Long Island will be well represented in Cortaca Jug football game between SUNY Cortland and Ithaca

A pained smile slowly creased Tom Blumenauer’s face.

The head coach of the Cortland football team had been asked to reflect on the immediate emotions and those that evolved following his Red Dragons’ 26-21 loss to Ithaca on Nov. 15, 2025, in the Cortaca Jug rivalry game.

He did not speak for a moment. Nor did he have to. Nearly a full calendar year later, the pain was still acute.

“You don’t want to lose anything,” Blumenauer said Wednesday afternoon. “If you lose the season opener or if you lose the Cortaca Jug, it eats away at you.”

Blumenauer and Cortland will have an opportunity to spread a salve over that wound when they meet Ithaca Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium for the 67th Cortaca Jug game.

The rivalry between the two upstate Division III programs dates to 1930. Beginning in 1959 the Cortaca Jug was awarded to the winning team every year save for 2020 because of the pandemic. Ithaca is 39-27 all-time in Jug games.

Saturday’s contest is the second at Yankee Stadium. Ithaca won the previous matchup at the ballyard in the Bronx, 34-17, in 2022.

Both programs are having strong 2026 seasons. Cortland is 9-0 (7-0 Empire 8), and Ithaca is 7-2 (6-1 Liberty).

So, yes, it is a meaningful game.

“Our guys are excited to get down to Yankee Stadium and kind of rebound from what happened last week and get out there and just play football again,” said Ithaca coach Brandon Maguire, referencing the Bombers’ 14-10 loss to RPI last Saturday. “The season started off with that [30-21] loss against Johns Hopkins and then went on a little seven-game run and our guys are playing really well. Last week, we just weren’t able to get it done against RPI and really in a pseudo-conference championship game, so that one stung a bit. But practice so far has been great and [we’re] excited to get out there and go against one of the top teams in the country and put our best foot forward.”

Statistically, the teams are mirror images of each other. Cortland has outscored opponents 397-106, whereas Ithaca has a 262-point differential (363-101) in its favor.

To summarize: The Red Dragons and Bombers have explosive offenses and stalwart defenses. The programs also have distinct Long Island elements, particularly on defense.

Junior Davin Foote (Hicksville) and senior Carson Ciancuielli (Oakdale) spearhead a defensive line for Ithaca that is allowing only 2.3 yards per rush.

Foote has played in every game for the Bombers, recording 31 tackles (13 solo) and 1 1/2 sacks. Ciancuielli has 18 total tackles and two sacks in five games. The St. Anthony’s product had missed four games earlier in the season.

“Davin’s been a steady force that has had to jump inside and had to play positions that probably aren’t something he enjoys doing: Kicking down into three technique but he’s definitely physical enough, quick enough, and strong enough to play it. So he did what was best for the team,” Maguire said.

“Carson coming back just brings a little bit to the group that allows us to be more free in our substitutions. He’s great on the sidelines as a leader. He’s even better on the field because he plays exactly how he is on the sideline: Fire and passion. That shows up on the field and it’s easier to feed off of that when you’re standing next to it. It's in the trenches with you, so both of those have been fantastic for us this year.”

Whereas Foote and Ciancuielli are the nucleus of Ithaca’s defensive line, Cortland has built its secondary around Hayden Lovinsky (Deer Park) and Nazair Jean-Lubin (Freeport).

Lovinsky, a sophomore, is credited with 20 tackles, a forced fumble, and leads the team with eight pass breakups. The senior Jean-Lubin has a team-high three interceptions, seven pass breakups, and 19 tackles.

“Those guys, they’re both having great seasons,” Blumenauer said. “You’re not surprised by how those guys play because of their practice habits. Those are two guys that had a great off-season. They’re the [ultimate] competitors throughout the practice week on top of being talented. So [they are] two guys playing really good football and they’re doing their best to continue to grow each and every day.”

During the near-hour long Zoom call with reporters, Blumenauer and Maguire praised each other and their teams. As the call came to an end, Maguire grew bold and made a guarantee of sorts.

“Plays will be made on both sides. That’s what happens in these kinds of big games,” Maguire said. “Both sides are going to let it rip. They’ll have fun, especially in that venue.”