UNION, N.J. - Sophomore Justin Autera (Mahopac) scored three touchdowns, including an 85-yard kickoff return on the game's opening play, as Cortland opened its season with a 24-12 victory at Kean University.

In addition to his kickoff return score, Autera also caught an 18-yard TD pass in the first quarter and rushed for a 12-yard run to complete the scoring with 5:19 left in the game. He also nearly scored on a punt return, but he was tackled at the 5-yard line after a 55-yard runback in the fourth quarter. Autera finished with 47 yards on 10 rushes and three catches for 36 yards.

Dom Sair (Huntington) ran 21 times for 77 yards and Dan PItcher (Cortland) completed 11-of-20 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown. Marc Corrado (Newburgh/Newburgh Free Academy) made a 33-yard field goal with 1:55 left in the first quarter that gave Cortland a 17-0 lead.

Kean (0-1) pulled to within 17-6 on an 8-yard TD pass from Tom D'Ambrisi to Louis Haynes with 4:07 left in the first half, but missed the extra point. The Cougars' 41-yard field goal attempt late in the half was blocked by senior Matt Kaufmann (Lynbrook/Kellenberg Memorial).

Kean cut the Cortland lead to 17-12 on Jason Gwaltney's 15-yard TD catch from D'Ambrisi with 3:46 remaining in the third quarter. A low snap, however, led to a failed PAT attempt.

D'Ambrisi finished 19-of-29 passing for 197 yards, but was intercepted three times - twice by Joe Lopez (Port Jefferson Station/Comsewogue) and once by Bill Smith (Nanuet). Gwaltney ran for 77 yards on 17 carries, while Haynes and Matt Puorro caught six passes each.

Cody Allen (Medina) led Cortland with 10 tackles and Smith made eight stops. Evan Wyler (Warwick/Warwick Valley) recorded seven tackles, two for losses. Jerelle Peay paced Kan with 11 tackles and Jamahl Williams had nine tackles and a forced fumble.

Cortland will host Buffalo State on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 1 p.m.


Box Score/Play-by-Play