The SUNY Cortland Red Dragons rose to victory on Saturday, November 16th, defeating the Ithaca College Bombers 28-17 in the highly anticipated Cortaca Jug game at Grady Field.
Grady Field roared with excitement as thousands of fans dressed in red and white packed the stands, cheering the Red Dragons to their hard-fought victory. The game was a showcase of skill, strategy, and resilience. Cortland quarterback Zac Boyes led the charge, and the defense shined just as brightly. The win marked another chapter in the long-standing rivalry, celebrated as “The Biggest Little Game in the Nation.”
The Cortaca Jug, is more than just a football game—it’s a tradition that represents the fierce rivalry between SUNY Cortland and Ithaca College. What began as a friendly challenge, has grown into one of the most celebrated rivalries in college sports.
History
The Cortaca Jug rivalry began in 1959, created by each team’s respective captain, Tom Decker of SUNY Cortland and Dick Carmean of Ithaca College. To add to the excitement of their annual matchup, Decker purchased an old jug from a local yard sale. They transformed the jug into a trophy, symbolizing pride and bragging rights for the winning team. The first Cortaca Jug game was held in 1959, with Ithaca College emerging victorious. Over the decades, the game has grown in significance, becoming a beloved event for students, alumni, and fans of both schools.
The rivalry has attracted national attention, with ESPN once dubbing it “the biggest little game in the nation.” In 2019, the Cortaca Jug game was played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, breaking the Division III attendance record with 45,161 fans in the stands.
What makes the Cortaca Jug special isn’t just the heated competition—it’s the sense of tradition and community it fosters. Both SUNY Cortland and Ithaca College have strong football legacies, and the game is often decided by close scores and dramatic plays.
The win not only secured bragging rights for the Red Dragons but also allowed the desired Cortaca Jug trophy to stay where it belongs; in the hands of the Red Dragons, igniting celebrations across campus and the town. However, with festivities come responsibilities—and the SUNY Cortland community was ready to step up.
Clean-up
On Sunday, November 17th, a different kind of teamwork took place. Students from Greek life organizations, campus clubs, sports teams, and other groups gathered early for the annual “Cortaca Clean-Up.”
Provided with gloves, trash bags, and a commitment to community care, volunteers spread out across Cortland to clean up streets, parking lots, and neighborhoods impacted by the weekend festivities.
“We love celebrating our team’s win, but it’s important to also take care of the community we’re a part of,” said Alivia Myers, a member of Delta Phi Epsilon. “This clean-up is our way of saying thank you and ensuring Cortland stays beautiful.”
The clean-up highlighted the collaborative teamwork that defines SUNY Cortland, showing that victory on the field is only part of the story. The students’ dedication to their community set the weekend as a true win for everyone involved.
As the Cortaca Jug sits proudly on our campus, the Red Dragons can reflect not only on their athletic triumph but also on their commitment to making Cortland a better place to live, play, and celebrate.