The Cortland starting offensive line of tackles Daquan Griffin (Ithaca) and Cody Aikey (Canandaigua/Canandaigua Academy), guards Ryan Bitka (Amherst) and Connor Hill (Newfane), and center Jon Kabes (Honeoye Falls/Honeoye Falls-Lima) have been selected to the D3football.com national Team of the Week, presented by Scoutware, for their performance during the Red Dragons' 48-21 win at Utica University on Oct. 22.
 
The D3football.com team consists of the best performers by position among all Division III schools during the week. The organization honors offensive lines as a starting group instead of individually, and Cortland's offensive line was the only one recognized for the week.
 
The offensive line, along with tight ends Mike Eglintine (Saratoga Springs) and Jeff Halusic (Niskayuna), helped pave the way for Cortland's offense that gained 498 yards of total offense in the win over the previously unbeaten Pioneers. Each of the Red Dragons' five linemen played every offensive snap. Cortland gained 287 yards on the ground (8.4 yards per rush) and 211 yards through the air (11.7 yards per pass attempt) and did not allow any sacks. The Red Dragons lost only one yard rushing when they took a knee on the game's final play.
 
Through seven games this fall, Cortland is tied for third nationally in Division III in scoring at 52.0 points per game, eighth in total offense with 527.0 yards per game, and 15th in rushing offense with 240.7 yards per game. Griffin, Aikey, Bitka, Hill, Kabes and Eglintine have started all seven contests.
 
Cortland (7-0, 4-0 Empire 8) is ranked 13th in the latest D3football.com national poll. The Red Dragons travel to Alfred University Saturday and can clinch their second straight Empire 8 title and NCAA berth with a victory.