FB: Empire 8

[IC798891]

What in God's name happened in Cortland today???

Look, Grove City is clearlt building something. And Cortland is hitting the reset button on the Fitzpatrick/Boyes era.

But, second team all-American Ethan Gallo has 7 carries for 14 yards? Third team all-American Joe Iadevaio has 1 catch for 19 yards? Six interceptions from the QBs? That's...sub-optimal

Thankfully, they have seven weeks until Brockport, which has been their only true test in the E8 for years.

[IC798891]

Utica took Washington and Jefferson to the *cleaners* on the road. The Pioneers may be the early favorite in the clubhouse. All due respect to Brockport's dominating win but...it was Buffalo State

[XREDDRAGON77]

Cortland took a dump today on their field. Was hard to watch! They have weapons at the skill positions. Iadevio back at receiver, 2 other solid returners in Zeva and Cotton. Their best receiver performance was from a D1aa transfer! So 4 solid receiver threats! Gallo was not a factor and that's with 3 returning linemen! 6 picks and 1 fumble... while looking to tie the game too!

For as bad as it was, they had a shot to tie it but didn't. Went on a 4th down late in the game deep in their own territory and didn't convert. GCC tacked on the last score for the cherry on top! Oh well... hopefully next week sees some improvement.

[IC798891]

This is the most hindsight is 20-20 thing ever, but I'll ask it, since I'm bored.

In 2024, Cortland had three senior QBs on the roster, and Rescigno was a first year QB. They spent 7 of the the first 8 weeks of the season absolutely humiliating teams. I wonder if there was any thought to playing him in any of these blowouts just to get him some reps with an eye towards 2025?

I know mop up time against Hartwick, Fisher, and Alfred wouldn't have exactly been a dress rehearsal for Grove City, but while he made some nice throws, he at other times (especially on some of his interceptions) very much looked like a QB taking his first snaps.

[XREDDRAGON77]

There were rumors that Rescigno was gonna start the Springfield playoff game last year...but Boyes was cleared. Prior to that, the only guy getting game reps was not Mike R. And he was a senior. Head scratcher.. Again...just hearsay!

[Bartman]

Utica D1 QB Transfer from Albany/Robert Morris Tyler Szalkowski passes for over 500 yards in win over W&J. At Robert Morris had 2 starts with 5 INTs. He carved up W&J and throws Utica in the mix for E8 title. With drop off from Cortland ,and Brockport and Alfred feeling good after Week One this will be interesting.

[IC798891]

There were rumors that Rescigno was gonna start the Springfield playoff game last year...but Boyes was cleared. Prior to that, the only guy getting game reps was not Mike R. And he was a senior. Head scratcher.. Again...just hearsay!

The real 3D chess move would have been starting him against Hilbert.

But even if that's too clever by half, I just don't get how you're not sitting there thinking "Let's get him some college reps. It wasn't like 1-2 games either. There were probably half a dozen games he could have seen action.

Well, it's a moot point now, but as Bartman points out, with Utica looking suddenly dangerous, and Brockport still being Brockport, the Red Dragons will have to get better in a hurry

[Kahuna67]

One game does not make or break a season. Especially a non conference game. The Red Dragons will be going through some growing pains with new starters to go along with their new coaches and new schemes. The conference looks to be more competitive this season and as a fan thats exciting to see! Big eye opener from Utica with another QB transfer with a UALbany connection! Alfred knocking off Hobart! Fisher AND Hartwick with wins to start the year off! Brockport looking to take the next step and get back to the top. Should be a great year to watch!

[IC798891]

Can someone who listened to the audio of the Cortland game help me understand something?

In the 2nd half, Cortland had three straight drives with the score 21-14. Ethan Gallo got zero carries on those three drives — and of course, just 8 total. Was he hurt? Was Grove City keying on him? It just seems so odd to me that during a close game where the passing game was so clearly not working, a back as good as him got so few carries

[XREDDRAGON77]

Just an assumption...most likely due to being an RPO based offense. Run reads and keys were not there. Hence the disproportionate run/pass ratio! Could be totally wrong, but when you run an option offense, you take what's given on the fly! I'm not talking about triple option...

[IC798891]

Just an assumption...most likely due to being an RPO based offense. Run reads and keys were not there. Hence the disproportionate run/pass ratio! Could be totally wrong, but when you run an option offense, you take what's given on the fly! I'm not talking about triple option...

I figured this might be the case. Though it seems less than ideal that a good defensive team can essentially force Cortland to abandon giving the ball to their 2nd team AA

[UfanBill]

Halftime Cortland 7 - Union 6 in a game with far too many mistakes on both sides. The Garnet Chargers are holding their own against the 2023 champs. 

[UfanBill]

Union vs Cortland...Anyone that watched this game in it's entirety knows that it was a much closer game than the final score indicates. Cortland impressed me only with the ability of Resigno and Gallo to make tacklers miss and lucked out defensively when Union QB Flanagan overthrew a wide open receiver and was picked off inside the 5 yard line and later stripped of the ball at the 2 when the play maybe should have been blown dead with forward progress stopped. Either of those potential touchdowns could have made for a Union victory. IMO Cortland is a far cry from a Top 25 team presently. Union had it's hands full with two top opponents and these games should immensely help them get ready for their Liberty League schedule. 

[XREDDRAGON77]

Cortland isn't the team they were during the last 4 campaigns. They look more along the lines of the 8-2 type teams from before the Fitz era.
Union looked much like Cortland last week. Did enough to make you think "What if" when you eliminate the turn overs. Cortland caught some breaks today.