Head coach Michael Toerper said he felt amazing about the team’s victory and was happy that the Bombers reclaimed the Cortaca Jug after two years. 

“It’s an awesome rivalry … it’s so pure, the kids love it, the alumni love it, the administration loves it,” Toerper said. “It’s what college football is all about.”

Toerper said he has seen a lot of growth from the team and is looking forward to what is in store in the future. 

“Our guys learned so much this season,” Toerper said. “They got better every single day and … I’m super proud of them.”

Senior Writer Billy Wood contributed reporting.

Junior quarterback Mike Reed said after the game that playing in front of the home crowd was special and his connection and collaboration with junior wide receiver Nicholas Lang was unique. 

“He’s my boy,” Reed said. “We got great chemistry and I look forward to connecting more with him down the road.” 

Junior defensive back Cam Paquette echoed a similar sentiment and said his first win against Cortland was special, and he was feeding off the crowd’s energetic reactions to his interceptions.

“It was awesome,” Paquette said. “Just seeing the crowd roar in between plays [was] great.”

Senior Writer Billy Wood contributed reporting. 

The Red Dragons hail mary is incomplete, and the Ithaca College Bombers have won the 66th annual Cortaca Jug. Butterfield Stadium is ecstatic. The Jug has returned to South Hill.

On fourth-down, Red Dragons’ sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno completes a pass for 12 yards down to the 27-yard line.

Red Dragons sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno tries a shovel pass on second-down but it falls incomplete. Third-down for the Red Dragons.

The Red Dragons gain 10 yards on a passing play, but they are called back to the 50-yard line for holding. Butterfield Stadium erupts again.

The Bombers’ punt is scuffed, giving the Red Dragons the ball at the Bombers’ 40-yard line.

The Bombers are faced with fourth-and-3 on their own 27-yard line with now less than a minute remaining.

INTERCEPTION! Bombers’ junior defensive back Cam Paquette intercepts the pass on the left side of the end zone as Butterfield Stadium loses its mind. The Bombers take over at their own 20-yard line.

What a grab! Red Dragons’ Sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno throws it up for junior wide receiver Jacque LaPrarie, bringing them down to the opposing 9-yard line on a 31-yard completion.

A huge fourth-down conversion for the Red Dragons brings them to the 40-yard line on a quick 7-yard pass to junior running back Ethan Gallo on the right sideline.

The Bombers stop the Red Dragons on third-down, forcing a huge upcoming fourth-and-3 from the Red Dragons at the Bombers’ 47-yard line.

The Red Dragons gain another first-down, sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno finding junior wide receiver Joe Iadevaio for a 15-yard gain to their own 46-yard line.

Red Dragons junior wide receiver Sam Cotton comes off the field injured. Butterfield Stadium is full of energy for the last few minutes.

Red Dragons sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno rolls out to his right and rushes for a 15-yard gain and a first-down. The Red Dragons have the ball at their own 24-yard line.

A good Bombers punt from the opposing 39-yard line pins the Red Dragons to their own 7-yard line.

After a sack, the Bombers cannot convert on third-and-19 from the 39-yard line, with an incomplete pass.

The Bombers continue their march downfield, junior quarterback Mike Reed and junior wide receiver Nicholas Lang connect again on a screen pass for a 13-yard gain to the opposing 30-yard line.

It is another Bombers first-down, junior quarterback Mike Reed slings a bullet pass to first-year wide receiver Antwan Harvey for a 9-yard gain. First down Bombers at the opposing 47-yard line.

A series of rushes from junior quarterback Mike Reed sets up the Bombers with a fresh set of downs at their own 42-yard line.

The Bombers convert on third-down, junior quarterback Mike Reed targeting junior wide receiver Nicholas Lang on the right sideline for an 8-yard gain.

The Bombers return the kickoff to the 20-yard line and look to extend their lead once again.

Touchdown Red Dragons! Sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno throws a bomb from his own 37-yard line for junior wide receiver Jacque LaPrarie for a 67-yard touchdown. The extra point is good, the Bombers still lead, 26-21.

The Red Dragons convert on third-and-1 on a 3-yard rush from sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno. The ball was knocked loose, but Rescigno recovered. The Red Dragons have the ball at their own 37-yard line.

The Red Dragons let the kickoff go for a touchback and start at their own 25-yard line.

Touchdown Bombers! Junior quarterback Mike Reed does it all himself, running it in from the 10-yard line on the left side. The extra point is good, Bombers lead by 12, 26-14.

Junior quarterback Mike Reed leads the Bombers inside the red zone, moving the ball to the 10-yard line with an 8-yard rush.

Fumble! Butterfield Stadium erupts as the Bombers force a fumble on the kickoff and will start again at the 28-yard line.

Touchdown Bombers! Junior quarterback Mike Reed and junior wide receiver Nicholas Lang connect again for a 7-yard touchdown. Lang grabbed the jump-ball in the back left corner of the end zone, jumping over a Red Dragons defensive back. the extra point is good, 19-14 Bombers lead.

On fourth-down and one from the opposing 10-yard line, the Bombers execute the tush push to convert the first-down. First-and-goal from the nine-yard line.

Bomber junior quarterback Mike Reed rolls out to his right and finds first-year wide receiver Nicholas Herskowitz down the right side for an 11-yard gain and a big fourth-down conversion.

In the pouring rain, the Bombers line up for a fourth-down conversion try from the opposing 35-yard line.

Sack! A pair of Red Dragons take down Bomber junior quarterback Mike Reed for a seven-yard sack on first-down.

Bombers junior quarterback Mike Reed connects with junior tight end Colin Schumm on back to back plays for a total of 13 yards and a first-down.

The Red Dragons punt and the Bombers start their drive at their own 41-yard line.

The Red Dragons are tested on a third-down and nine early, the Bombers force an incomplete pass for a quick three-and-out.

The Red Dragons receive kick to start the second half, return the ball out of the end zone to the 27-yard line.

In a thrilling first half, the Red Dragons lead 14-12. The key for both sides has been the ground game, with three of the four game’s touchdowns coming on the ground.

Ithaca College leaders:

Passing: Mike Reed, 5-11, 96 yards, 1 touchdown

Receiving: Nicholas Lang, 3 receptions, 63 yards, 1 touchdown

Rushing: Mike Reed, 8 attempts, 49 yards

SUNY Cortland leaders:

Passing: Mike Rescigno, 7-9, 81 yards, 1 touchdown

Receiving: Jacque LaPrarie, 2 receptions, 37 yards

Rushing: Mike Rescigno, 8 attempts, 55 yards

It is halftime at the 66th annual Cortaca Jug. The Red Dragons lead the Bombers 14-12 after 30 minutes of play.

Field goal attempt is botched! From the 12-yard line, a bad snap takes the opportunity away from the Bombers to take the lead. Cortland starts with the ball at the 18-yard line.

On first-down from the 20-yard line, junior quarterback Mike Reed scrambles and runs the ball 8 yards down to the 12-yard line. Timeout Bombers.

The Bombers urgently charge forward, moving the ball all the way down to the 20-yard line in a series of four quick plays.

The field goal is blocked! The Red Dragons’ attempt is blocked, the Bombers scoop the ball up and look for a late first half touchdown. They start at their own 40-yard line.

The Bombers get a stop on third-down, and force a field goal attempt from the Red Dragons.

Approaching the final moments of the first half, the Red Dragons prepare for third-and-goal from the 5-yard line. They lead 14-12.

What a catch! Red Dragons’ sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno throws from the 33-yard line, junior wide receiver Sam Cotton hauls in the pass with one hand, leaving the ground and reaching behind his body for a 23-yard completion. First-down Cortland from the Bombers’ 10-yard line.

Fumble! Sophomore running back Chris Scully runs to the left side, and the ball is knocked out at the 30-yard line. Cortland recovers and will start with great field position at the Bombers’ 31-yard line.

The Bombers receive the kickoff and start their drive from their own 20-yard line.

Touchdown Red Dragons! Junior running back Ethan Gallo sneaks into the end zone from the 1-yard line to take the lead over the Bombers. Extra point is good, 14-12 Red Dragons.

First-and-10 from the opposing 11-yard line, Red Dragons’ junior running back Ethan Gallo gets stuffed in the backfield for 2-yard loss.

Red Dragons’ sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno completes a 27-yard pass to junior wide receiver Jacque LaPrarie in the middle of the field, bringing the ball to the 21-yard line for a first down.

On another Red Dragon third-and-1, sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno uses his legs to run up the middle from the 50-yard line for a 2-yard gain and a Red Dragons’ first down.

On third-and-1 from their own 27-yard line, Red Dragons’ sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno escapes to the outside for a 15-yard rush and a first down.

The Red Dragons receive the kickoff and start their drive at their own 18-yard line.

Touchdown Bombers! On the very first play of the second quarter, junior quarterback Mike Reed throws a 45-yard pass to junior wide receiver Nicholas Lang down the right sideline for a 45-yard touchdown. The Bombers try to extend their lead to 7, but cannot get the 2-point conversion. 12-7 Bombers.

After one, it is Ithaca College 6, SUNY Cortland 7. The teams exchanged touchdown drives, but a missed extra point is the difference after the first 15 minutes.

The Bombers use the tush push on third-and-1 to gain the first down at the Red Dragons’ 45-yard line.

Junior quarterback Mike Reed finds junior wide receiver Nicholas Lang in the middle of the field for a 19-yard gain. First down Bombers from their own 44-yard line.

The Bombers receive the kickoff and return it to the 25-yard line.

Touchdown Red Dragons! Sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno finds junior wide receiver Joe Iadevaio in the back left corner of the end zone for a Cortland touchdown. The extra point is good, Cortland takes a 7-6 lead.

Red Dragons’ sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno looks downfield for junior wide receiver Jayson Zeva, pass interference is called on the Bombers. Head coach Mike Toerper’s argument draws a flag, bringing the ball down to the 24-yard line.

Red Dragons sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno rolls out of the pocket and runs for 9 yards, gaining a first down at the 46-yard line.

Red Dragons sophomore quarterback Mike Rescigno runs 10 yards for a first down to the 34-yard line.

The Red Dragons punt on fourth down, the Bombers start the drive at their own 37-yard line.

The Bombers force a three-and-out from the Red Dragons’ with a third down stop on the Red Dragons own 33-yard line.

The Bombers kick off and Cortland starts their first drive at their own 20-yard line.

Touchdown Bombers! Chris Scully punches it in from the 4-yard line for the first score of the game. The extra point is blocked, 6-0 Bombers.

A series of runs from sophomore running back Chris Scully brings the Bombers inside the 10-yard line.

Junior quarterback Mike Reed connects with sophomore wide receiver Tian Murray for a 23 yard completion down to the opposing 30-yard line.

Graduate student wide receiver Tyrell Penalba returns the opening kick to the 42-yard line.

Cortland calls tails and the Bombers will receive the opening kickoff.

The crowd erupts as the Ithaca College Bombers take the field. Butterfield Stadium begins to fill with less than 40 minutes until kickoff.