The 65th annual Cortaca Jug lived up to its reputation as one of the most exciting rivalries in Division III football. In front of 9,562 fans at Grady Field, the Cortland Red Dragons secured a 28-17 victory over the Ithaca Bombers to close out an undefeated regular season. The win marked Cortland’s third 10-0 season in program history and extended their winning streak to 22 games as they prepare for the upcoming NCAA playoffs.
Senior quarterback Zac Boyes and sophomore running back Ethan Gallo both played key roles in the victory, collectively rushing for 315 yards and two touchdowns. Reflecting on the electric atmosphere in Cortland, Gallo expressed gratitude.
“Having all the hype around the game is what makes Cortaca so fun for the players and fans,” said Gallo. “Being on the field with thousands of fans is such a privilege, and I’m grateful to be here.”
After Cortland’s opening drive ended in a quick three-and-out, Ithaca capitalized immediately. On a third-down at midfield, running back Jake Williams turned a screen pass into a 56-yard touchdown, catching the Red Dragons defense off-guard.
Cortland responded with creativity on their next drive. Boyes lateralled the ball to sophomore receiver Sam Cotton, who launched a 42-yard touchdown pass to senior receiver Jaden AlfanoStJohn. The stands erupted as AlfanoStJohn, wide open downfield, hauled in his 12th touchdown of the season to tie the game 7-7.
Despite starting on their own 13 yard line, Ithaca was able to respond with a drive capped off with another explosive play, this time a 58-yard run by running back Jalen Leonard-Osbourne. The run put the Bombers back in front with four minutes left in the opening quarter.
The Red Dragons wasted no time responding again, this time leaning on their ground game. The drive ended in a three-yard touchdown run by Gallo, his 20th of the season, bringing the game back to a 14-14 tie. Reflecting on his achievement, Gallo was quick to praise his offensive line for their crucial support.
“I wouldn’t be here without my offensive line. Those guys are my rocks, and without them, I can’t do my job,” Gallo said. “I’m incredibly grateful for the numbers I’ve put up, but like I said, it definitely helps to have the best offensive line in the country paving the way for me.”
The second quarter turned into a defensive battle, highlighted by a sack from senior defensive linemen Max Llewellyn and Nick Lardaro that forced Ithaca’s first punt of the game. Despite the momentum shift, the Red Dragons squandered an opportunity to claim their first lead, turning the ball over on downs at Ithaca’s five-yard line.
After Ithaca’s offense failed to pick up a single first down while backed up in their own territory, Cortland took over at midfield with a chance to take control. However, a mishandled snap late in the quarter gave Ithaca another opportunity.
Despite the opportunities being given to them by their defense, the Bombers’ offense struggled to find any rhythm, unable to generate movement in both the passing and running game. As the clock ticked down, both teams entered halftime still locked in a 14-14 tie.
Gallo reflected on the unpredictable nature of games like this, describing the emotional highs and lows teams face and how the flow of the game can change at any moment.
“Football games are like long, emotional rollercoasters,” Gallo said. “We had to stay focused on doing the hard things the right way. Over time, we started to wear them down, create explosive plays, and shift the momentum in our favor.”
Ithaca struck first in the third quarter with a 42-yard field goal, nudging ahead 17-14. But Cortland’s offense wasted no time reclaiming the lead. Two explosive runs by Gallo, totaling 49 yards, set up Boyes to find senior receiver CJ Messina in the back of the endzone for a five-yard touchdown.
The touchdown gave Cortland its first lead of the game at 21-17, and showcased the offensive versatility that has defined their undefeated season. Boyes, appearing on “The Division 1 Rejects” podcast earlier in the week, reflected on the growth of this year’s team.
“We’re a little more gritty than we were last year,” Boyes said. “We can definitely run the ball better, and our defense is playing really good football.”
The Red Dragons’ defense lived up to that billing, holding Ithaca to a three-and-out on their next possession. When Cortland reached Ithaca’s two-yard line early in the fourth quarter, a fumble halted their second-half momentum. However, the defense again rose to the occasion, forcing another three-and-out after Ithaca lost starting quarterback Matthew Parker to an injury.
With 10 minutes remaining and clinging to a four-point lead, Cortland orchestrated a drive to put the game away. Boyes carried the offense with his legs, rushing for 35 yards and capping the drive with a three-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 28-17.
Ithaca, now led by backup quarterback Colin Schumm, managed one final push, reaching Cortland’s 31-yard line. But the Red Dragons’ defense held the Bombers on fourth down, forcing a turnover on downs. Gallo’s first-down run on the final drive allowed Cortland to kneel out the clock and celebrate the victory.
The victory not only marked Cortland’s second consecutive Cortaca Jug win but also solidified their status as a top contender in the NCAA playoffs. Ranked second in the nation, the Red Dragons will receive a first-round bye and will host a second-round matchup at Cortland on November 30th.
Boyes summed up the day best in a postgame interview.
“It’s unbelievable, the atmosphere was insane today,” said Boyes. “Cortaca is so unique and so special, it’s just so much fun to play in, and it’s just awesome to send our fans home happy and send those guys home a little upset.”
Cortland will play the winner of the first-round playoff matchup between Endicott and Alfred State. The official NCAA Division III Football bracket can be found here: https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/football/d3/2024