CORTLAND, NY -- It came down to two jumps. The first helped the Heidelberg University football team take a lead. The other gave the host Cortland Red Dragons a 26-24 win.
Late in the fourth, Heidelberg used a hard count on 4th-and-inches to pick up a first down. Two plays later, Heidelberg found the end zone for a 24-20 lead.
With 0:03 seconds left, Cortland threw the ball into the end zone. Receiver Jon Mannix jumped higher than the Berg defenders, caught the ball and landed in bounds for the game winning touchdown.
FIRST QUARTER
The Student Princes offense, as it has in the past few seasons, ran like a well-oiled machine. Heidelberg took the opening kickoff and went 75 yards in nine plays for the opening score. Jon Sandwisch, Bryan Lacey and Cameron Vocke each had carries on the drive. Sandwisch's first completion was a 33-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Magee. Stephen Smith's extra point gave the Tricolor a 7-0 lead.
Cortland responded with a methodical eight-play touchdown drive on their first possession. It was capped by a 31-yard touchdown pass from Steven Ferreira to Jake Smith. Cortland's attempt for a two-point conversion was incomplete.
Leading 7-6, Heidelberg marched down the field again for another touchdown. The drive was extended by a 21-yard reception by Tony Morris on 3rd-and-long. Sandwisch found pay dirt on his second quarterback sneak from inside the one. Smith tacked on the PAT for a 14-6 lead.
SECOND QUARTER
The Red Dragons took possession of the ball to start the second period. Fifteen plays later, Ferreira found Nick Wagner for a four-yard touchdown pass. The Red Dragons elected to kick the extra point.
Midway through the period, Billy Byrne blocked a Cortland punt, which rolled out of bounds at the 12 yard line. Heidelberg converted the turnover into a 23-yard field goal by Smith.
THIRD QUARTER
After a lot of scoring early, both defenses settled into the flow of the game. Neither team was able to do much offensively. Heidelberg gained 64 yards in the quarter while Cortland managed 30 yards of offense.
FOURTH QUARTER
Facing 4th-and-inches from their 40 yardline to start the fourth quarter, Heidelberg elected to punt the ball back to Cortland. The Red Dragons went 69 yards in 12 plays and took the lead on an 18-yard pass from Ferreira to Chris Osterman. The extra point gave Cortland a 20-17 lead with just over 11 minutes left.
After the teams exchanged punts, Heidelberg began a drive at their 24. On the legs of Lacey and Jose Sanchez, the Berg moved into the red zone. On a completion to Dre Valliant, Cortland forced a fumble at the 2 and recovered it in the end zone.
Looking to milk the clock, Cortland began a drive at the 20. On the second play, Joey Wooley forced a strip-sack that was recovered by Ethan Rodgers at the 24.
After a first down, Heidelberg lined up for a 27-yard field goal on 4th-and-inches. A hard count drew the Red Dragons offsides, giving the Student Princes a fresh set of downs. On second down, Lacey found the end zone from a yard out. Smith tacked on the extra point, giving Heidelberg a 24-20 lead with 1:02 left.
A squibb kick gave Cortland the ball at their own 30. They moved the ball down to the Heidelberg 29 with 0:03 on the clock. As the horn sounded, Jon Mannix leapt and grabbed a 29-yard touchdown falling to the ground. After taking a knee on the point after, Cortland took the victory, 26-24.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
On kickoff coverage in the second quarter, Zach Yates was flagged for targeting and was ejected. As per NCAA rules, he will be eligible for the entire John Carroll game.
Just before halftime, Sandwisch had a pass batted back to him. He caught the ball, then was flagged as he attempted and completed another pass.
Heidelberg also blocked two punts in 2014's win over Muskingum.
The loss was the first season-opening loss in Mike Hallett's tenure at Heidelberg.
KEY STATS
In his first collegiate start, Jon Sandwisch was 15-of-33 passing for 135 yards and a touchdown. He rushed the ball 14 times for 46 yards and a score.
Tailback Bryan Lacey finished with 96 yards and a touchdown. Cameron Vocke had 20 carries for 79 yards.
Clay Staib had eight tackles to lead Heidelberg. Chris Jones had seven tackles and a sack. Billy Byrne had seven tackles, a sack and a blocked punt.
NOTABLE QUOTES
Head coach Mike Hallett on the afternoon: "I think both teams battled their tails off on a hot day. They made the play they had to make. I thought our guys stepped up and made some big plays in the second half. It's unfortunate that we came out on the short end of it, but it was a heck of a football game for everybody that was here.
UP NEXT
Heidelberg returns to action on September 19th after a bye week. The Student Princes welcome John Carroll University on Fellows Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.