The battle for the Cortaca Jug is often hyped with mythic analogies. Whether it’s an epic “Clash of the Titans” or a “David and Goliath” story, hyperbole always makes the SUNY-Cortland and Ithaca College rivalry more interesting. But in its 50th incarnation, there’s no exaggeration needed to build up “The Biggest Little Game in America.”

After stumbling in early games and falling to conference rival St. John Fisher College, the Bombers have been resurgent and commanding in their last five games. Their industrious offense, behind the strong arm of senior quarterback Dan Juvan and the efficient power of junior running back Thomas Bergerstock, has averaged 43 points a game in their stretch run. In the same span, senior linebacker Matt Scalice’s defense has held strong as a reliable stalwart against the run.

 

Meanwhile, Cortland has steamrolled through its regular season schedule with relative ease. A flawless 9–0 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, senior tailback Andrew Giuliano and the rest of the Red Dragons have torched long-standing school records for touchdowns and yards in a season.

Cortland senior receiver Zacc Guaragno, even after missing two games with a broken hand and playing through pain with surgical screws still in place, has had a sensational season as Cortland’s leading pass catcher. His size, speed and strength will test Ithaca’s vulnerable secondary relentlessly.

“I’ll line up against a lot of cover-three, trying to eliminate the deep threat,” Guaragno said. “I love going overtop. But I know that I can contribute underneath and be more of an athlete if I need to be.”

After missing out on automatic playoff bids from their respective conferences in 2007, both teams are comfortably positioned for NCAA berths in 2008. Last week, with a win over SUNY-Brockport in a showcase of senior quarterback Ray Miles’ passing prowess, Cortland secured the NJAC’s league title and a guaranteed playoff shot. Ithaca, despite losing Juvan and Bergerstock to injuries in the first half and squandering a 23-point lead in the game’s final eight minutes, narrowly defeated Alfred University — securing the team at least a share of the Empire 8 title.

“Playing such a close game last week, I think it only helps our confidence,” said senior left guard Chris Gray. “We only played a great 15 minutes out of 60 on both sides of the ball, and we still put up 43 points. … We know we can win any type of game, close or not.”

Even with the playoffs in sight, the stakes remain high for Ithaca. If the Bombers surrender the Jug to Cortland, and St. John Fisher beats Alfred, the head-to-head tiebreaker would send the two-loss Cardinals to the NCAA tournament with the Empire 8’s automatic bid. While Ithaca would likely receive a playoff invitation, it would draw a much tougher opponent based on the seeding hierarchy.

Through all of the playoff speculation and peripheral pageantry associated with the rivalry, Cortland Head Coach Dan MacNeill said he can only sit back and marvel at what Cortaca has become. In the late 1970s, MacNeill started at linebacker and defensive tackle for the Red Dragons, earning varsity letters in each of his four years. Now coaching at his alma mater, he has seen the rivalry evolve from just a game between established programs to a cultural event for central New Yorkers and college students alike.

“It’s a different era now,” MacNeill said. “I never had the pleasure of beating Ithaca when I was playing.”

The Bombers and Red Dragons close out their regular seasons and celebrate the Cortaca Jug’s semicentennial at noon Saturday at the SUNY-Cortland Stadium Complex.