SUNY CORTLAND FOOTBALL NOTES
Cortland Red Dragons (5-0, 3-0 Empire 8) vs. Alfred University Saxons (3-2, 1-1 Empire 8)
Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024; 1 p.m.; Yunevich Stadium; Alfred, N.Y.

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THE MATCHUP: Nationally second-ranked Cortland travels to Alfred University for an Empire 8 showdown. The Red Dragons have opened the season with a 5-0 record, including 3-0 in league play, while Alfred is 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the conference. Cortland enters the game with a 17-game winning streak dating back to last season.
                                                   
THE SERIES: Alfred leads the all-time series 31-16-1, but Cortland has won the last four meetings and six of the last eight. The Red Dragons were victorious at Alfred in 2022 (31-8) and at home in 2023 (59-21), 2021 (47-3), 2019 (31-21), 2017 (20-17 in overtime) and 2015 (20-14), while the Saxons won on their turf in 2018 (38-33) and 2016 (41-28). The 2021 and 2022 wins each clinched Empire 8 titles for the Red Dragons.
 
Prior to 2015, Alfred won 12 straight in the series; nine in a row from 1977-86 along with an NCAA second-round game at Cortland in 2010 and the ECAC North Central Bowl at Alfred in 2013. The schools first met on the gridiron in a night game at Alfred in 1940, played again in 1946 and 1947, and faced each other every year from 1952-86.
 
Last year, Cortland scored touchdowns on its first eight possessions in a 59-21 home win over the Saxons at Grady Field. Zac Boyes completed 19-of-22 passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns and ran for a score. Rashad  Tucker caught seven passes for 96 yards and two TDs and Jaden AlfanoStJohn ran nine times for 81 yards and a score. Ravi Dass Jr. returned a punt 63 yards for a TD in the first quarter. Sam Cotton led Cortland with eight tackles and JC  Mertz had six tackles and an interception. Alfred's Derek Johnson was 13-of-26 passing for 100 yards and two TDs and ran for a TD. Joe Copp and Keenan Ollison finished with 14 and 10 tackles, respectively.
 
CORTLAND CAPSULE: Cortland won an Empire 8 contest last Saturday at Utica, 45-7, as Jaden AlfanoStJohn and Ethan Gallo each scored two touchdowns. The Red Dragons' defense registered three interceptions - two by Ellis Einbinder and one by Matt Ferrer. Einbinder finished with nine tackles and was named the Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Frankie Ciaramitaro led the team with 10 tackles. Zac Boyes was 11-of-17 passing for 182 yards and a TD and ran 13 times for 82 yards. Gallo finished with 90 yards on 16 carries. Mike Baloga made a career-high 43-yard field goal and all six of his PAT kicks to earn Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
 
Cortland ranks fourth nationally in Division III in scoring at 54.4 points per game. The Red Dragons are ninth nationally in total defense, allowing 214.2 yards per game, and 12th in scoring defense (10.4 points per game), and they are 10th in both total offense (502.8 yards per game) and rushing offense (256.6 yards per game).
 
Boyes is 72-for-100 passing for 1,064 yards and 10 touchdowns with no interceptions through five games. He ranks ninth nationally in both completion percentage (72.0) and passing efficiency (194.4 rating). Gallo averages 99.8 rushing yards per game and is second nationally with both 11 rushing touchdowns and 13.2 points scored per game. Jayson Zeva leads the team with 26 receptions and is second with 323 receiving yards and three receiving TD. AlfanoStJohn has 21 receptions for team highs of 431 yards and six receiving touchdowns.
 
Jaden Martinez is the Cortland leader with 44 tackles and two forced fumbles. Jack Winey has made 34 tackles and Einbinder has 28 tackles with two interceptions and two pass breakups. Martinez and Nick Lardaro each have 1.5 sacks and Ryan Isom and Nazair Jean-Lubin share the team lead with three pass breakups apiece. Baloga is 34-of-36 on PAT kicks and 3-for-3 on field goal tries this fall, and he averages 37.2 yards per punt on nine kicks, three "inside the 20." AlfanoStJohn averages 38 yards per kickoff return, including a 100-yard TD return at Susquehanna earlier this year, and Ravi Dass Jr. averages 11.2 yards per punt return, highlighted by a 50-yard return for a TD at Hilbert in the season opener.

Curt Fitzpatrick was named SUNY Cortland's football head coach in February 2020 and is in his fifth year at the school and fourth season on the field in 2024. His record at Cortland is 39-4 (.907), highlighted by a 14-1 season and a storybook run to the 2023 NCAA Division III title. Fitzpatrick was named both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the D3football.com Division III National Coach of the Year, and the AFCA Region 1 and D3football.com Region 2 Coach of the Year. Fitzpatrick has led Cortland to three Empire 8 titles from 2021-23, each with a 6-0 regular-season record. He and his assistants were named the Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year in each of those three seasons.
 
Fitzpatrick previously served as head coach at Morrisville for seven seasons from 2013-19 and guided the Mustangs to four winning seasons and three postseason ECAC bowl games. He served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Utica College from 2008-12. A 2004 graduate of St. John Fisher, Fitzpatrick was a four-year letterman and a standout quarterback for the Cardinals who served as a team captain. In his final season, he earned Empire 8 all-conference honors and set school passing records in touchdowns (30) and yards (2,366) while leading the program to a 10-2 overall record and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. He returned to his hometown of Fulton, N.Y., to coach quarterbacks and wide receivers at Fulton High School in 2005 and he served as quarterbacks coach at St. John Fisher for two seasons from 2006-07. During those two years the Cardinals went a combined 23-4, won two Empire 8 crowns, and advanced to the NCAA semifinals (2006) and quarterfinals (2007).
 
A LOOK AT...ALFRED UNIVERSITY:  Alfred opened the season with a tight 10-7 loss at current Liberty League leader Hobart before rattling off three straight wins - home contests versus Juniata (64-28), Catholic (45-15) and Hilbert (47-0). The Saxons lost an Empire 8 contest last Saturday at Morrisville, 24-14. Chris Kelly was 12-of-28 passing for 152 yards and a TD and ran 10 times for 59 yards and a score. Nicholas McLetchie-Goldman made 10 tackles and Roque Santiago finished with nine stops and a pass breakup.
 
For the season, Kelly is 69-of-110 passing (62.7 percent) for 959 yards and 10 touchdowns with four interceptions. Max Freeman IV averages 66.6 rushing yards per game with three touchdowns and Alexander Coffey has run for five scores. Dion Anderson ranks 15th nationally in Division III with 114.0 receiving yards per game, 26th with 6.8 receptions per game (34 in five games), and 17th with 30.8 kickoff return yards per contest. He returned a kickoff 95 yards for a TD versus Catholic, and he has five receiving touchdowns on the season.
 
Joe Copp leads the Saxons with 35 tackles, 22 solo, and Santiago has 31 tackles. Jack Bestpitch and Adam Mietz each have two interceptions, with one of Mietz's picks going for an 80-yard TD versus Catholic. Dominic Bronco has made all 18 of his PAT kicks and both of his field goals and Colin McGovern averages 37.0 yards per punt, including three kicks of more than 50 yards.
 
Bob Rankl is in his 11th year as Alfred's head coach. He was appointed in May 2014 after serving as an assistant coach with the Saxons for 15 seasons. His head coaching record of 60-43 (.583) includes a 12-1 record and Empire 8 title in 2016. The Saxons finished the 2016 regular season 10-0 (8-0 in league play) and won two NCAA playoff games before losing to perennial power Mount Union, 70-45, at home in the national quarterfinals. Rankl also guided Alfred to an 8-3 record and ECAC bowl game victory in both 2015 and 2017 and a 7-4 mark and ECAC bowl win at Salisbury in 2018. As an assistant coach, he was in charge of coaching Alfred's offensive line and coordinating the running game. Rankl is a 1999 graduate of Ursinus College, where he was a four-year starting defensive lineman for the Bears.

NOTEBOOK:
 
* Cortland has broken the school record for scoring average each of the last three years, averaging 41.4 points per game in 2021, 45.1 points per contest in 2022 and 46.2 points per game last fall. The Red Dragons are averaging 54.4 points per game this fall. Cortland has scored 272 points - over the past three seasons, the Red Dragons' five-game scoring totals were 234 in 2021, 247 in 2022 and 247 in 2023.
 
* Cortland is off to a 5-0 start for the 19th time in school history. The Red Dragons have opened with a 6-0 mark 13 times (1896, 1899, 1902, 1964, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 2006, 2008, 2019, 2021, 2022).
 
* Zac Boyes has attempted 203 straight passes without an interception - his last 103 attempts a year ago plus his 100 attempts this fall. He has broken his previous school record of 194 straight pass attempts without an interception, set last season. After being picked in the 2023 season opener versus Delaware Valley, he wasn't intercepted again until throwing two picks at Ithaca and two in the NCAA second round versus Grove City.
 
* Cortland's current 17-game winning streak is one of only two active double-figure win streaks in Division III - Marietta of Ohio has won 10 straight games. The Red Dragons' 22-game Empire 8 winning streak is currently the fourth-longest conference run - Mount Union has won 62 straight games in the Ohio Athletic Conference, Aurora has won 43 straight in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference and North Central has won 37 straight in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.
 
* Cortland has been a member of the Empire 8 conference since 2015. The Red Dragons won the outright league title and NCAA automatic bid in both 2021, 2022 and 2023 and were co-champions in both 2015 and 2019, earning an NCAA bid in 2015. Cortland also finished second or tied for second in the league in 2017 and 2018. Cortland previously competed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) for 15 seasons from 2000-14 and finished in at least a tie for first place six times.
 
     Three current Empire 8 members - Cortland, Morrisville and Brockport - at one point played in the NJAC. Cortland and Morrisville are affiliate members of the E8 in football only. Brockport moved from affiliate to full-time status in the league in 2024. Alfred, Hartwick, St. John Fisher and Utica also are full conference members. Hilbert joined the Empire 8 as an affiliate football member in 2024 but will be moving to the Liberty League in 2025, and Alfred State will join the league as an affiliate football member in 2025.


* Cortland and Alfred rank in the top 40 nationally in Division III in the following team and individual categories:
 
CORTLAND:
 
2nd, Third Down Conversion Percentage Defense, 20.6 pct.
3rd, First Downs Defense, 51
3rd, Kickoff Returns, 31.5 yds./return
4th, Scoring Offense, 54.4 pts./game
4th, Third Down Conversion Percentage, 57.1 pct.
4th, Punt Return Defense, minus-1.0 yds./return
9th, Total Defense, 214.2 yds./game
9th, Passes Had Intercepted, 1
10th, Total Offense, 502.8 yds./game
10th, Rushing Offense, 256.6 yds./game
12th, Scoring Defense, 10.4 pts./game
12th, First Downs Offense, 135
14th, Team Passing Efficiency, 186.7 rating
15th, Turnovers Lost, 4
17th, Completion Percentage, 69.2 pct.
23rd, Red Zone Offense, 91.4 pct.
23rd, Rushing Defense, 69.4 yds./game
23rd, Tackles for Loss Allowed, 3.8/game
23rd, Blocked Punts, 1
24th, Turnover Margin, plus-1.2/game
25th, Passing Yards Allowed, 144.8 yds./game
33rd, Passing Yards per Completion, 14.8 yds./completion
34th, Fumbles Recovered, 5
38th, Team Passing Efficiency Defense, 107.2 opponent rating
 
(Cortland is one of 21 undefeated teams in Division III)
 
Ethan Gallo, 2nd, Rushing TDs, 11
Ethan Gallo, 2nd, Scoring, 13.2 pts./game
Ethan Gallo, 2nd, Total TDs, 11
Jaden AlfanoStJohn, 3rd, Kickoff Returns, 38.0 yds./return
Jaden AlfanoStJohn, 4th, Kickoff Return TDs, 1
Ravi Dass Jr., 4th, Punt Return TDs, 1
Zac Boyes, 5th, Yards per Pass Attempt, 10.6 yds./attempt
Max Llewellyn, 7th, Fumbles Recovered, 2
Zac Boyes, 9th, Completion Percentage, 72.0 pct.
Zac Boyes, 9th, Passing Efficiency, 194.4 rating
Jaden AlfanoStJohn, 11th, Total TDs, 9
Jaden AlfanoStJohn, 13th, Scoring, 10.8 pts./game
Jaden AlfanoStJohn, 15th, All Purpose Yardage, 146.6 yds./game
Jaden Martinez, 18th, Forced Fumbles, 0.4/game
Ravi Dass Jr., 25th, Punt Returns, 11.2 yds./return
Jaden AlfanoStJohn, 28th, Receiving TDs, 6
Ethan Gallo, 30th, Rushing, 99.8 yds./game
Zac Boyes, 33rd, Passing Yards per Completion, 14.8 yds./completion
Zac Boyes, 36th, Total Offense, 269.0 yds./game
 
ALFRED:
 
2nd, Passing Yards Allowed, 107.4 yds./game
8th, Punt Return Defense, 0.0 yds./return
17th, Blocked Kicks, 3
18th, Fourth Down Conversion Defense, 25.0 pct.
21st, Third Down Conversion Defense, 27.1 pct.
23rd, Blocked Punts, 1
27th, Sacks Allowed, 0.8/game
31st, Tackles for Loss Allowed, 4.0/game
34th, Scoring Defense, 15.4 pts./game
34th, Net Punting, 37.0 net yds./punt
35th, Kickoff Returns, 24.0 yds./return
 
Dion Anderson, 4th, Kickoff Return TDs, 1
Dion Anderson, 5th, All Purpose Yards, 181.8 yds./game
Dion Anderson, 15th, Receiving Yards, 114.0 yds./game
Dion Anderson, 17th, Kickoff Returns, 30.8 yds./return
Dion Anderson, 26th, Receptions, 6.8/game
Joe Copp, 32nd, Solo Tackles, 5.5/game
 
 
2024 Cortland Weekly Award Winners (game date/opponent in parentheses)
 
Jaden AlfanoStJohn, Sr., Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
D3football.com National Team of the Week (kick returner) (Sept. 21 at Susquehanna)
Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 21 at Susquehanna)
D3football.com National Team of the Week (wide receiver) (Oct. 5 vs. Morrisville)
 
Mike Baloga, Sr., Kicker/Punter
Empire 8 Co-Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 5 vs. Morrisville)
Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 12 at Utica)
 
Zac Boyes, Sr., Quarterback
Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 14 vs. Lycoming)
 
Ravi Dass Jr., Kick/Punt Returner
Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 7 at Hilbert)
 
Ellis Einbinder, Jr., Safety
Empire 8 Co-Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 12 at Utica)
 
Offensive Line (Kevin Whalen, Aidan Glynn, Ryan Bitka, Jayden Lont, Cody Aikey)
D3football.com National Team of the Week (Sept. 14 vs. Lycoming)


SCHEDULES/RESULTS:

CORTLAND (5-0, 3-0 Empire 8)

Sept. 7            * at Hilbert............................................... W 76-0
Sept. 14          LYCOMING (PA).................................... W 70-7
Sept. 21          at Susquehanna (PA)............................. W 40-38
Oct. 5             * MORRISVILLE...................................... W 41-0
Oct. 12            * at Utica..................................................W 45-7
Oct. 19           * at Alfred................................................ 1:00
Oct. 26           * ST. JOHN FISHER................................ 1:00
Nov. 2            * HARTWICK........................................... 1:00
Nov. 9            * at Brockport........................................... 12:00
Nov. 16           ITHACA.................................................. 12:00

* Empire 8 game      HOME GAMES IN CAPS

ALFRED (3-2, 1-1 Empire 8)

Sept. 6           at Hobart................................................. L 7-10
Sept. 14          JUNIATA (PA)........................................ W 64-28
Sept. 28         CATHOLIC (DC)..................................... W 45-15
Oct. 5             * HILBERT.............................................. W 47-0
Oct. 12            * at Morrisville........................................ L 14-24
Oct. 19           * CORTLAND......................................... 1:00
Oct. 26           * at Utica................................................. 1:00
Nov. 2            * ST. JOHN FISHER............................... 1:00
Nov. 9            * at Hartwick........................................... 1:00
Nov. 16           * BROCKPORT..................................... 1:00
 
* Empire 8 game      HOME GAMES IN CAPS


CORTLAND vs. ALFRED – SERIES RECORD
(Alfred leads 31-16-1)
 
Year            Winner........................... Score              Site
1940            Alfred.............................. 21-0                Alfred
1946            Alfred.............................. 20-12              Alfred
1947            Cortland.......................... 37-0                Cortland

1952            Alfred.............................. 33-28              Cortland
1953            Alfred.............................. 19-0                Alfred
1954            Alfred.............................. 32-12              Cortland
1955            Alfred.............................. 12-0                Alfred
1956            Alfred.............................. 24-6                Cortland
1957            Tie.................................. 12-12               Alfred
1958            Cortland.......................... 36-0                Cortland
1959            Cortland.......................... 12-2                Alfred

1960            Alfred.............................. 20-7                Cortland
1961            Cortland......................... 13-6                 Alfred
1962            Cortland.......................... 19-12              Cortland
1963            Alfred.............................. 12-0                Alfred
1964            Cortland.......................... 15-0                Cortland
1965            Cortland.......................... 26-6                Alfred
1966            Cortland.......................... 17-6                Cortland
1967            Alfred.............................. 14-6                Alfred
1968            Cortland.......................... 45-28              Alfred
1969            Alfred.............................. 20-17              Cortland

1970            Alfred.............................. 27-7                Alfred
1971            Alfred............................ 17-10                Cortland
1972            Alfred.............................. 29-27              Alfred
1973            Alfred............................. 20-7                 Cortland
1974            Alfred.............................. 19-0                Alfred
1975            Alfred.............................. 9-0                  Cortland
1976            Cortland.......................... 20-16              Alfred
1977            Alfred............................. 15-9                 Cortland
1978            Alfred.............................. 48-14              Alfred
1979            Alfred.............................. 34-7                Cortland

1980            Alfred.............................. 23-0                Alfred
1981            Alfred............................. 21-14               Cortland
1982            Alfred.............................. 35-21              Cortland
1983            Alfred.............................. 39-13              Alfred
1984            Alfred.............................. 43-6                Cortland
1985            Alfred.............................. 31-0                Alfred
1986            Alfred.............................. 34-9                Cortland

2010            Alfred.............................. 34-20              Cortland (NCAA Div. III Second Round)
2013            Alfred.............................. 21-14              Alfred (ECAC North Central Bowl)
2015            Cortland...........................20-14              Cortland
2016            Alfred...............................41-28              Alfred
2017            Cortland...........................20-17 (OT)     Cortland
2018            Alfred...............................38-33              Alfred
2019            Cortland.......................... 31-21              Cortland

2021            Cortland...........................47-3                Cortland
2022            Cortland...........................31-8                Alfred
2023            Cortland...........................59-21              Cortland