SUNY CORTLAND FOOTBALL NOTES
Cortland Red Dragons (7-0, 4-0 Empire 8) vs. Alfred University Saxons (2-5, 1-2 Empire 8)
Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022; 1 p.m.; Yunevich Stadium; Alfred, N.Y.

NOTE: Fans who bring a stuffed animal or new toy for Alfred's Toys for Tots program will get one free ticket into the game. Check here for more details.

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THE MATCHUP: Cortland looks to clinch its second straight Empire 8 title and NCAA automatic berth as it travels to Alfred University. The Red Dragons are 7-0 overall and are ranked 10th nationally in Division III by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and 13th nationally by D3football.com. With a 4-0 league record and two conference games remaining, Cortland can secure the Empire 8 title with either a win at Alfred or at home next week versus St. John Fisher.
 
THE SERIES: Alfred leads the all-time series 31-14-1, but Cortland has won four of the last six meetings. The Red Dragons were victorious at home in 2021 (47-3), 2019 (31-21), 2017 (20-17 in overtime) and 2015 (20-14), while the Saxons won on their turf in both 2018 (38-33) and 2016 (41-28).
 
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. Cortland's last win at Alfred came in 1976.
 
Last season, Cortland clinched the Empire 8 crown with its 47-3 win over the visiting Saxons. Cortland outgained Alfred, 483-245, in total offense. Justin  Wheeler led the Red Dragons with 10 tackles and Christian Legagneur finished with eight tackles, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery. Brees  Segala completed 14-of-23 passes for 217 yards and two scores and ran 10 times for 62 yards and a touchdown. Jaden Alfanostjohn ran 17 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns and Derek  Cruz caught seven passes for 132 yards and a score. Joe Copp led Alfred with 15 tackles and two pass breakups and Christopher Cox added 11 tackles, a forced fumble and two pass breakups.
 
CORTLAND CAPSULE:  Cortland scored the game's first 28 points and went on to post a 48-21 win at Utica last Saturday in a matchup of unbeaten teams. Jaden Alfanostjohn, the Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week, ran 12 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns and Zac Boyes completed 13-of-18 passes for 211 yards and four touchdowns. Samuel Maddi blocked a field goal on Utica's first possession, Devin McArthur made a team-high 12 tackles, and the Cortland starting offensive line of Daquan Griffin, Ryan Bitka, Jon Kabes, Connor Hill and Cody Aikey was named to the D3football.com National Team of the Week after helping Cortland gain 498 yards with no sacks and just one rushing yard lost when the Red Dragons took a knee on the game's final play.
 
Alfanostjohn averages 120 yards per game on the ground this fall with 13 rushing touchdowns and Ashton Capone averages 46.7 yards per game and 6.3 yards per carry (327 yards on 52 rushes). Boyes is 100-of-140 (71.4 pct.) passing for 1,821 yards and 18 touchdowns with four interceptions and has run for 208 yards and two scores. Four Red Dragons have caught at least 20 passes. JJ Laap has 25 receptions for 636 yards and four scores, Cole Burgess has caught 24 passes for 506 yards and eight touchdowns, CJ Messina has 22 receptions for 295 yards and two scores, and Rashad Tucker has 20 receptions for 260 yards and four touchdowns.
 
Craig Ackerman and Zack Thuesen lead the Red Dragons with 42 tackles each. Joshua Cordero has six interceptions and five pass breakups. Mike Baloga is 4-of-6 on field goal attempts and 42-of-45 on PAT kicks, Patrick Luby averages 37.8 yards per punt on 13 attempts, and Tucker averages 26.6 yards per kickoff return, with one touchdown, and 9.4 yards per punt return.
 
Curt Fitzpatrick was named Cortland's head coach in February 2020 and enters the game with an 18-1 overall record. The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, and in his first season on the field in 2021 he led the Red Dragons to an 11-1 season, the Empire 8 crown, and the NCAA second round. Fitzpatrick and his assistants were named the Empire 8 Coaching Staff of the Year. Fitzpatrick previously served as head coach at Morrisville State for seven seasons from 2013-19 and guided the Mustangs to four winning seasons and three postseason ECAC bowl games. His 2014 squad finished 9-2 and claimed a share of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) title, earning him NJAC Co-Coach of the Year and D3football.com East Region Coach of the Year honors.

Fitzpatrick served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Utica College from 2008-12. He graduated from St. John Fisher College in 2004 with a bachelor's degree in management. A standout quarterback for the Cardinals, Fitzpatrick served as a team captain and was a four-year letterman. 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 Empire 8 play on Oct. 8 with a 21-6 win at Hartwick, but has since fallen at home versus St. John Fisher, 21-7, on Oct. 15 and at Morrisville, 36-0, last Saturday. Earlier this season, the Saxons played tough against currently undefeated and Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference co-leader Mount St. Joseph, falling to the Lions, 43-37.
 
Max Freeman IV ranks 23rd nationally in Division III in rushing with 107.3 yards per game. He averages 4.2 yards per carry and has scored seven touchdowns. Zuke Smith is 80-of-177 (45.2 pct.) passing for 899 yards and three touchdowns with seven interceptions. Jacob Kelsey has 36 receptions for 493 yards and Darviae Gray has 26 catches for 317 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Joe Copp ranks in the top 25 nationally in Division III in total tackles (10.3 per game; 73 total), solo tackles (6.0 per game) and tackles for loss (1.8 per game). Christopher Cox ranks second on the squad with 45 tackles, and Tim Dahl has 11 tackles for loss, including a team-high six sacks, among his 44 total tackles. Alfred ranks 40th nationally with 2.7 sacks per game. Zach Johnson is 13th nationally in punting average at 41.2 yards per punt. Ian Barbini is 3-for-6 on field goal attempts and 10-for-13 on PATs.
 
Bob Rankl is in his ninth 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 53-32 (.624) 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 not trailed this season, and the Red Dragons have been tied for only 34 minutes and 53 seconds out of a possible 420 minutes. Of that 34:53, only 6:25 has been a tie that wasn't 0-0 (7-7 for 3:00 versus Wittenberg and 7-7 for 3:25 at Brockport).
 
* Cortland has opened the season with a 7-0 record nine times, including each of the last three seasons. The previous eight 7-0 seasons concluded as follows:
 
1964 – Started 8-0. Lost season finale at Montclair State. Finished 8-1.
1988 – Finished regular season 10-0. Won NCAA opener vs. Hofstra and lost NCAA quarterfinal at Ithaca. Finished  11-1.
1989 – Started 8-0 before losing at Ithaca. Finished regular season 9-1. Lost NCAA opener at Union. Finished 9-2.
1990 – Started 8-0 before losing to Ithaca. Finished regular season 9-1. Lost NCAA opener at Hofstra. Finished 9-2.
2006 – Started 8-0 before losing at Rowan in OT. Finished regular season 9-1. Lost ECAC bowl game to RPI. Finished 9-2.
2008 – Started 9-0 before losing to Ithaca. Finished regular season 9-1. Won NCAA playoff games versus Plymouth State and Curry before losing NCAA quarterfinal at Mount Union. Finished 11-2.
2019 – Started 7-0 before losing to Brockport. Finished regular season 8-2. Lost NY Bowl to Hobart. Finished 8-3.
2021 – Finished regular season 10-0. Won NCAA opener vs. Springfield and lost NCAA second round to RPI. Finished 11-1.
 
* Cortland has won 17 straight regular-season games dating back to the start of last season. The school record for consecutive regular-season wins is 18 spanning the 1988 (10-0 regular) and 1989 (8-0 start) seasons. The Red Dragons have only had two other streaks of at least 10 regular-season wins – 11 straight in 2005 (last three) and 2006 (first eight), and 10 straight in 1935 (last five) and 1936 (first five).
 
* Cortland has not punted in three of its seven games this fall (home versus Wittenberg, at Buffalo State and Utica). The last time prior to this season that the Red Dragons did not punt was during a 67-6 win at Wilkes in the second game of the 1991 season.
 
* Cortland is tied for third nationally in Division III in scoring at 52.0 points per game, along with Mount Union. North Central is first at 56.1 points per game and Aurora is second at 53.0 points per game. The school single-season record is 41.4 points per game, set last season. Cortland has eclipsed the 60-point mark three times this fall – the first time in school history the Red Dragons have had three games of 60-plus points.
 
* Joshua Cordero is tied for third nationally in Division III with 0.9 interception per game (six in seven games). Cordero picked off a pass versus Wittenberg, had three interceptions versus TCNJ, and registered one pick each at Buffalo State and Brockport. He's returned three of his interceptions for touchdowns (TCNJ, Buffalo State and Brockport), which leads Division III nationally. The Cortland record for interceptions in a season is eight, held by both Joe Lopez in 2010 and Steve Daly in 1975.
 
     Cordero has tied a school record for defensive touchdowns scored in a season with three, set originally by Chuck Eich in 2003. Eich (pronounced IKE) had three interception returns for touchdowns that season, with one of them coming following a lateral after a teammate's interception.
 
* Cortland is tied for first nationally in Division III with five defensive touchdowns (along with Augsburg, Aurora and Loras). In addition to Joshua Cordero's three interception returns for scores (versus TCNJ, Buffalo State and Brockport), the Red Dragons had Mark Noel and Craig Ackerman return fumbles for touchdowns against Hartwick.
 
* Zac Boyes leads Division III nationally with a 217.4 passing efficiency rating through seven games. The rating reflects four statistics – completion percentage, passing yards per pass attempt, touchdown passes per pass attempt and interceptions per pass attempt. Boyes set a school single-game record (minimum 10 attempts) with his 330.3 rating versus TCNJ (10-for-13, 235 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions) on Sept. 10. The school single-season record is 177.0, set by Brees Segala last year. Boyes also is first nationally in Division III in yards per pass attempt (13.1) and passing yards per completion (18.2).
 
* Jaden Alfanostjohn is tied for second nationally in Division III with 13 rushing touchdowns, along with Greenville's Paul Garrett and Curry's Montie Quinn. Denison's Trey Fabrocini is the leader with 15. Alfanostjohn also is tied for fourth nationally in scoring (12.0 points/game) and total touchdowns scored (14).
 
*  The YES (Yankees Entertainment and Sports) Network will be broadcasting the Nov. 12 Cortaca Jug game between Cortland and Ithaca at Yankee Stadium. Kickoff is at noon. Fans who are not YES subscribers will be able to watch the game for free on the YES app.
 
* Cortland has been a member of the Empire 8 conference since 2015. The Red Dragons won the outright league title and NCAA automatic berth in 2021 and were co-champion 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, Brockport and Morrisville State - at one point played in the NJAC and are affiliate members of the E8 in football only. The other league teams - Alfred, Hartwick, St. John Fisher and Utica - are full conference members. Hilbert College will join the Empire 8 as an affiliate football member in the fall of 2024.
 
* Cortland and Alfred rank in the top 40 nationally in Division III in the following team and individual categories:
 
CORTLAND:
 
1st, Defensive Touchdowns, 5
1st, Team Passing Efficiency, 199.6 rating
3rd, Scoring Offense, 52.0 pts./game
3rd, Fourth Down Conversion Percentage, 85.7 pct.
4th, Third Down Conversion Percentage, 58.9 pct.
6th, Passing Yards per Completion, 17.1 yds./completion
8th, Total Offense, 527.0 yds./game
10th, Tackles for Loss Allowed, 3.6/game
15th, Rushing Offense, 240.7 yds./game
15th, Sacks Allowed, 0.7/game
17th, Turnover Margin, plus-1.1/game
18th, Sacks, 3.4/game
19th, Completion Percentage, 68.0 pct.
22nd, Kickoff Returns, 24.1 yds./return
27th, Team Passing Efficiency Defense, 102.0 opponent rating
29th, Passing Offense, 286.3 yds./game
29th, Passes Had Intercepted, 4
31st, Scoring Defense, 14.4 pts./game
33rd, Interceptions, 10
34th, First Downs, 166
36th, Turnovers Gained, 16
37th, Blocked Kicks, 3
37th, Red Zone Offense, 85.0 pct.
38th, Turnovers Lost, 8
 
(Cortland is one of 18 undefeated teams in Division III)
 
Zac Boyes, 1st, Passing Efficiency, 217.4 rating
Zac Boyes, 1st, Passing Yards per Completion, 18.2 yds./completion
Zac Boyes, 1st, Yards per Pass Attempt, 13.0 yds./attempt
Jaden Alfanostjohn, 2nd, Rushing Touchdowns, 13
Joshua Cordero, 3rd, Interceptions, 0.9/game
Rashad Tucker, 3rd, Kickoff Return Touchdowns, 1
Jaden Alfanostjohn, 4th, Scoring, 12.0 points/game
Jaden Alfanostjohn, 4th, Total Touchdowns, 14
Zac Boyes, 8th, Completion Percentage, 71.4 pct.
JJ Laap, 8th, Yards per Reception, 25.4 yds./catch
Jaden Alfanostjohn, 11th, Rushing, 120.0 yds./game
Joshua Cordero, 12th, Passes Defended (interceptions plus breakups), 1.6/game
Joe Ruggieri, 15th, Fumbles Recovered, 2
Cole Burgess, 17th, Receiving Touchdowns, 8
Rashad Tucker, 17th, Kickoff Returns, 26.6 yds./return
Zac Boyes, 19th, Total Offense, 289.9 yds./game
Zac Boyes, 21st, Passing, 260.1 yds./game
Zac Boyes, 22nd, Passing Touchdowns, 18
Jaden Alfanostjohn, 24th, All Purpose Yardage, 145.4 yds./game
Cole Burgess, 25th, Yards per Reception, 21.1 yds./catch
JJ Laap, 36th, Receiving, 90.9 yds./game

ALFRED:

15th, Sacks Allowed, 0.7/game
40th, Sacks, 2.7/game
 
Zach Johnson, 13th, Punting, 41.2 yds./punt
Joe Copp, 18th, Solo Tackles, 6.0/game
Joe Copp, 22nd, Tackles for Loss, 1.8/game
Max Freeman IV, 23rd, Rushing, 107.3 yds./game
Joe Copp, 25th, Tackles, 10.3/game
Danny Quinones, 37th, Forced Fumbles, 0.3/game
 
 
2022 Cortland Weekly Award Winners (game date/opponent in parentheses)
 
Jaden Alfanostjohn, Running Back
Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 1 vs. Morrisville)
Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Oct. 22 at Utica)
 
Zac Boyes, Quarterback
D3football.com National Team of the Week (Sept. 3 vs. Wittenberg)
Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 17 at Buffalo State)
 
Cole Burgess, Wide Receiver
Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 10 vs. TCNJ)
 
Joshua Cordero, Defensive Back
D3football.com National Team of the Week (Sept. 10 vs. TCNJ)
Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 10 vs. TCNJ)
 
JJ Laap, Wide Receiver
Empire 8 Co-Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 3 vs. Wittenberg)
 
Rashad Tucker, Wide Receiver/Kick Returner
Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week (Oct. 8 at Brockport)
D3football.com National Team of the Week (Returner) (Oct. 8 at Brockport)
 
Offensive Line (Daquan Griffin, Ryan Bitka, Jon Kabes, Connor Hill, Cody Aikey)
D3football.com National Team of the Week (Oct. 22 at Utica)


SCHEDULES/RESULTS:

CORTLAND (7-0, 4-0 Empire 8)

Sept. 3            WITTENBERG (OH).............................. W 48-28
Sept. 10          THE COLLEGE of NEW JERSEY.......... W 63-7
Sept. 17          at Buffalo State.................................... W 66-7
Oct. 1              * MORRISVILLE.................................... W 28-7
Oct. 8             * at Brockport......................................... W 42-24
Oct. 15            * HARTWICK.......................................... W 69-7
Oct. 22           * at Utica................................................. W 48-21
Oct. 29           * at Alfred................................................ 1:00
Nov. 5            * ST. JOHN FISHER................................. 1:00
Nov. 12           Ithaca (Yankee Stadium)...................... 12:00
 
* Empire 8 game      HOME GAMES IN CAPS
 
ALFRED (2-5, 1-2 Empire 8)

Sept. 2            at Hobart.................................................. L 6-36
Sept. 10          MT. ST. JOSEPH (OH)........................... L 37-43
Sept. 17          at Ithaca.................................................... L 3-52
Sept. 24         KALAMAZOO (MI)................................ W 31-23
Oct. 8             * at Hartwick........................................... W 21-6
Oct. 15            * ST. JOHN FISHER................................ L 7-21
Oct. 22           * at Morrisville........................................ L 0-36
Oct. 29           * CORTLAND.......................................... 1:00
Nov. 5            * at Utica.................................................. 1:00
Nov. 12           * BROCKPORT........................................ 1:00
 
* Empire 8 game      HOME GAMES IN CAPS

 
CORTLAND vs. ALFRED – SERIES RECORD
(Alfred leads 31-14-1)
 
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