September 9, 2006. The Cortland State Red Dragons opened their 2006 campaign with a 52-14 victory at Morrisville. Cortland completely dominated the first half, with Alex Smith completing 12 of 16 passes for 177 yards and a touchdown. Matt Rickert rushed for 117 yards and 2 touchdowns on 16 rushes, Anthony Morat had 5 catches for 77 yards, and the Cortland defense pitched a first half shutout. By half-time the game was well in hand, with Cortland ahead 31-0.

It was the first ever home game for the Morrisville Mustangs as a Division III provisional member. After a pre-game ceremony celebrating Morrisville's promotion from the JUCO level, the Mustangs came out hitting hard. But the Cortland State Red Dragons quickly proved their veteran team was too good for Morrisville.

The Cortland defense held Morrisville to a three and out series on its first possession. The Red Dragon offense took over at their own 37 yard line and promptly marched 63 yards on 10 plays. Quarterback Alex Smith completed a 21 yard pass to wide receiver Anthony Morat down to the Mustangs' 16 yard line. Smith scrambled for 12 yards on the next play down to the 4 yard line. Two plays later Matt Rickert crashed into the end zone from 3 yards out to give Cortland a 7-0 lead.

The Red Dragons defense held Morrisville to another 3 three and out series. Matt Rickert broke outside right for 44 yards on the next drive, rumbling down to the Morrisville 14 yard line. The Mustangs defense held strong but kicker Matthew Mintz kicked a 24 yard field goal to put Cortland up 10-0.

Quarterback Bill Poling of Morrisville moved the Mustangs close to mid field on the ensuing drive. But on 3rd and 10 Poling was intercepted by linebacker Bill Hauser at the Cortland 47 yard line. The Cortland offense took advantage the turnover. Alex Smith threw over the middle to Mike Lane, who fought his way through traffic for 29 yards. The drive ended with a tight end Dave Fregelette catching an 8 yard touchdown pass from Smith. Mintz added the extra point and Cortland increased its lead to 17-0.

Cortland's Matt Berman hit Antonio Bond on the kickoff return knocking the ball free. Berman fell on the ball to give Cortland possession at the Morrisville 17 yard line. After a penalty set the Red Dragons back, Matt Rickert broke off a 17 yard run down to the Mustangs' 3 yard line. Rickert ran the ball into the end zone on the next play and Cortland was up 24-0.

Morrisville attempted to mount their own drive to get back into the game. But Poling was sacked by Matt Montpetit and Mike Connolly for a loss of 12 yards. Cortland took over after a punt at their own 25 yard line. The Red Dragons sprinted past the Morrisville defense for a 6 play 75 yard touchdown drive. Wide receiver Drew Lascari had a nifty catch and run along the side line for 43 yards. Then Smith found Morat again for 13 yards to the Mustangs' 19 yard line. After a personal foul on the home team moved the ball to the Morrisville 7 yard line, Smith took it himself for a 7 yard touchdown run. Cortland built its lead to 31-0 heading into the half.

The second half opened with Cortland on offense. Jeff Beck got things rolling with a 32 yard kickoff return. The Red Dragons put the ball on the ground and let their offensive line dominate the game. Cortland ran the ball 8 times for a 53 yard touchdown drive. Rickert got the first 3 carries, crashing through gaping holes for 20 yards. Then elusive Dustin Bowser got the call, breaking a 27 yard run on his first carry of the drive. Three plays later Bowser powered inside right for a 1 yard score. Cortland led 38-0.

The Red Dragons defense punished Morrisville on its first possession. Adam Haas shot through the line to tackle Mustangs back Dante Bryant for a 3 yard loss. Poling scrambled for no gain, then threw incomplete to bring up fourth down. Drew Lascari blocked the Morrisville punt, and fell on the ball in the end zone to increase Cortland's lead to 45-0. The game was getting out of hand for Morrisville.

The Mustangs hung tough. Many reserve players saw action the rest of the way, as Morrisville scored its first 2 touchdowns of the season. Poling stayed in the game to complete an 18 yard pass to Prince Mack for Morrisville's first score. Derrick Woodard returned a punt for Morrisville 36 yards to set up its next score. Dante Bryant scored on a 1 yard touchdown run to tighten the score to 45-14. Thereafter the Red Dragons regained their composure. Cortland scored the game's lone remaining score, as tailback Andrew Giuliano capped a 55 yard drive with a 3 yard touchdown run. Cortland won 52-14.

Cortland predictably outmatched Morrisville on this day. The Red Dragons offense dominated with a wide open attack, which mixed Smith's passing with the running of Rickert and Bowser. The offensive line controlled the action, opening up holes for the rushing attack and providing Smith plenty of protection. The Cortland defense was superb as usual. The first time pitched a shut out into the third quarter. On the negative side Cortland committed 11 penalties for 106 yards. That many infractions are likely to bite Cortland as the degree of difficulty increases on its schedule. With that in mind Cortland will need to tighten things up before powerful Brockport comes to town next week.

Morrisville has a lot to be proud of. They played Cortland tough and finally got their offense moving in the second half. The Mustangs are much further along in their inaugural season than the Pioneers of Utica were a few years back. Utica has since built itself a competitive program. I expect Morrisville will surpass them sooner than later. Coach Terry Dow from Ithaca has proven he knows how to build a program. He took Morrisville from the ground level and won multiple JUCO championships with the Mustangs. There is no reason to doubt he will have a strong team soon.