Cortaca 2008

Take a look at the Division I college football schedule this week. There are no games featuring two ranked teams, and the big Saturday night games on ABC are either #13 Oklahoma State (8-2) against 5-5 Colorado or 6-3 Boston College at #19 Florida State (7-2). Don’t expect huge TV ratings.

So what’s the game of the weekend? The 50th annual Cortaca Jug game!



Not convinced yet?* Fine. You want to see a match-up of two ranked teams, right? Cortland State (9-0) is ranked #7 in the current D3Football.com poll while Ithaca College (8-1) is #17. Looking for drama? Although Cortland has already clinched an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III playoffs, a win could give the team a regional top seed. IC appears to be in decent shape to make the playoffs, but nothing is guaranteed. A win over Cortland would almost certainly be enough for a postseason berth. How about history? The schools started playing in 1930 and have met every year since 1948. Ithaca leads the all-time series 37-26-3 and the Cortaca Jug series 32-17. Oh, Sports Illustrated once called this rivalry the "Biggest Little Game in America." Atmosphere? I attended four games during my time at IC and had an amazing time at each game.

Since I can't be in Cortland on Saturday (I highly recommend grabbing lunch at the old-fashioned A&W; they deliver food to your car or you can order via a phone on the table.), the least I could do is provide everything you need to know about Cortaca 2008.

The Ithacan has a preview of the game as well as the history behind the jug.



The Cortland athletic website has complete information about both teams.

The Ithaca Journal has the Cortaca Jug Breakdown and two other articles about Ithaca's Connecticut Connection and Cortland's local talent.

WBNG has a video preview of the game as does News 10 Now.

Syracuse's Post Standard says that the modern rivalry started in the 1988 game.

The Vice Presidents of Student Affairs from both schools say be safe out there and act responsibly. Don't drink and drive!

The Sports Chick Blog says Go Cortland. I disagree!

Lots of insightful and thoughtful debate (or not) on the D3 message board.

IC Sports Radio also has their own preview.

The game, which starts at noon, is scheduled to be televised live in Cortland and Tompkins Counties on Time Warner Cable (Channel 6 in Cortland, Channel 16 in Ithaca). The television broadcast will not be available via satellite. The game will also be broadcast live by WICB (91.7 FM) - WICB’s broadcast will be available at http://www.wicb.org/; on Cortland's webcast; and on Live Stats.

Go Bombers! (That would be Ithaca College)

P.S. I would love a Cortaca Jug T-shirt if there are any for sale.


* Don't mind me as I ask questions to no one in particular.


UPDATE 11/15 @ 1:30: At halftime, Ithaca leads Cortland 14-10.

Update #2 @ 3:20pm: It’s a final. Ithaca retains the Cortaca Jug by defeating Cortland 35-13. Back-up QB Brian Grastorf threw for 274 yards and 3 touchdowns and ran for another 2 scores. Safety Jason Chier had three interceptions in leading a very impressive defensive performance. Cortland came into the game scoring 34.8 points per game but the offense only scored six points (the other TD was on a blocked punt). Way to go Bombers!