October 20, 2007. The Cortland State Red Dragons improved to 5-0 in the NJAC and 6-1 overall with a resounding 43-13 win over the Montclair Red Hawks. Cortland scored the last 33 points of the game, and outscored Montclair 27-0 in the second half. Greg Steward had 2 of Cortland's 3 interceptions, including an 87-yard return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Steward's return was the second longest in school history.

The Cortland defense forced the Red Hawks to punt after one first down to start the game. Ricky Case rushed in and blocked the Montclair punt, giving the Red Dragons a first down at the Montclair 10-yard line. Three plays later Ray Miles passed 4 yards to Keith Greene for a Cortland touchdown. Matthew Mintz added the extra point to give Cortland a 7-0 lead.

Quarterback Michael Jump and the Montclair offense answered back on their next drive. Jump found running back Jeff Bliss for a 32-yard catch and run into Cortland territory. Jeff Papcun caught a 21-yard touchdown pass from Jump to end the drive, and tie the score at 7-7. The Red Hawks covered 80 yards on 10 plays.

Jeff Beck gave the Cortland offense a kick start by returning the ensuing kickoff 30 yards to near mid field. Paul Caughell had a key third down reception for 16 yards to move the football to the Montclair 27-yard line. Matthew Mintz connected on a 41-yard field goal to put Cortland back on top 10-7.

The Montclair offense kept coming in the first half. On its next drive, the Red Hawks kept the chains moving against a frustrated Cortland defense. Brandon Fronjian caught a 22-yard pass from Jump to move the football into Cortland territory. Jeff Bliss ended the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to put Montclair ahead 13-10. The extra point was missed, but Montclair had worn down the Cortland defense with a 15-play 80-yard march.

The score held through much of the remainder of the first half. The Cortland defense came up big to thwart another Montclair drive. Facing third down and 3 yards to go from the Cortland 23-yard line, Montclair called on Jeff Bliss again. But Jim Smith and Richard Rollo stacked him up in the backfield for a 2-yard loss. The Red Hawks missed a 42-yard field goal on fourth down, and Cortland took over at the 25-yard line with just 1:12 remaining before the half.

Ray Miles completed 5 of 6 passes, spreading the ball to his wide receivers, tight end, and running backs. Cortland efficiently moved the football to the Montclair 22-yard line, well within field goal range. But a holding penalty pushed Cortland back to the 32-yard line with just 4 seconds to play. With one more play before the half, Miles threw long to Zacc Guaragno in the end zone. Guaragno leaped and made a touchdown reception over his defender, but Guaragno was called for an illegal shift. After the ball was placed back at the 37-yard line, Miles went right back to work. After being flushed out of the pocket, Miles threw a bomb toward Guaragno, who once again leaped high over the defender to catch another touchdown pass. The play stood, and Cortland took a 16-13 lead into the locker room. The ensuing extra point was blocked by Montclair, ending Matthew Mintz' incredible streak of 70 consecutive extra points made.

Early in the third quarter Kyle Peterson boomed a 43-yard punt for Cortland. Greg Steward's excellent coverage distracted the return man, who muffed the punt return. Guaragno recovered the ball for Cortland at the Montclair 28-yard line. The Red Dragons offense took advantage. After a 5-yard rush by Dustin Bowser, Miles hit Dave Fregelette on a 17 yard pass play to the Montclair 6-yard line. Then Miles found Mike Sveda for a 6-yard touchdown pass to put Cortland ahead 23-13.

Cortland made a few adjustments defensively after the half, and Montclair was unable to sustain a drive against the Red Dragons. Meanwhile the Cortland offense continued to march the field. The next drive started at the Cortland 24-yard line. A 7-play 58-yard drive, including a 38-yard run by Bowser and a 16-yard run by Andrew Giuliano, ended in a 35-yard field goal by Mintz. Mid way through the third quarter, Cortland had increased its lead to 26-13.

Early in the fourth quarter Greg Steward intercepted Jump, and returned the football 28 yards to the Montclair 2-yard line. Andrew Giuliano ran the football into the end zone to give Cortland a 33-13 lead.

After Mintz nailed another field goal, this one from 33-yards, Cortland took a commanding 36-13 lead. Late in the fourth quarter, Montclair drove to the Cortland 24-yard line. Jump threw toward the Montclair sideline where Steward grabbed his second interception at the Cortland 13-yard line. Steward raced back down the Montclair sideline, making several players miss. The 87-yard interception return for a touchdown ended the scoring at 43-13.

Cortland played an excellent game to defeat a strong Montclair football team. Dustin Bowser and Andrew Giuliano combined for 134 yards on 26 carries. Matthew Mintz was a perfect 3-for-3 in field goal attempts. Ray Miles completed 13-of-22 passes for an efficient 164 yards. Eight different Red Dragons had receptions.

Freshman Brian Haas had a game high 14 tackles and a sack. Kyle Pierce and Ben Nagle added sacks for the Cortland defense, which held Montclair to just 1.9 yards per carry.

Cortland travels to league unbeaten TCNJ next Saturday. The following Saturday, Cortland hosts defending champion Rowan.