|
| The Red Dragons lost their
first four games, the first two in gut-wrenching fashion. But they
won the next three and haven't been mathematically eliminated from
their final NJAC race. Yet. Cortland athletics photo |
It's been a weird season for Dan MacNeill and the Cortland State Red Dragons.
Weird actually might be putting too softly. After two of the most bizarre, painful losses in MacNeill's memory, and after four consecutive losses to open the season, Cortland has won its last three to put itself back in the NJAC picture.
Mortification, astonishment, frustration, validation, redemption -- they have all applied at one point or another this season.
But here Cortland sits, with three games remaining, with an outside shot at the conference crown. The Red Dragons host current conference leader Montclair State this Saturday in a must-win matchup.
"We'll see," MacNeill said. "We've got Montclair coming in here and what a plum for our guys to pick."
After the first four games of the season, a late-season run at a conference title seemed out of reach. Cortland lost to Buffalo State, Brockport State, Morrisville State and Rowan, but it was the way the Red Dragons lost, particularly early on, that was deflating.
In the Buffalo State game, Cortland led 48-45 with six seconds to play, but faced a fourth-and-14 situation. Rather than attempt a punt and risk having it blocked, MacNeill opted to have the punter simply run backwards to drain the final six seconds.
It was a simple concept, but even the simplest of football plays needs to be sharpened in practice. Cortland hadn't practiced it, and the play ended with one second still remaining. That allowed Buffalo State kicker Marc Montana to drill a 49-yard field goal to force overtime, where Cortland eventually lost.
The following week, against Brockport State, Cortland again found itself in a crucial late-game situation. The Red Dragons trailed 17-14, but after a 41-yard kickoff return by Peter Smith, began their drive deep in Brockport territory. They eventually moved the ball down to the 1-yard line, where MacNeill decided he'd kick the tying field goal and carry momentum into overtime.
But Cortland, without any timeouts and the clock running, was flagged for delay of game, an intentional move to give the field goal unit more room to operate. Unbeknownst to the Cortland side, because they were out of timeouts, a 10-second runoff was assessed, ending the game.
"It never has ever happened to me two times in my career, and to have it happen two times in a row, woo man, that's something," MacNeill said. "... I still feel really regretful about those two games."
Cortland then dropped a back-and-forth, 38-31 decision to Morrisville State before bottoming out with a lopsided 38-14 loss to Rowan. At that point, the season could have spiraled out of control.
But, to the team's credit, MacNeill said the players maintained the same enthusiasm.
"It's a super team, and that is why we've climbed back into it," MacNeill said. "It isn't maybe just one individual here or there."
Defensive back Andrew Tolosi, defensive lineman Joe DeLuca and offensive lineman Greg Kolodinsky, the team's three senior captains, have played prominent roles not just in the locker room as leaders, but on the field as key starters.
Senior Gabe Ostrow and junior Jake Ceresna have had strong seasons along the defensive line. Junior running back Dylan Peebles, junior wide receiver Jack Delahunty and sophomore wide receiver Jon Mannix have been consistent contributors for an offense that lost standout senior wide receiver John Babin to injury. Junior quarterback John Grassi opened the season by passing for 487 yards and three touchdowns against Buffalo State, but has had ups and downs throughout the season's seven games.
Cortland isn't a young team in the sense that it's relying on freshmen and sophomores at multiple positions, but the team only has nine seniors. MacNeill credits the program's strong foundation to previous players, who have helped make Cortland a consistent contender since joining the NJAC in 2000.
To be clear, Cortland still faces an uphill battle in this season's conference race. The Red Dragons would need to win their final two NJAC games against Montclair State and William Paterson, which would put them at 5-2 in the conference.
They would then need Rowan to lose two of its final three conference games (Southern Virginia, Kean, TCNJ), Morrisville State to lose its two remaining conference games (William Paterson, Montclair State), and Montclair State to lose to Kean.
The point is, it seems unlikely. But it also seemed unlikely, back in early October, that Cortland would find itself still in the mix entering November.
"Our kids understand that if they give it their best shot, we have an opportunity to do our best," MacNeill said.
Widener wins key MAC showdown
With its win this past Saturday, Widener turned the the MAC into a two-team race.
The Pride defeated Lycoming, 34-17, and in the process went up two games on the Warriors with three to play. Both Widener and Delaware Valley sit at a perfect 7-0 (6-0 in conference).
Widener's defense has been one of the best in the country this season. The Pride is allowing a mere 8.9 points per game, the sixth-lowest mark in Division III. Against Lycoming, Widener forced two turnovers and sacked quarterback Tyler Jenny five times.
The lethal combination of Seth Klein (347 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Anthony Davis (8 receptions, 165 yards, touchdown) was again clicking, while Terrant Morrison (82 rushing yards) led a ground attack that picked up 167 yards.
Widener plays Stevenson and King's over the next two games, while Delaware Valley plays King's and FDU-Florham. If both teams win those matchups, they will enter play on Nov. 15 with 9-0 records and the MAC title on the line.
St. Lawrence takes down Springfield
They've done it quietly, but the St. Lawrence Saints have kept pace with Hobart in the Liberty League.
St. Lawrence defeated Springfield, 21-7, behind an impressive defensive showing to improve to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the conference. The Saints held Springfield's dangerous triple-option rushing attack to just 159 yards on 49 attempts (3.2 yards per carry). When Springfield tried to pass it, St. Lawrence was ready, intercepting Jonathan Marrero three times (including two by Leondre Simmon).
After a 10-7 loss to Norwich in its second game of the season, St. Lawrence has rattled off five straight wins. After a road game at WPI this weekend, the Saints host Hobart in a game that will likely decide the Liberty League champion.
The wacky, wild Empire 8
Six of the nine teams in the Empire 8 have either three or four conference wins.
St. John Fisher leads the pack, but has lost to Salisbury. Salisbury has lost to both Ithaca and Buffalo State. Ithaca has lost to Buffalo State and Frostburg State. Buffalo State has lost to Alfred and Utica.
You get the point. The Empire 8, as we enter the final month of the regular season, is wide open. My colleague, Ryan Tipps, will tackle the Empire 8 race in more depth in this week's Around the Nation column.
Quick hits
Chris Holoman rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns on just three carries, Marcus Jemison had three of Hobart's six sacks and the Statesmen cruised past RPI, 35-3. ... Tom Dempsey passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns and Ithaca's defense held Salisbury's potent rushing attack to just 74 yards in a 32-7 win. ... Denzel Nieves rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, and Gabe Dimasi tossed two TDs in Montclair State's 20-16 win over Rowan in a key NJAC matchup. ... Tyler Fenti passed for 192 yards and four touchdowns and St. John Fisher's defense allowed just seven first downs and 61 total yards in a 61-0 shutout win against Alfred State. ... Aaron Wilmer passed for 292 yards and a pair of TDs, while Chris Smallwood rushed for 83 yards and four scores in Delaware Valley's lopsided 41-7 win against Misericordia. ... Lemar Johnson passed for 292 yards, rushed for 117 yards and accounted for four total TDs, while Cristian Pena rushed for 108 yards and another two touchdowns as Morrisville State defeated Southern Virginia, 47-23. ... Dan Andrews rushed for 185 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown late in the first half, and Brockport State held off a late Hartwick drive for a 17-12 victory. ... Trey Lee rushed for 153 yards and four touchdowns as Stevenson routed FDU-Florham, 57-0. ... Andrew Luzzi recovered a blocked punt for a touchdown and David Pope connected on all three of his field goal attempts as Union topped Rochester, 16-14, for its first win of the season. ... Connor Butkiewicz passed for 250 yards and two TDs and a defensive effort led by Nick Woodman (three sacks) helped Utica knock off Buffalo State, 31-21. ... Chris Dawson scored on a 23-yard run in overtime, his second TD run of the game, to help Albright defeat King's, 30-24. ... Tyler Johnson ran for 108 yards and the only two touchdowns of the game in Alfred's 14-3 victory against Frostburg State. ... Trey Pierce rushed for 146 yards and a score, and WPI's defense stopped Merchant Marine's two-point conversion attempt in overtime to clinch a 24-23 win. ... Anthony DiMarsico scored a pair of touchdowns and Jason Montalvo returned an interception 17 yards for a score in William Paterson's 21-0 win over TCNJ. ... Brendon Irving rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns as Lebanon Valley cruised past Wilkes, 46-0.
Top 25: Widener continues climb
Widener moved up four spots to No. 12 in this week's D3football.com top 25 poll, representing the biggest leap for an East region team.
Hobart and St. John Fisher held steady at No. 8 and No. 15, respectively. Delaware Valley climbed two spots to No. 21.
Montclair State, Salisbury and Ithaca each received votes this week.
Looking ahead
Buffalo State (5-2, 3-2) at No. 15 St. John Fisher (6-1, 4-1), noon, Saturday: Tough matchup here for the Cardinals. When Buffalo State is on its game, its a tough team to beat. The Bengals have already beaten Salisbury and Ithaca this season.
Ithaca (5-2, 4-2) at Brockport State (5-2, 3-2), 1 p.m., Saturday: With a win, Brockport State would leapfrog Ithaca in the Empire 8 standings. A win coupled with a Buffalo State win would create a multi-team tie atop the conference standings.
Stevenson (5-2, 4-2) at No. 12 Widener (7-0, 6-0), 1 p.m., Saturday: Tough spot for a Stevenson team that has beaten everyone it's faced, except conference heavyweights Lycoming and Delaware Valley. Widener is as good, if not better than both of those teams.
Other games of note: Alfred (4-3, 2-3) at Salisbury (4-3, 3-2), noon, Saturday; Montclair State (6-1, 4-0) at Cortland State (3-4, 3-2), 1 p.m., Saturday.
Contact me
I'm always happy to hear from you, whether its questions, feedback or story ideas. Please reach out to me by email at andrew.lovell@d3sports.com and follow me on Twitter (@andrew_lovell).
