Saturday September 17, 2005

The Road Warrior Cortland State Red Dragons won 27-6 at Kean University to move to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the NJAC. Cortland survived a lackluster 0-0 first half, scoring 27 unanswered points to open the second half against previously undefeated Kean.

Travell Robinson takes the handoff but finds an army of Red Dragons breaking through the line.

The Cortland defense set the tone early. After the Red Dragons won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half, Kean started at their own 20 led by quarterback A.J. Roque. Roque, the NJAC rookie of the year in 2004, was sacked twice on his first 3 snaps from center. DE Rich Coyne brought Roque down for a 10 yard loss on 1st down, then Bill Hauser caught Roque on 3rd down. Cortland took control of field position and had numerous opportunities to score early.

On Cortland's second possession, RB Matt Rickert fumbled at the Kean 21 yard line and the Cougars recovered. Cortland saw another drive stall at the Kean 30 yard line, where Derek Ziders missed a long 47 yard field goal attempt. Late in the first half Cortland's offense finally seemed to get in gear. On 2nd and 5 from the Kean 25 yard line, QB Alex Smith hit WR Anthony Morat over the middle. Morat cut toward the goal line and appeared to score a touchdown before losing the ball. However the officials ruled Morat fumbled before crossing the goal line, and another scoring opportunity was lost.

The Red Dragon defense kept giving Cortland chances to score however. Kean was unable to run the first half clock out on the ensuing possession after the controversial fumble ruling. On 3rd and 10 from the Kean 20 yard line, DL Dave Freglette ripped the ball out of the hands of Kean RB Travell Robinson. Freglette's heist gave Cortland the ball at the Kean 18 yard line with 27 seconds remaining in the half. However the gift was squandered by 2 incomplete passes, then a short completion from Smith to TE Paul Caughell. Derek Ziders missed a short 31 yard field goal attempt, and an abysmal first half for the Cortland offense ended. Cortland committed 5 turnovers in the first half - 2 lost fumbles and 3 interceptions. The Red Dragons were fortunate to enter half-time tied 0-0.

After the half the Cortland offense found its stride. The opening drive Cortland marched 61 yards for a touchdown. The balanced drive saw Smith complete all 3 of his passes for 26 yards, while Matt Rickert did the rest rushing for 35 yards. Rickert finished the drive pounding the ball 6 yards up the middle into the endzone. Cortland took a 7-0 lead.

The Cortland front opens up a running lane for Rickert, who gets Cortland's first touchdown of the contest.

Midway through the 3rd quarter the Red Dragon defense took the spotlight once more. After an Eric Czachor sack of Roque, LB Josh Jablonski sacked Roque from behind popping the ball loose. DL Adam Haas grabbed the fumble and rumbled 10 yards into the endzone. Cortland increased its lead to 14-0.

Josh Jablonski's sack causes A.J. Roque to fumble. Adam Haas takes the fumble 10 yards for a touchdown.

RB Dustin Bowser replaced an injured Matt Rickert late in the third quarter. The Red Dragon offense never missed a step, as Bowser's quick cuts kept the defense off balance. Early in the fourth quarter Bowser was stopped at the line of scrimmage for what appeared to be a short gain. But Bowser bounced off a tackler and darted down the left sideline. Once in the open nobody on the Kean defense could catch the speedy sophomore. Bowser ran 69 yards for the touchdown. After a missed extra point attempt Cortland led 20-0.

Never say die! Dustin Bowser bounces off the line and sprints 69 yards for the touchdown.

Paul Caughell lowers his shoulder after catching ball along sidelines.

However Bowser too was hobbled on the next Red Dragon possession. Freshman RB Andrew Giuliano (Westlake High) took over the backfield duties for the remainder of the game. On his first drive Giuliano carried the ball 4 times for 18 yards. On 2nd and 5 from the Kean 20 yard line, Alex Smith executed a great play action fake to Giuliano which froze the linebackers. Smith fired a dart to TE Paul Caughell in the endzone, and Cortland put the icing on the cake with a 27-0 lead. The defense would finally yield a score to Roque and the Kean Cougars, but Cortland won comfortably 27-6.

The Cortland offense finished the day with 242 yards rushing. The offensive line controlled scrimmage and allowed Bowser, Rickert, and Giuliano to run effectively all game long. Alex Smith and the Cortland passing game righted the ship in the 2nd half, and 7 different Red Dragons caught passes from Smith. The defense was exceptional once again holding Kean to minus 20 yards rushing for the day. The defense had 7 more sacks, 3 fumble recoveries, and an interception.

Adam Haas and the Cortland Red Dragons pressured A.J. Roque all afternoon.

The Red Dragons took care of business on their 3 game opening season road trip. The Red Dragons are undefeated and have 4 of their next 6 games at home. Cortland plays its first home game next Saturday against future NJAC member Buffalo State.