FB: Empire 8

[jdex]

National champion Cortland welcomes Hilbert into conference play in RDragons' '24 season opener Sept. 7 in Hamburg. Third-year program, Hilbert looking for first win in 15 starts.
  Cortland home opener following week vs. Lycoming, then journey to Susquehanna -- lone eleven to trip Red & White last fall. Those non-conference foes followed by Empire dates with Morrisville (h), Utica (a), Alfred (a), St. John Fisher (h), Hartwick (h) and Brockport (a). Cortaca finale Nov. 16 at C-State.

[jdex]

Congrats to Cortland receivers Cole Burgess and JJ Laap for getting shots at pro game. At conclusion of weekend NFL draft Burgess was signed by Cinci Bengals whose new offensive coordinator is Cortland grad/qb Dan Pitcher. Laap inks with LA Rams.

More on D3 selections on D3 Football page ....

[xiaocheng12]

SUNY Brockport Football Schedule      
5-Sep   Buffalo State   Home
14-Sep   Susquehanna   Away
21-Sep   Wilkes   Home
5-Oct   St John Fisher   Home
12-Oct   Hartwick   Away
19-Oct   Hilbert   Away
26-Oct   Morrisville   Home
2-Nov   Utica   Away
9-Nov   Cortland   Home
16-Nov   Alfred   Away

[AUPepBand]

Just checking in to report "The Boys Are Back in Town!"
Let's go Saxons!

[Kahuna67]

Good Luck to all the Empire 8 teams as the season approaches!

[IC798891]

JJ Lapp absolutely *torched* a CB from Ole Miss last night on a 50-yard go route

I really think we're under appreciating what the loss of him and Burgess are for Cortland. It's not going to be about replacing the yards. The way teams had to defend Cortland last year is something no D3 defense is equipped to do.

[Bartman]

JJ Lapp absolutely *torched* a CB from Ole Miss last night on a 50-yard go route

I really think we're under appreciating what the loss of him and Burgess are for Cortland. It's not going to be about replacing the yards. The way teams had to defend Cortland last year is something no D3 defense is equipped to do.

I will withhold  my opinion until the scrimmage between Hobart and Cortland at the Boz next Wednesday(8/28). Cortland had games where they blew people away last year but they also lost to Susquehanna and had 2 one point wins. I'm thinking with the return of the starting QB, who was spectacular that Cortland will reload where they need to but, the loss of Lapp and Burgess will be impossible to fill with like for like. Hobart is retooling on the DB side, so if they get torched on a few plays I won't be surprised , but if the defense is effective against the Dragons, it will indicate more work for them to replace these two All Americans WR's. I know Hobart is looking forward to the challenge of the scrimmage to test their team against a #2 preseason squad.I am also a big fan of Cortland , as they really showed the D3 world that New York/Northeast is relevant again.

[Bartman]

JJ Lapp waived by the Rams yesterday. He had a great camp including a game winning TD catch, but the Rams are way too deep at WR. Perhaps he'll be picked up by another team /make someone's practice squad.

[XREDDRAGON77]

Burgess and Lapp were freaks! They were almost synergistic! No way those guys can be replaced, but the Dragons will have viable weapons returning. Luckily we get Iadeivio(spelling)WR and Kendrick (TE) back. I believe there were a couple other receivers in the stable that were injured, allowing Joe Iadeivio to have a shot!

At one point in the playoffs, Cortland was playing with 3 O- Linemen off the bench due to injuries. They weren't back to full strength until the Alma game.

Last year's squad was special! They will be good this year! Run game should be the same if not better. Pass game should be effective but probably nothing like last year. Defensively we should be as good or better with the number of players back. Even as a die hard fan, I'm not comparing them to last year's group.

[jdex]

Luckily we get Iadeivio(spelling)WR and Kendrick (TE) back. I believe there were a couple other receivers in the stable that were injured, allowing Joe Iadeivio to have a shot!

The junior Iadevaio will miss the season with injury (heard lower body) sustained in spring camp. Big loss, though RDragons' roster quite deep with 34 seniors. Supposedly with scrum last Saturday vs. Keystone and upcoming midweek with Hobart

[D3fanboy]

Luckily we get Iadeivio(spelling)WR and Kendrick (TE) back. I believe there were a couple other receivers in the stable that were injured, allowing Joe Iadeivio to have a shot!

The junior Iadevaio will miss the season with injury (heard lower body) sustained in spring camp. Big loss, though RDragons' roster quite deep with 34 seniors. Supposedly with scrum last Saturday vs. Keystone and upcoming midweek with Hobart

Sucks for Iadevaio.  Will be a real "chicken or egg" situation for the Cortland QB.  Losing 2 WR to NFL camps and a preseason All-American will be tough to replace.  From how he carved up NCC, I'd expect him to be pretty dominant even with the pressure of developing a new WR crew

[XREDDRAGON77]

Looks like Burgess made the practice squad! Big W for a D3 guy!

[Bartman]

Cortland WRs had no problem catching some well placed passes from Boyes last night in the scrimmage against Hobart. The Running game was stopped at times but had some big breakaway plays. The defense was very strong. I think Cortland has filled whatever gaps they had from last year very well and Red Dragon fans will have a great year. What a difference 5 years makes when Hobart beat the Red Dragons in the old NY State Bowl 30-10 in 2019.

[Kahuna67]

Utica travels to Buffalo State this afternoon for a scrimmage withe the Bengals. Will be interesting to see how each program has progressed from last year.

[XREDDRAGON77]

I'd think Utica would have the upper hand in that scrimmage!