FB: Empire 8

[XREDDRAGON77]

Next week is a big one! I'm sure Utica is going to come out swinging for the fences! I like this Dragon defense under Coach Blu. Here's to another week of bringing the wood!

[XREDDRAGON77]

Any Utica folks on the boards? So far the Pioneers seem to be as complete as they ever have been. As a program, they have definitely made strides through the years. Cortland seems to be playing well. If anything, their strength lies in their defensive unit. Offensively, they have the tools to strike from all across the field. I suspect this upcoming game is coming down to the trenches with possibly some X Factor efforts from the skill players. Both squads have some dudes...just more familiar with Cortland's dudes. Love to hear some other perspectives.

[IC798891]

The degree to which Cortland just owns this conference is comical. That pick 6 before halftime epitomized the last six years of futility with which these challengers have gotten obliterated by the Red Dragons.

(What an atrocious play call that was, too)

[jdex]

Actually was official 100yd INT return by CSt All American DB N. Jean-Lubin. Comes with Utica with one yard for TD and 0:01 on the clock. UC qb T. Szalkowski rolls right and pitches right to end zone where Jean-Lubin darts in front of receiver. Provides 28-7 RDragon halftime lead.
   Corts in charge for a quarter into second frame. Take 21-0 lead on three E. Gallo short td scampers. Second set up by qb M. Rescigno 71yd twisting run . Blocked punt lead to a third score.
   Szalkowski arm brings Pioneers back, particularly escaping 3rd-and-24 completion to Cortland 36 in Utica closing drive. Has 1st-and-goal from the four. Szalkowski 15x28 passing for 139yds after slow start. Dragon ground game at work, with Rescigno just 2x3, 42yds passing.

[IC798891]

Yawn. Another E8 "showdown" ends in a Cortland laugher, and the Red Dragons are still undefeated in conference play this decade, and, barring a stunner of epic proportions, will be 9-0 and locked into the playoffs heading into Cortaca.

Brockport sticking it to Joe Germinerio by making the playoffs after he went to Ithaca while the Bombers dinked around in an ECAC playoff game (again) in 2019 remains one of the funnier moments in Upstate NY football in recent memory. But unless Utica's QB plans to transfer to Ithaca next year to start up the irony merry-go-round for round 2, I'm guessing Cortland will continue to run the conference.

[jdex]

Cortland legs out 31-21 dismissal of homecoming-host Utica in test of unbeatens. RDragons run for 235yds of their 327 and 3 td total. Pioneers throw for 260yds of 320 total. But obvious key sequence  comes at 0:01 till half when N. Jean-Lubin goes CSt record 100 yards with interception. Twas 21-7 at the time.
    Corts could have sealed it on initial second half series but fumbled it away on first down pickup at UC 10. Settled in final half after reaching UC 2 for Collard 24yd FG making it 31-14.
    QB M. Rescigno lugs 13 times for 106 net yards; passes just 6x7 for 92yds in win. Got first hand taste of Utica strong-armed qb T. Szalkowski who delivers 260yds on 29x52 flips and THAT one INT. And Cortland secondary actually did well!! Utica converts 12 of 20 third down calls.
    Pioneer G. Zawold with 11 catches, 51yds; L. Frederick 2 td snags. Dragon S. Cotton 4 receptions for 76yds. E. Gallo 15x49yds, 3 td; J. Karma 6x54 running.
    No one inquired but wouldn't have minded the elusive Rescigno running more. Got off nifty 71 yd. early run leading to td.
    Cortland idle next week, then at Alfred, home to Fisher. 

[XREDDRAGON77]

Cortland looked unstoppable in the first half! One of their lone punts in the first half resulted from a drive that began with a 1st and 25 due to a dumb penalty. Punted but still came close to a first down. Solid team effort against a good Utica team that had a great home crowd!