CORTLAND, N.Y. – The Cortland defensive unit had stellar outing as the nationally ninth-ranked Red Dragons defeated the Rowan Profs, 24-14. Senior defensive lineman Bryan Wiley (Cape Vincent/Thousand Islands) had a game-high 15 tackles, including three for losses. Cortland (2-0, 2-0 NJAC) held Rowan scoreless for the final 34 minutes, 25 seconds.

Sophomore linebacker Cody Allen (Medina) also had double-digit tackles with 11. Wiley's partner on the defensive line, senior Evan Wyler (Warwick/Warwick Valley), added seven tackles and a sack.

Despite being outgained in total offense, 319-283, Cortland held the ball for 36:43, including almost 20 minutes in the first half. The Red Dragons held the Profs (1-1, 0-1) to 4 of 14 success on third down attempts.

The defense started the game hot as freshman defensive back Steven Lenhart (Ticonderoga) jarred the ball loose from Rowan running back Ryan Leafey (Westville/Deptford) on the second play of the game. Junior defensive back Jamell Scott (Yonkers/Gorton) picked up the fumble and returned it five yards to the Rowan 41-yard line.

Quarterback Dan Pitcher (Cortland) quickly led the Red Dragons on a nine-play touchdown drive, capped off by a seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Hajnos (Grand Island) to give the Red Dragons an early 7-0 lead. Pitcher finished the day going 14 of 27 for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Hajnos led all receivers with five receptions for 54 yards.

Rowan defensive back Malcolm Dock (Phillipsburg) set the Profs up with excellent field position later in the quarter with an interception on a deflection that put the ball on the Red Dragons' 15-yard line. Leafey then took the ball up the middle for a touchdown on the very next play to even up the score at 7-7 with just over a minute left in the first quarter. Leafey led all rushers with 124 yards on 21 carries.

In the second quarter, Pitcher found senior wide receiver Wayne Wheeler (Memphis/Jordan-Elbridge) on a post pattern for a 21-yard touchdown to put Cortland back on top 14-7. The reception was the first collegiate touchdown for Wheeler, who finished with 40 yards on four catches.

Rowan was able to answer again though as quarterback Tim Hagerty (Glassboro) broke off a 34-yard run to tie the game at 14 with 4:25 left in the half. Hagerty, starting in place of injured Frank Wilczynski (Pine Hill/Overbrook), took a quarterback draw up the middle, followed his blockers, cut right and outran the defense to the pylon. Hagerty finished with 28 yards on seven carries and also completed 9 of 17 passes for 114 yards.

Pitcher led his team down the field on a 10-play drive to set up a Marc Corrado (Newburgh/Newburgh Free Academy) 21-yard field goal on the final play of the half to give Cortland the lead for good at 17-14. Pitcher was 4 of 5 on the drive for 29 yards.

A scoreless third quarter featured five punts before junior fullback Dom Sair (Huntington) found the end zone for his first career touchdown to give the Red Dragons a 24-14 lead with just over 12 minutes left to play. Sophomore cornerback D.J. Romano (Newburgh/Newburgh Free Academy) intercepted a Hagerty pass to start the scoring drive at the Cortland 35-yard line. Two plays later, Pitcher threw a quick pass to junior wide receiver Anthony Giuliano (Thornwood/Westlake), who broke loose for a 54-yard gain to set up the Sair touchdown. Pitcher left the game on the Red Dragons' next possession with an injury and junior Hudson Woodward (Beacon) took his place.

Rowan threatened to answer after the Cortland touchdown as the Profs went 53 yards on nine plays, but a missed 25-yard field goal kept the Red Dragon lead at 10. Rowan's final two possessions ended on down inside the Cortland 40-yard line.

Cory Russell (La Fayette) led the Red Dragons on the ground with 48 yards on 19 carries. Rowan defensive lineman Kyle Kane (Toms River) had two sacks for the Profs, while linebackers Kevin Taylor (Westwood/Westwood Reg.) and Andrew Yezzi (Franklinville/Delsea Reg.) led the team with 10 tackles apiece.

Cortland stays at home next week as they welcome Kean University and Rowan will travel to William Paterson on Saturday, both in NJAC games.


Box Score/Play-by-Play


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