Saturday September 10, 2005

Sweet Revenge. Cortland broke The College of New Jersey Lions jinx in convincing fashion 30-14 on Saturday in Trenton, N.J. The win moved Cortland to 2-0 for the first time since the 1997 NCAA Playoff team did so.

Defense was once again the story as Cortland had 4 sacks, 3 interceptions, a fumble recovery, and held New Jersey to under 200 yards of total offense. DL Adam Haas led the way with 3 more sacks and a forced fumble. TCNJ managed only 7 offensive points, as their other touchdown came on a defensive fumble return.

Eric Czachor pressures QB Chris Bell. Lions quarterbacks were harassed the entire game

Cortland struck early in the first quarter. TCNJ took the opening kickoff after Cortland deferred choice to the second half. On their third play quarterback Jeff Struble was intercepted near midfield by Cortland's Stef Sair, who returned the ball 43 yards to the TCNJ 9 yard line. Two plays later Cortland quarterback Alex Smith rolled out and sprinted into the end zone for a touchdown, and 6-0 Cortland lead. The extra point attempt was blocked.

Cortland's second offensive possession started at the 50 yard line after another strong defensive hold. Alex Smith hooked up with WR Drew Lascari for an 11 yard gain on third down to keep the drive alive. After a short completion to WR Anthony Morat at the TCNJ 34 yard line, Smith went up top and connected with RB Matt Rickert in the end zone for the touchdown. Cortland increased its lead to 13-0.

Matt Rickert hauls in a 34 yard touchdown pass from Alex Smith

The game appeared to be headed toward a blowout until a huge special teams play and defensive hit put TCNJ back in the game. On fourth and 2 from its own 33 yard line, TCNJ appeared to be going for the first down. But QB Jeff Struble quick kicked the ball down field. A big bounce on the Astroturf field sent the ball 64 yards down to the Cortland 3 yard line. On the second play from scrimmage Lions defender Miles Shankin put a tough hit on Rickert, the ball bounced loose, and was run into the end zone by TCNJ to cut the score to 13-7.

The score stayed the same until early in the second quarter when the Red Dragons defense struck again. On 2nd and 10 DL Adam Haas pursued QB Jeff Struble around the right side, then forced a fumble which was recovered by LB Bill Hauser at the Lions 19 yard line. The offense immediately took advantage as Alex Smith threw a 19 yard touchdown pass to Anthony Morat on the first play of the possession. Cortland took a 20-7 lead after the Derek Ziders extra point and held the advantage until half-time.

Haas jars the ball loose for a big turnover

After the half TCNJ came out of the locker room fired up and quickly gained the momentum. The Lions defense held Cortland on its first possession, sacking Smith back at his own 11 yard line. The Red Dragons punted the ball back to TCNJ, which took control with a short field at the Cortland 39 yard line. On their first play QB Chris Bell, who came in to relieve Struble, found Alan Kotteles in the endzone to pull the Lions to within 20-14. It was the first offensive score for TCNJ all day, and it would be their last.

The Red Dragons squashed any momentum TCNJ had with big plays in clutch situations. On the ensuing drive the offense drove the ball from its own 36 down to the Lions 38 yard line. RB Dustin Bowser was the workhorse rushing for 26 yards on the drive, and showing his ability to cut better than any Dragon tailback. Although the drive did not produce a score, it was an important stand for the offense as TCNJ was close to catching Cortland. After a defensive stand and a Lions personal foul, Cortland kicker Derek Ziders kicked a 33 yard field goal to increase the Cortland lead to 23-14 with 7:13 remaining in the third quarter.

Dustin Bowser cuts through the middle of the Lions defensive front

Chuck Eich dives to tackle Ryan Ross on the sideline

Early in the fourth quarter TCNJ forced Alex Smith into his first interception of the season. Lions DB Andrew Larkin stepped in front of the pass and returned it 50 yards to the Cortland 29 yard line. But Red Dragons CB Jeff Beck killed the Lions comeback with an interception of Chris Bell in the endzone.

Midway through the fourth quarter TCNJ drove deep into Cortland territory before LB Bill Hauser wrapped up RB Ramie Roye for a 5 yard loss. The Lions were forced into a field goal attempt after a short completion. Dustin Bowser dove in front of the attempt by TCNJ's Blake Abbot, blocked the kick, and returned it 5 yards. Fitting that it would be the defense and Bowser once again who put the icing on the cake. With under 2 minutes to go and TCNJ desperate for a score, Chris Bell was intercepted by Josh Jablonski at the Cortland 38 yard line. Jablonski returned the interception 30 yards to the TCNJ 32 yard line. After two 4 yard rushes by Bowser, his third rush up the middle resulted in a 24 yard sprint to the end zone. Cortland cemented the win, 30-14.

Dustin Bowser breaks through to block Blake Abbot's field goal attempt

It was a great win for Cortland over an old nemesis, and a perfect way to open up the NJAC season. While the defense clearly stole the spotlight again, the offense looked better than it did in week one. Both Bowser (16 carries for 88 yards, 1 TD) and Rickert (22 carries for 95 yards) contributed to the ground game. Alex Smith was steady once more at quarterback throwing for 2 touchdowns and rushing for another. Derek Ziders and Jimmy Cunneen were solid as place kicker and punter respectively. And the special teams coverage and return unit showed improvement from week one. The offense still needs to stretch the field more, but right now the team should be feeling very good about themselves at 2-0. Cortland visits undefeated Kean next weekend in NJAC play. The Kean Cougars will have had 2 full weeks to prepare for the Red Dragons.