Shane Cronin (shown competing during the 2015 season) made the game-winning 34-yard field goal with 26 seconds left (Darl Zehr Photography)
ONEONTA, N.Y. - Shane Cronin made a 34-yard tiebreaking field goal with 26 seconds remaining as Cortland rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit to defeat host Hartwick, 50-47, in an Empire 8 game.
The teams combined for 1,263 yards in total offense - 684 for Hartwick and 579 for Cortland - to tie a Cortland school record for combined total offense set versus Morrisville State in 2013. Cortland scored on its final six possessions to overcome a 30-14 halftime lead. The 16-point margin is the second-largest overcome by Cortland for a victory in school history, one point shy of the 17-point deficit erased versus Buffalo State in a home victory in 2007.
Cortland quarterback DeAngelo Walker completed 19-of-30 passes for 315 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed 11 times for 77 yards. Donny Davis carried the ball 15 times for 107 yards and two scores, and Jake Smith caught four passes for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Walker's 74-yard TD pass to Smith with 3:12 left tied the game at 47-47, just 26 seconds after Hartwick quarterback Billy Pine connected with Ron Richards on a 54-yard TD pass to give Hartwick the lead.
Pine finished 33-of-47 passing for 521 yards and three touchdowns but was intercepted three times. Koree Reed caught nine passes for 202 yards and a score, Richards made 11 catches for 134 yards and a TD, and Brad Garcia finished with 10 catches for 166 yards and a TD.
Carson Lassiter, Ike Schannauer and Rich Lagano led Cortland with 10 tackles apiece. Isaac Hicks intercepted two passes, and wide receiver Jon Mannix was inserted as a defensive back on the game's final play and intercepted a long desperation pass as time expired. Mike Simone and Mark Hackett led Hartwick with nine and eight tackles, respectively.
