ITHACA, N.Y. – It has been nearly two years to the day since Ithaca and Cortland have squared off for the Cortaca Jugs. That drought comes to an end this Saturday, November 13, as No. 18/18 Ithaca travels to No. 13/14 Cortland for a 12 p.m. kickoff at the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex for the 62nd Cortaca Jug Game. Ithaca is 8-1 on the season and Cortland is 9-0.
GAME COVERAGE
WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | ICTV (PREGAME) | GAME NOTES
STATISTICS
ITHACA | CORTLAND
ALL-TIME SERIES: Saturday marks the
62nd Cortaca Jug Game after a year hiatus due to the pandemic. It will also be the 79th all-time meeting between Ithaca and Cortland. In Jug Games, Ithaca owns a 37-24 edge and is 42-33-3 overall in the rivalry.
The Bombers have won each of the past three meetings, including the 32-20 win in 2019 at MetLife Stadium. Prior to that, Cortland had prevailed in seven straight contests.
Since the first game in the rivalry in 1930, a total of 38 contests have been decided by eight points or less.
RARITY OF SATURDAY'S MATCHUP: Over the storied rivalry of the Cortaca Jug and the rich history of Ithaca College and SUNY Cortland football, only on five occasions have both teams entered the contest with one loss or less since 1980 – when the game moved to the end of the season. This weekend will mark the sixth time ever.
In 1988, both teams were 8-0 during the regular season (IC and Cortland also played in the NCAA playoffs that season). In 1990, IC was 6-1, Cortland was 8-0. The following season, each team had one loss, as they did in 1997. In 2008, Cortland entered with a 9-0 mark and a No. 7 national ranking, while the Bombers were 8-1 and No. 17 – the last time both programs were ranked ahead of the Cortaca Jug – until Saturday.
PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS: Cortland has already earned a spot in the upcoming NCAA Division III Championship as an automatic qualifier out of the Empire 8 Conference. A win for the Red Dragons, who are currently ranked No. 1 in Region II, will bolster their resume and give them a perfect 10-0 mark heading into the 32-team tournament.
The Bombers are currently No. 5 in the region and will be a legitimate contender for an at-large bid to the tournament with a win on Saturday at Cortland. IC could also get in as an automatic qualifier if Union defeats RPI in Schenectady.
BAHAMONDE'S CAREER DAY LEADS TO HONORS: Nicholas Bahamonde was named Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the Week and D3football.com Kicker of the Week after his game against Union last week.
In the 26-7 win over then No. 11/13 Union, Bahamonde accounted for 14 points. He made all four field goals, tying a school record set in 1966, and made both extra points to go along with three touchbacks. Bahamonde also moved into sole possession of first on the single season field goals made list as he has now 16 on the season, which leads the country.
ROUMES NAMED LL DEFENSIVE PERFORMER OF THE WEEK: Michael Roumes also played an integral role in IC's upset of Union, as he notched eight total tackles with a forced fumble and recovery. IC shut down the Dutchmen last weekend and held Union to 30 points below its season average.
ICTV PREGAME SHOW: ICTV is planning to broadcast a 30-minute pregame show leading up to this weekend's Cortaca Jug Game. The pregame show will air locally in the City of Ithaca on Spectrum 16 and stream at
ICTV.org this Saturday, November 13th from 11:30 AM - 12:00 PM.
WEDNESDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE: Earlier this week, Cortland hosted the annual press conference on campus. Both coaches and a player representative spoke at the podium in front of media members and then asked questions on the steam, off camera and in a separate podcast.
Watch the replay of the press conference here.
WATCH PARTIES AROUND THE COUNTRY: Three separate IC alumni watch parties will take place around the country this Saturday – New York, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.
Follow this link for more information.
NATIONAL STATISTICAL RANKINGS: The Bombers and Red Dragons rank among the nation's best in multiple team categories.
IC ranks third in red zone defense, allowing opponents to score just 42.9-percent of the time once they cross the 20-yard line. The Bombers are sixth in passing efficiency defense at 83.29 and rank ninth in scoring defense at 10.1 points per game. IC is also 21st in third down defense (28.6%) and 27th in total defense (256.7 yards).
Cortland is ranked first in scoring defense at 6.3 points per game, second in passing efficiency defense (78.18), third in total defense (187.4 yards), third in red zone offense (92.9%), third in third down conversions (55.9%), fifth in net punting (39.1 yards), fifth in passing yards allowed (128.9), sixth in rushing defense (58.6 yards) and ninth in first down defense (112). Cortland is also 11th in scoring offense (47.0 points per game).
2022 CORTACA JUG AT YANKEE STADIUM: Tickets to the 63rd Cortaca Jug Game go on sale November 16 at 12 p.m. on ticketmaster.com. Mark your calendars for next Tuesday and pick up your tickets!
SCOUTING CORTLAND: The Red Dragons are a perfect 9-0 and have absolutely steamrolled their opposition this season. Cortland has scored 429 points and has allowed just 57 points on the year, outscoring their counterparts by over 41 points per game.
Cortland has not allowed a touchdown since the first quarter against Brockport on October 9. Since that touchdown, the Red Dragons have allowed just 12 points (19 quarters of action).
The Red Dragons have rushed for 22 touchdowns on the season, led by six from Jaden Alfanostjohn and five from Brees Segala. Alfanstjohn has 433 yards on the year, while Segala has 294 yards.
Segala has also thrown for 26 touchdowns on 145-of-210 attempts for 1969 yards and just three interceptions. JJ Lapp has been on the receiving end of eight touchdowns and 37 receptions for 637 yards and Derek Cruz has 598 yards on 48 grabs and seven scores.
Justin Wheeler leads the defense with 63 total tackles, while Nick Lardaro has 5.0 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss on the season. Paul Imperiale ranks second with 47 tackles and Christian Legagneur is third with 45 tackles.
Cortland is also a menace in special teams with seven blocked kicks (kicks and punts) and five punt return touchdowns.
NCAA SELECTION SHOW: The NCAA Division III Selected Show will take place on Sunday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m. on ncaa.com.
