Football Game Notes (vs. Cortland)

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Cortland (2-1) at Buffalo (0-3) - Saturday, September 22, 2002 - 1:00 p.m. - Coyer Field (Buffalo, NY) - HOMECOMING

Series Record

Buffalo State is 8-10 versus Cortland since the first meeting in 1984. Cortland defeated the Bengals 36-7 in last year's meeting. Steve Davis scored three touchdowns and rushed for 106 yards for the Red Dragons. The Bengals only score of the game came on a nine-yard reception by Billy Edwards. Cortland outgained the Buffalo State 324 yards to 179.

Radio Coverage

91.3 FM - WBNY

About the Coaches

Buffalo State is led by second-year head coach Bob Swank who became the Bengals' third head coach since the program's inception in 1981. After a late hire last season, Swank brings his first recruiting class into the mix this season as he and his staff will look to return the program to the postseason for the 11th time in 12 years. Swank came to Buffalo State after spending six seasons as the Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator at Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC. Prior to Methodist, Swank was the defensive backs coach at Midwestern State, and played quarterback and defensive back at Widener University.

Cortland is led by head coach Dan MacNeill, who took the job in 1997 and has accumulated a record of 28-26. An assistant coach at Division I-AA Villanova University from 1984-1996, MacNeill is Cortland?s 11th head coach since the school?s modern era of football began in 1924. He is a 1979 graduate of SUNY Cortland and was a three-year starter with the Red Dragons at linebacker and defensive line.

Previous Meetings:

2001 - Cortland 36, Buffalo State 7

2000 - Buffalo State 26, Cortland 10

1999 - Buffalo State 20, Cortland 17

1998 - Cortland 58, Buffalo State 31

1997 - Cortland 38, Buffalo State 9

1996 - Buffalo State 15, Cortland 12

1995 - Buffalo State 36, Cortland 33

1994 - Buffalo State 17, Cortland 10

1993 - Buffalo State 45, Cortland 0

1992 - Buffalo State 30, Cortland 21

1991 - Cortland 35, Buffalo State 0

1990 - Cortland 21, Buffalo State 12

1989 - Cortland 25, Buffalo State 0

1988 - Cortland 30, Buffalo State 7

1987 - Cortland 37, Buffalo State 17

1986 - Buffalo State 18, Cortland 14

1985 - Cortland 22, Buffalo State 20

1984 - Cortland 30, Buffalo State 17

Last Week?

Buffalo State fell to 0-3 on the season as it fell at Albion (MI) on Saturday by a score of 51-7.

After falling behind 27-0 at halftime, Buffalo State kicked the ball to the Britons to open the third quarter. On a third-and-eight play for Albion on the third snap of the quarter, Nick Warren (Cheektowaga/West Seneca East) picked off an errant pass, giving the Bengals the ball at the home team?s 34-yardline. The Bengals needed just seven plays to pound the ball over the goal line for their first score of the day. Ahmir Cole (Buffalo/Seneca) was credited with the first touchdown of his young collegiate career as he ran it in from four yards out. After a successful extra point by Eric Buchanan (Hamburg/Frontier), Buffalo State was thinking about a comeback, trailing 27-7. Later in the third quarter, Albion would capitalize on a Bengal turnover to extend its lead and would never look back.

The Bengals were plagued by turnovers all day, throwing five interceptions and losing three fumbles. In addition, Buffalo State allowed an 83-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Sterling Anderson (Detroit, MI/MLK) was Buffalo State?s leading rusher, carrying the ball 14 times for 47 yards. Freshman Mike Puck (Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Cardinal Gibbons) led the receiving corps with four catches for 40 yards, while Jeff Shostak (E. Smethport, PA/Smethport) and Mariano Granata (Lewiston/Lewiston-Porter) shared the quarterbacking duties, throwing for 30 and 50 yards respectively.

Defensively, Tony Favata (Hamburg/Hamburg) and Star Handley (Williamsville/Tonawanda) led the Bengals with nine tackles apiece. Warren added eight stops and a sack to go along with his first interception of the season. Tyree Parker (Buffalo/Burgard) made six tackles and also had an interception with a 46-yard return.

Who's Cortland?

Cortland comes into today?s contest 2-1 with wins over Brockport and Kean. The Red Dragons only loss was a 41-38 overtime defeat at the hands of The Colege of New Jersey. Today is Cortland?s first game away from the brand new SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex.

Streaking?

Buffalo State's current 11-game losing streak matches the longest drought in the programs 22-year history. The last time the Bengals went 11 games without a win was during the 1988 and 1989 seasons.





Media Contact:
Jeffrey Ventura, Sports Information Director | 7168786030 | venturjm@buffalostate.edu