September 23, 2006. Cortland opened their NJAC season successfully with a 38-20 victory over Buffalo State. The win avenged a Red Dragons loss to the Bengals last season. The game was well in hand by the half with Cortland building a 31-7 lead. Cortland extended the lead to 38-7 in the third quarter. Buffalo State scored 2 touchdowns late in the game to make the game appear closer than it was.

Cortland scored on its opening drive to take an early lead. After the defense forced a punt, Stef Sair returned the punt 36 yards to the Bengals' 35-yard line. Quarterback Alex Smith completed 2 consecutive passes for 17 yards to Drew Lascari. After a personal foul moved the ball to the 9-yard line, Matt Rickert ran the ball in for a 7-0 Red Dragons advantage.

Buffalo State immediately struck back. Facing 3rd down and 12 from its own 27-yard line, Buffalo State quarterback Dan Aquilo completed a pass outside to Jason Brown. Brown made a defender miss and sprinted for a 73-yard touchdown. The long touchdown completion ignited the Buffalo State sideline and tied the score at 7-7.

Cortland put together a 39-yard drive touchdown drive late in the first quarter. Once again it was Sair who set up the drive with a 45-yard punt return. Alex Smith found tight end Paul Caughell for 17 yards. Matt Rickert finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run to put Cortland up 14-7. The Cortland defense gave the ball back to the offense two plays later. Stef Sair hit receiver Tom Cocker after a short pickup. The ball popped loose and linebacker Matt Montpetit recovered the fumble on the Buffalo State 15-yard line. A penalty pushed Cortland backward but Alex Smith completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Matt Rickert on third down. Cortland increased the advantage to 21-7. The Red Dragons would not relinquish their lead.

Kicker Matthew Mintz capped off another long Cortland drive with a 33-yard field goal at the 7:08 mark of the second quarter. Cortland now led 24-7. The game was effectively cemented late in the first half when Matt Montpetit intercepted a pass at the Cortland 18-yard line. The senior tri-captain returned the interception 39 yards into Bengals territory. Alex Smith hooked up with junior wide receiver Shawn Arce for 30 yards. Smith then found fullback Mike Emard for a 12-yard touchdown pass, and Cortland took a 31-7 lead.

Alex Smith connected with Keith Greene for a 41-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Again it was Sair who set up the touchdown. The senior safety returned a punt 23 yards into Buffalo State territory. With Cortland ahead 38-7 much of the starters were able to rest for the fourth quarter. Buffalo State scored the game's remaining points to pull within 38-20.

Buffalo State had success running the ball against Cortland. The Bengals once again eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark against Cortland, as it had last season. Brockport transfer Dan Lopez had 90 yards rushing on 16 carries. However the Cortland offense, and the punt returns of Stef Sair, stole the show. Alex Smith had a solid game with 241 yards passing and 3 touchdowns. Smith again spread the ball, with 3 different Red Dragons catching touchdowns and 8 Red Dragons catching passes. Junior Shawn Arce made a strong statement for future playing time with 65 yards receiving to lead the team. Matt Rickert had 2 touchdowns rushing, and another receiving. Keith Greene caught a long touchdown pass and continues to develop into an impact receiver.

Cortland hosts William Paterson in an NJAC showdown next week at 1 pm.