# 2023 Cortland Red Dragons football team

The 2023 Cortland Red Dragons football team was an American football team that represented the State University of New York at Cortland as a member of the Empire 8 during the 2023 NCAA Division III football season. In their third year under head coach Curt Fitzpatrick, the Red Dragons compiled a 14–1 record (6–0 in conference games) and won both the Empire 8 championship and the NCAA Division III national championship. In the Division III playoffs, the Red Dragons defeated Endicott (23–17) in the first round, Grove City (25–24) in the second round, Alma (58–41) in the quarterfinals, and Randolph–Macon (49–14) in the semifinals and North Central (IL) (38–37) in the Stagg Bowl. It was Cortland's first Division III championship.
The Red Dragons outscored opponents by a total of 693 to 296 in 15 games. On offense, they scored an average of 46.2 points per game and gained an average of 509.2 yards per game (284 passing yards and 225 rushing yards). The team's individual statistical leaders included:
* Zac Boyes - 4,020 passing yards and 44 passing touchdowns with only five interceptions;
* Jaden AlfanoStJohn - 1,396 rushing yards and 17 rushing touchdowns;
* Cole Burgess - 87 receptions for 1,375 receiving yards and 16 receiving touchdowns;
* Mike Baloga - 130 points scored on 91 extra points and 13 field goals;
* Jack Winey - 141 total tackles;
* Nick Lardaro - 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks; and
* Luke Winslow - five interceptions.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 12:00 p.m. | Delaware Valley* | | Grady FieldCortland, NY | W 42–13 | 4,233 |
| September 9 | 1:00 p.m. | at Lycoming* | | Girardi StadiumWilliamsport, PA | W 62–7 | 1,278 |
| September 16 | 1:00 p.m. | Susquehanna* | | Grady FieldCortland, NY | L 35–38 | 3,538 |
| September 30 | 1:00 p.m. | at Morrisville | No. 20 | Drake FieldMorrisville, NY | W 52–15 | 1,702 |
| October 7 | 1:00 p.m. | No. 22 Utica | No. 19 | Grady FieldCortland, NY | W 56–3 | 3,641 |
| October 14 | 1:00 p.m. | Alfred | No. 19 | Grady FieldCortland, NY | W 59–21 | 1,231 |
| October 21 | 12:00 p.m. | at St. John Fisher | No. 19 | Growney StadiumPittsford, NY | W 42–14 | 3,321 |
| October 28 | 2:30 p.m. | at Hartwick | No. 18 | Wright StadiumOneonta, NY | W 73–7 | 413 |
| November 4 | 12:00 p.m. | Brockport | No. 17 | Grady FieldCortland, NY | W 41–17 | 3,321 |
| November 11 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 14 Ithaca* | No. 16 | Butterfield StadiumIthaca, NY (Cortaca Jug) | W 38–28 | 7,800 |
| November 18 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 14 Endicott* | No. 11 | Hempstead StadiumBeverly, MA (NCAA Division III first round) | W 23–17 | 956 |
| November 25 | 12:00 p.m. | No. 16 Grove City* | No. 13 | Grady FieldCortland, NY (NCAA Division III second round) | W 25–24 | 932 |
| December 2 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 11 Alma* | No. 13 | Bahlke FieldAlma, MI (NCAA Division III quarterfinal) | W 58–41 | 2,542 |
| December 9 | 12:00 p.m. | at No. 8 Randolph–Macon* | No. 13 | Day FieldAshland, VA (NCAA Division III semifinal) | W 49–14 | 4,223 |
| December 15 | 7:03 p.m. | vs. No. 1 North Central (IL)* | No. 13 | Salem Football StadiumSalem, VA (Stagg Bowl) | W 38–37 | 3,381 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AFCA Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||