Saturday September 24, 2005

Cortland State lost for the first time in the 2005 campaign as the Buffalo State Bengals spoiled the Red Dragons home opener 27-20. The Red Dragons fumbled the ball 5 times and committed 3 turnovers. The Buffalo State Bengals appeared more motivated than Cortland, in winning its first game in 3 tries. Buffalo State out-gained Cortland 343-229 in total yardage and kept the ball for nearly 36 minutes.

The game started as expected, with the previously undefeated Red Dragons jumping out to a quick 13-0 lead. A personal foul penalty gave Cortland possession at the Buffalo State 38 yard line with 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Alex Smith scrambled for 14 yards, then connected with Zak Carter for 8 yards to set up a 27 yard field goal by Derek Ziders. Cortland led 3-0.

On Buffalo State's next possession QB Mike Mikolaichik was intercepted by Greg Steward at the Bengals 45 yard line, who returned it 15 yards to the 30. HB Andrew Giuliano rushed the ball 5 times for 24 yards down to the Buffalo State 6 yard line, but the drive stalled. Ziders kicked a 23 yard field goal and Cortland led 6-0.

The Red Dragons defense struck again on the next possession. DL Adam Haas hurried Mikolaichik into an interception. Greg Steward grabbed his second pickoff of the day, and this time raced 58 yards for the touchdown. Cortland was comfortably on top, 13-0.

Pressure by Adam Haas forces a Mikolaichik interception

Greg Steward returns interception for a touchdown. Steward had 2 interceptions for Cortland.

But Buffalo State would get the offense moving on the next drive, and it would not be slowed for the remainder of the game. Behind the running of RB James Perkins and the passing of Mikolaichik, Buffalo State marched 82 yards on 19 plays. The drive ended when Mikolaichik hit Greg Myers on a screen pass for a 10 yard touchdown. Buffalo State crept closer at 13-7 midway through the second quarter. The score stayed the same until the second half, when Cortland appeared to be taking control back. The Red Dragons drove the ball down to the Buffalo State 27 yard line, but an errant pitch by Alex Smith on the option was covered by the Bengals at their own 44. Buffalo State capitalized with a 56 yard drive that ended with a 1 yard James Perkins touchdown run. Buffalo State had their first lead, 14-13.

Cortland drove the ball to midfield behind the running of Dustin Bowser on its next possession. But Alex Smith lost the ball dropping back to pass, and the Bengals' Justin Bodnar grabbed the ball and ran 30 yards to the Cortland 10. Perkins scored on a 7 yard touchdown run to increase the Buffalo State lead to 21-13.

Mikolaichik passed for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns against his former team

In the fourth quarter Buffalo State put the icing on the cake. Mikolaichik and the Bengals drove the ball from their own 9 yard line to the Cortland end zone in only 8 plays. The key play saw Mikolaichik throw a 49 yard bomb to Jonathan Allen, who out-leaped CB Jeff Beck for the catch. FB Bob Versona burst up the middle for a 28 yard rush a few plays later, with Stef Sair's diving tackle saving a touchdown. But on third and goal Mikolaichik found Allen again for a 3 yard touchdown pass. The extra point was blocked, and the Bengals led 27-13 with 10:09 remaining.

Bob Versona's 28 yard run sets up a Bengal touchdown

Cortland started their next possession at their own 24 yard line. On the very first play Smith fumbled another option pitch, which Bowser recovered for a 17 yard loss. The Red Dragons were their own worst enemy on this day. Buffalo State took possession and effectively rushed the ball, taking precious time off the clock. A late 32 yard touchdown pass from Smith to Anthony Morat brought Cortland back to within 27-20 with 2:13 remaining. However the ensuing onside kick was recovered by Buffalo State, which ran out the clock for the victory.

As webmaster for CortlandFootball.com, I do my best to explain what happened and why each weekend. This is one weekend where I wish someone else had written the story, so they could explain to me why this happened. Cortland was dead flat, the offense was at times horrendous, and the defense finally cracked. The same Buffalo State team which lost 45-7 last week stomped Cortland on this day. Cortland has some serious questions to answer before the NJAC season continues next week. The offense needs to move the ball enough to take the pressure off the defense, and the defensive secondary needs to keep the play in front of them when the pass rush isn't as effective as it usually is.

Montclair State comes calling next Saturday.