Cortland football completes undefeated regular season with thrilling Cortaca Jug victory over Ithaca at Yankee Stadium

The Cortland football team completed an undefeated regular season Saturday, holding off Ithaca 30-23 in the 67th annual Cortaca Jug game at Yankee Stadium. The Red Dragons finished 10-0 for just the fourth time in program history, while the Bombers closed their season at 7-3.

A crowd of 31,118 watched Cortland secure its fourth Cortaca Jug victory in six years, with quarterback Mike Rescigno leading the way.

Rescigno rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns while throwing for 217 yards and two more scores, earning the game’s inaugural Larry Czarnecki Most Valuable Player award.

Cortland jumped ahead 9-0 following a first-quarter safety and a 14-yard touchdown run from Rescigno.

Ithaca answered with a 59-yard touchdown pass from Michael Reed to Tian Murray, but Cortland responded with a scoring strike to Sam Cotton.

Cotton caught another touchdown in the second quarter, helping the Red Dragons take a 23-13 lead into halftime.

Ithaca trimmed the deficit to three early in the fourth quarter before Rescigno broke free for a 19-yard touchdown run on fourth down.

The Bombers answered with a field goal, cutting Cortland’s lead to seven with 8:26 remaining.

Cortland’s defense then delivered two crucial fourth-down stops, including an 11-yard sack by George Gjelaj to end Ithaca’s final possession.

Gjelaj finished with 10 tackles, two sacks and four tackles for loss.

Ithaca concludes its 2026 season with a 7-3 record, while Cortland awaits Sunday’s NCAA Division III playoff selection announcement, with a first-round bye expected.

Kyle Evans

Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.