September 15, 2007. The Cortland State Red Dragons faced their first true test of the season, and came away with a frustrating 28-14 defeat at long time rival Brockport. The Brockport State Golden Eagles held Cortland to only 1 offensive touchdown to gain their first victory of the season.

Senior Mike Maciejewski caught 2 touchdown passes from Zach Luke to pace the Golden Eagles. Running backs Garet Lynch and Matt McCormick combined for 53 carries, 255 rushing yards, and 2 touchdowns.

Cortland missed 2 easy opportunities to score early in the football game. Running backs Dustin Bowser and Andrew Giuliano each fumbled the ball deep in Brockport territory in the first half of a scoreless game. Brockport broke the deadlock in the second quarter, when Luke found Maciejewski over the center of the field for a 39-yard touchdown pass. Brockport had an opportunity to add another score prior to half time, but Red Dragon Jeff Beck made a key interception at the Cortland 1-yard line to keep the score 7-0 going into the locker room.

The second half began with a short Cortland drive which ended in a punt. Brockport took over at its 15-yard line and proceeded to march 85 yards on 9 plays. The Golden Eagle running game contributed 67 of the 85 yards as the Brockport offensive line began to dominate the line of scrimmage. Lynch ended the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run. The extra point was fumbled, leaving Brockport ahead 13-0.

Cortland failed to move the football in its attempt to rally from behind. However the Red Dragons gained new life early in the fourth quarter. Greg Steward blocked Golden Eagle Jeff Cook's field goal attempt at the Cortland 23-yard line. Jim Smith scooped up the football and ran 77 yards for a Cortland touchdown, to cut the lead to 13-7.

Brockport immediately answered the Cortland score on what would prove to be the game clinching drive. The Golden Eagles marched 65 yards on only 7 plays, capped by a Matt McCormick 11-yard touchdown run. McCormick then threw to Maciejewski for a 2-point conversion play to put Brockport ahead 21-7.

The teams traded touchdowns down the stretch, and Brockport broke a 2 game losing streak to Cortland with a 28-14 victory.

There were few bright spots for Cortland. The Red Dragons struggled offensively without injured quarterback Alex Smith. Ray Miles threw for 120 yards, both running backs had key lost fumbles, and the offensive line did not consistently open running lanes. Defensively Cortland held its own in the first half. But in the second half the larger Brockport offensive line clearly wore down the Cortland defense, and the Golden Eagles were able to rush for 248 yards on the day.

It is clear Brockport is much better than their opening season 40-14 loss to Salisbury suggested. This appears to be a team which, if it can get consistent quarterback play, should be able to hang with Ithaca, Wesley, and St. John Fisher. Don't be surprised to see Brockport win 1 or 2 of those games.

From a Cortland perspective, the team needs to prove it can move the football against a quality defense. Miles has to return to his form prior to injury in 2006, the offensive line has to give Bowser and Giuliano better lanes, and the two backs have to take better care of the football in the red zone.

We learned very little about Cortland in last week's easy victory over Morrisville. The Brockport game was the first true test of where Cortland stands, and right now post season play should not even be considered. The Red Dragons can still be an upper tier NJAC team in 2007, but a lot of improvement will need to take place in the interim for this to occur.

Cortland hosts Buffalo State to open its NJAC season next Saturday.