Box Score

Despite making stops on defense and having several golden opportunities to score, the Albright College football team couldn't finish as the Lions fell 14-0 to SUNY-Cortland, Saturday in the 2011 ECAC South-East Bowl.

Senior defensive lineman Paul Muller was an unlikely hero for Albright, blocking a pair of field goals to keep his team within striking distance. Sophomores Matthew Hnatiuk and Drew Peterson led the defense with nine tackles each.

A group of seniors turned in impressive performances on offense, led by captain Josan Holmes (101 yards on just 18 carries). Classmate Marty Reinhardt rushed for 31 yards on two touches, and receiver Scott Pillar added seven catches for 90 receiving yards.

A crushing change of momentum just before the half cost Albright as Cortland's John Babin caught a 30-yard jump ball with no time left on the clock to put the Red Dragons ahead 14-0 at the half when seconds earlier it had appeared the Lions themselves might score.

With just 42 seconds remaining in the half Cortland made a huge mistake, throwing a dangerous pass that was deflected to Peterson, whose return set the Lions up on the opposition 24-yard line. Albright returned the favor however, with a delay of game penalty followed by a TJ Luddy interception to kill the drive and set up Cortland's dagger touchdown.

After Albright went three-and-out on its opening drive, Muller gave the visitors a big boost, getting a hand on Cortland kicker Mike DeBole's 32-yard field goal attempt.

The Lions had to punt again and a good return by Babin set up the Red Dragons, who took just three plays to go 40 yards for a score. A run conversion tacked on two more points and gave Cortland an early 8-0 advantage.

Luddy converted two third downs on Albright's ensuing drive to Pillar and his number-one receiver nearly did it a third time, catching a 22-yard pass in the end zone but failing to keep his feet inbounds. Jordan Loiodice's field goal attempt fell short.

On their next possession, the Lions converted two fourth downs- a run up the middle by Holmes and a pass downfield to Pillar. Unfortunately, they fell short on a fourth-and-goal attempt as Albright failed to score on four snaps inside the Cortland five-yard line.

Holmes busted out a 54-yard run in the third quarter, only for Albright to miss another fourth-and-goal opportunity on Luddy's second interception of the day.

Senior Brooks Mitzkewich has been among the national leaders in punting average and he uncorked a 75-yarder late in the third quarter- his career high and tied for third-best in school history. Albright's special teams continued to perform with Muller blocking another field goal late in the fourth quarter.

The Lions finish their season with a 6-5 record, although it should be noted that all five losses came to teams that won at least eight games this year. Cortland (9-2) earns its sixth ECAC Bowl trophy.