As the 2024 Division III football season reaches the prime of conference play, the Red Dragons are continuing their dominant run. Currently sitting at 6-0, Cortland has been on a tear, outscoring their Empire 8 opponents 145-24 in their first three conference matchups. This dominance has earned them the #2 ranking in the country, just behind North Central, the team they defeated in last year’s thrilling Stagg Bowl to win the Division III National Championship.
A key driver of Cortland’s success this season has been their high-powered offense. Sophomore running back Ethan Gallo has emerged as one of the best running backs in Division III football. Gallo currently has 672 rushing yards through six games, averaging 112 yards per game. Even more impressive is his ability to find the end zone, as he is tied for the lead in the country for rushing touchdowns with 15. Gallo’s ability to consistently churn out yards and score has made him a focal point of Cortland’s offense.
Senior quarterback Zac Boyes remains the heartbeat of Cortland’s offense, complementing Gallo’s powerful ground game with remarkable poise and efficiency. He has thrown 14 passing touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception through six games. But Boyes isn’t just dangerous through the air, he’s also a threat on the ground. Averaging 52 rushing yards per game, he’s the team’s second-leading rusher, adding versatility to Cortland’s offense and constantly keeping opposing defenses on their heels.
While Cortland’s offense has been consistently performing, their defense has been just as impactful. The Red Dragons are ranked third nationally in third-down defense, holding opponents to a mere 21% conversion rate. This stinginess on third down has been a key factor in Cortland’s ability to control the pace of games, forcing opposing offenses to punt or settle for field goals, while the Red Dragons continue to rack up points.
The defense has allowed just 24 points in their first three Empire 8 games. The combination of a high-scoring offense and a stingy defense is what makes Cortland such a well-rounded and dangerous opponent heading into the latter half of the season.
Looking Ahead
With their eyes set on yet another deep playoff run, Cortland cannot afford to overlook the remainder of their regular season games. Their next matchup against St. John Fisher presents a matchup against a 3-3 Cardinals team that has struggled in conference play. The Cardinals’ senior wide receiver Jaylen Brantley will pose a challenge for Cortland’s defense. Brantley has been a bright spot for the Cardinals, averaging 111 receiving yards per game.
After St. John Fisher, Cortland will face Hartwick, a team currently sitting at 1-5 and winless in Empire 8 play.
What may be their strongest competition of the regular season will be their matchup against Brockport on the road. The Golden Eagles are 5-1, with their only loss coming in a tight contest against 11th-ranked Susquehanna. Brockport’s defense has been exceptional, allowing just 7.33 points per game, the fewest in the country. The game will most likely determine the Empire 8 champion and could have playoff seeding implications.
Cortland’s final game of the season is the highly anticipated Cortaca Jug rivalry against Ithaca. The Bombers have been battle-tested, narrowly losing to top-ranked teams like #8 Johns Hopkins and #16 Endicott in closely contested matchups. Despite their mid-season struggles, Ithaca remains one of the more disciplined teams in the league, with only 22 penalties all year.
Their balanced rushing attack, led by two backs averaging over 50 yards per game, has propelled them to 182 rushing yards per game, ranking 44th in the country. Coming off two straight conference wins, Ithaca will be yet another test for the undefeated Red Dragons.
Expanded Playoff Format
In 2024, the Division III playoffs have expanded, adding more competition to the field. Automatic bids are now granted to the champions of 28 conferences, with 12 at-large bids available. The expanded format increases the unpredictability of potential matchups and introduces more opportunities for underdog teams to make runs at the title.
With 40 teams qualifying for the playoffs, the first round features 10-team brackets set by geographic proximity. This means that teams within 500 miles of each other are more likely to face off in the early rounds, with home-field advantage going to the higher seed. However, the unpredictable nature of the expanded playoff structure means that Cortland will need to be prepared for anything, as matchups could change depending on travel logistics and seedings.
Potential Playoff Opponents
While it’s difficult to predict exact matchups, several teams are clear potential contenders who could face Cortland deeper in the postseason.
Susquehanna
Susquehanna boasts one of the strongest passing attacks in Division III, averaging 282 yards per game through the air. Freshman running back Rahshan La Mons has also been a breakout star, ranking third in the country with 196 rushing yards per game. The past two seasons have seen Susquehanna and Cortland produce back-to-back thrillers. Earlier this season, Cortland narrowly edged them out 40-38, while last year, Susquehanna delivered Cortland’s only loss of the season in another nail-biting 38-35 showdown.
Mount Union
Known for their powerful ground game, Mount Union ranks fifth in the country with 287 rushing yards per game and fourth in total offense, averaging 526 yards per game. Their high-powered offense could pose a significant challenge to Cortland’s defense, making this another interesting potential playoff matchup.
Grove City
On the defensive side of the ball, Grove City has been outstanding, allowing just 34 rushing yards per game. If Cortland’s run game were to meet Grove City’s dominant rush defense, it would be an absolute battle.
North Central (Ill.)
North Central, the top-ranked team in the nation, remains a formidable foe. Cortland defeated them in last year’s Stagg Bowl, but North Central hasn’t lost a regular season game since 2022 and is the favorite to return to the National Championship. North Central leads the country in points per game, averaging a staggering 59, and they have participated in the last four national championships, winning two of them. A rematch of last year’s final would be a marquee game.
Cortland is once again proving why they belong as one of the premier programs in Division III football. With a potent offense led by Gallo and Boyes, a defense that consistently shuts down opponents, the Red Dragons are well on their way to another deep playoff run. However, challenges remain, and with an expanded playoff format, the path to a second consecutive national championship will be full of uncertainty and tough competition.
Whether they will get another shot at North Central in the playoffs remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Cortland is hungry to defend their national title.