The Cortland Red Dragons football team narrowly defeated the Brockport Golden Eagles 29-28 on Saturday, clinching their fourth consecutive Empire 8 Conference Championship. The victory was sealed by a game-winning 38-yard field goal from senior kicker Mike Baloga, who nailed the kick with just 27 seconds remaining. This win gave Cortland an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament, continuing their undefeated season at 9-0.
Cortland struggled offensively in the early stages, with penalties and dropped passes halting their drives. Brockport capitalized on Cortland’s slow start, taking advantage of a blocked punt that they returned for a touchdown to jump out to a 14-0 lead in the first six minutes. Baloga, who is also the team’s punter, was unfazed after early struggles.
“Well, I started off the game poorly and not exactly how I wanted it to go,” said Baloga. “I kept moving forward and as it was time to kick my holder Connor Mooney told me ‘snap, hold, kick just like we do everyday.’ After he said that I knew we were golden and I just did what we usually do.”
The Red Dragons responded early in the second quarter with a trick play, a double reverse pass back to senior quarterback Zac Boyes, who found sophomore receiver Jayson Zeva open downfield for a 47-yard touchdown.
Brockport’s offense, led by sophomore receiver Nolan Slywka, controlled the first quarter by continuously targeting their big-body receivers. Slywka tallied 103 receiving yards and two touchdowns in the first half alone, keeping Cortland’s secondary under constant pressure.
The Red Dragons’ defense stepped up after Boyes threw his first interception of the season, holding Brockport to a three-and-out and blocking a punt to set up a Cortland touchdown that cut Brockport’s lead to 21-14. In the closing minutes of the first half, Cortland managed to drive downfield and secure a field goal, trimming Brockport’s lead to 21-17.
After halftime, Cortland kept up their offensive momentum, moving the ball efficiently down the field but struggled to convert in the red zone. Baloga stepped up to keep them in contention with another field goal, though he would eventually miss a 35-yarder later in the third quarter to take the lead for the first time for Cortland.
In the fourth quarter, Brockport extended their lead with a touchdown to make it 28-20. But Cortland responded immediately, completing a 75-yard drive capped by a touchdown to Jaden Alfano-StJohn. The two-point conversion attempt failed and the Red Dragons were back within two points at 28-26 with more than seven minutes remaining.
With time winding down, Cortland’s defense made key stops, giving their offense the ball back with just under two minutes left. Starting from their 23-yard line, Boyes led the offense down the field, completing passes and converting on third down with a scramble to set up Baloga’s kick. The field goal from 38 yards sailed through the uprights, sparking an eruption on the Cortland sideline.
Baloga’s kick completed a comeback that had seemed improbable in the early stages of the game. Reflecting on the kick, Baloga credited months of preparation,
“The preparation for kicking starts in the summer, ” said Baloga. “It takes a lot of time and effort, and it all pays off in moments like this.”
Brockport’s return team almost spoiled the celebration with a 55-yard kickoff return, putting them within striking distance of a field goal. However, on their first play from scrimmage, Brockport’s quarterback threw an interception, which was picked off by Cortland’s Nazair Jean-Lubin, sealing the victory and the championship.
When asked if he anticipated the game coming down to his kick, Baloga admitted he felt the weight of the moment before stepping onto the field.
“Before the kick I had multiple people tell me that I was going to have to make a game winner,” said Baloga. “I knew as soon as we had the ball with 2 minutes left it was going to come down to my foot and the field goal unit.”
This win carries significant weight for Cortland’s national standing. Currently sitting as the second-ranked team in Division III, securing their fourth consecutive Empire 8 title reinforces their standing as a powerhouse in college football.
Next up for the Red Dragons is the 65th annual Cortaca Jug game against Ithaca College. This rivalry game, played for the first time in three years at Cortland’s home turf, promises to be a competitive matchup. Ithaca, currently 6-3, has been on a five-game winning streak after a rough start. Their sophomore quarterback, Matthew Parker, has rebounded from early-season struggles to lead his team with 240 passing yards per game and nine touchdowns in his last four outings.
For Cortland, a win in the Cortaca Jug would not only cap their season with a victory in one of college football’s most storied rivalries but would also provide momentum heading into the NCAA division III tournament.