Cortland as a team has struggled against Empire-8 foes such as Alfred University and St. John Fisher.
Like most Cortaca Jug games, I expect this one will come down to a key special teams play, or a turnover. I don't buy Cortland as an overwhelming favorite.
The only thing I am absolutely sure of is that the sell-out crowd will see another incredible game between these two upstate New York rivals. See you Saturday!
What are some of your favorite memories from Cortaca?