Detailing the historic 2022 regular season for the #11 nationally ranked Cortland Football team.
While all eyes are on Cortland’s historic matchup against the Ithaca Bombers this Sunday, the season has been anything but a regular one for the 9-0 Red Dragons. Despite many viewing Cortaca as the climax of the season for both teams, last weekend versus the Alfred State Saxons team 117 captured the second Empire 8 championship in as many seasons. Beginning in early August, the team had its sights set on that goal.
November 12th remained the elephant in the room for most, though. One thing all 130 players didn’t know was the season they were bound for prior to the matchup against the Bombers.
Let’s get a real look back on Cortland’s historic 2022 campaign.
One notion that often gets overlooked for division III athletics is their offseason. While it isn’t as long as a division I Tennessee Volunteer offseason, it certainly isn’t something that is easy by any means.
Players returned to campus on the 10th of August in hopes of notching their team in the record books. For a grueling seventeen days, the team was working to be prepared physically and mentally for week 1 vs Wittenberg. This intensity was meant to push some to the brink, while acting as preparation for those who were going to suit up week in and out.
When the five time NCAA champion Wittenberg Tigers arrived in Stadium Red, team 117 was ready to perform.
Starting the season off strong, Cortland won commandingly 48-28, thus starting the roll of the proverbial ball. Quarterback Zac Boyes broke a school record with 543 yards through the air. Wide receiver JJ Laap corralled nine balls for 312 yards, breaking both a school record and an Empire 8 for receiving yards.
This started the climb for Cortland as they entered the year ranked 16th nationally.
The next two weeks featured blow out wins versus The College of New Jersey and Buffalo State, leading the team into conference play.
Facing undefeated SUNY Morrisville, former home of head coach Curt Fitzpatrick, the team was prepared to fight tooth and nail for a win. Running back Jaden Alfanostjohn ran for 247 yards on the ground leading the team to victory.
Cortland quickly shifted their attention to SUNY Brockport, who many still favored to win the Empire 8.
The energy was evident from the get-go in Bob Boozer field, as Cortland cornerback Josh Cordero returned an interception for a touchdown on just the second play from scrimmage. Cordero achieved his sixth interception of the season at this juncture, three of them for touchdowns. Led by scrappy but efficient play, the Red Dragon’s notched their second win in conference play.
The team then cruised through Hartwick, 69-7, setting a single-season school record with games recording more than 60 points, three.
The Utica Pioneers awaited #13 ranked SUNY Cortland next, where many were pondering the severe playoff implications of the matchup. Despite Utica’s success to that point in the year, Cortland gave them the works to a tune of 48-21.
This result lifted Cortland to a “win and in” scenario the next week in Alfred, which the team welcomed with open arms.
Despite losing two offensive juggernauts in Jaden Alfanostjohn and wide receiver Cole Burgess, they won handily and claimed the Empire 8 trophy. This win also marked that the 2022 SUNY Cortland Red Dragons were the first to clinch a playoff berth in all of the country.
The Dragon’s returned home this prior weekend to face St. John Fischer, who were ultimately no match, as Cortland claimed its ninth victory in dominant fashion 56-14.
As the Dragon’s eye a matchup in front of 40,000 fans in Yankee Stadium this weekend, let’s not forget the incredible efforts of the collective to this point in the season. A victory versus Ithaca would propel Cortland to #1 in the Eastern region and guarantee them home field advantage through a major part of the postseason.
In the wise words of former All-American Dylan Dubuque: “Winning Matters,” and the team is ready to show the country that they’re poised for prime time.