FB: Empire 8

[WRMUalum13]

Congrats to Cortland on a very impressive win!  Stagg Bowl should be very competitive.  Good luck from Michigan!

I'm hoping it's competitive but Cortland is really going to have a tall task against all the NCC playmakers. Wartburg figured out how to get some stops but their defense is probably the best in D3. IMO the only way for Cortland to have a chance is to keep the NCC offense off the field with sustained drives turnovers and playing a perfect game.

[XREDDRAGON77]

You're not wrong with what you're saying... But that's why the game is being played! Nobody gave the Dragons a shot v Alma and many of us thought the road was going to end at RMC. If the Cortland offense does what it's done almost all season (minus Grove City and Endicott), things could be fun to watch! If we have any chance, I see it being a track meet or basketball game!

[Pat Coleman]

Nobody gave the Dragons a shot v Alma

One prediction (ahem, mine) was a three-point game and two others were a four-point game.

People absolutely gave Cortland a shot vs. Alma, even if Alma's quarterback were healthy the whole game.

[IC798891]

What's so unique is how Cortland's games have become bigger blowouts the further we get into it.

The first two games come down to essentially the final plays. Then they pull away from Alma in the second half to win by 17 and barely break a sweat vs. Macon. Kind of reminds me of IC's run in 1988, when they could have easily lost the first two rounds, but then rolled in the National semis.

[XREDDRAGON77]

Hope it holds true for 1 more week! The Red Dragons should have a solid fan base coming down! Can't wait to get down there and soak it in! It's finals week, as with almost everywhere else! With the school having such a party town reputation, I wouldn't be shocked if there is a good student turnout!

[emma17]

Sorry if this was covered already- did Cortland lose a receiver in the last game?  I saw a guy get carried off, maybe in fourth quarter.

[Pat Coleman]

Yes, JJ Laap suffered what looked like a hamstring injury.

[robertgoulet]

Sorry if this was covered already- did Cortland lose a receiver in the last game?  I saw a guy get carried off, maybe in fourth quarter.

Certainly seems like both teams are likely to be missing important pieces.

[XREDDRAGON77]

Cortland was down 3  O Linemen in their first 2 playoff games. Not sure how directly that impacted those low offensive numbers, but it can't be totally dismissed. I'm pretty sure they were back the last 2 games.

[Jonny Utah]

Just read the piece on Cole Burgess on the front page.  He was suspended for a YEAR for having an off campus party during COVID?  That seems insane.

[New Tradition]

Just read the piece on Cole Burgess on the front page.  He was suspended for a YEAR for having an off campus party during COVID?  That seems insane.

Completely insane--especially in the fall of 2020.  This was in the lull between the Alpha and Delta variants.  We knew very well at that point what the virus was at that point and who it affected.  I got married in late September of 2020.  We had a full, mask optional wedding and nobody got sick.  We invited 220 and about 150 felt comfortable coming.  I'm sure this would have exceeded whatever arbitrary limit was imposed by the school/municipality.  Grateful I didn't lose my job or get kicked out of school.  Holy smokes!

[XREDDRAGON77]

Guess everything happens for a reason! Worked out well so far for Cortland! That was a great article! Glad Cole Burgess got back on track.

[unionpalooza]

Just read the piece on Cole Burgess on the front page.  He was suspended for a YEAR for having an off campus party during COVID?  That seems insane.

This was my reaction too - just bonkers.  A testament to the mess that is today's higher education nanny state culture; college and university administrators decided they wanted to control every aspect of students' live, and are now reaping the whirlwind.

Good for Burgess for sticking it out, and good for the football program for giving him something worth coming back for.  I imagine plenty of other kids would have been thrown off track, never making it back to school, and ending up with a very different life trajectory.

[cardinaldad]

Good for him! It says a lot about his character!  Quite a story!

[IC798891]

Best of luck to Cortland tonight!