Nov. 12, 2005
ITHACA, N.Y. - Cornell quarterback Ryan Kuhn rushed for 175 yards and a touchdown and threw two touchdown passes to lead the Big Red to a 45-7 victory over the Columbia Lions at Schoellkopf Field. Employing a non-traditional offense featuring no-huddle sets, misdirection plays and an option running game, Cornell outgained Columbia in total offensive yardage 483-155.
Cornell scored on its first four possessions, netting 28 points in the first 15:05 of game action. After receiving the opening kickoff, the Big Red drove 82 yards in 10 plays, capping the drive with a four-yard touchdown run by Luke Siwula. Siwula finished with 117 yards rushing and surpassed 1000 yards for the season.
The game deteriorated quickly for the Lions. James Cobb (Stamford, Conn.) fumbled on the Lions' second play from scrimmage. Cornell took over first and ten from the Columbia 11 and, three plays later, Kuhn found Brian Romney from six yards out to make the score 14-0.
The Lions got on the scoreboard just before the end of the first half. Senior captain Joe Winters (Jacksonville, Fla.) replaced Craig Hormann (Indianapolis, Ind.) at quarterback with 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter. On his first play, Winters hit senior wideout Brandon Bowser (St. Paul, Minn.) on a 56-yard bomb to bring the Lions within 31-7 at the half. Bowser finished the day with 98 yards receiving on three receptions and now has five TD receptions on the season. For Winters, it was his second touchdown pass in as many weeks - the second TD pass of his career.
The Winters-Bowser connection seemed to give the Lions some life. Columbia took the second half kickoff and, with the help of a 34-yard screen pass from Winters to Bowser, the Lions drove deep into Cornell territory to begin the third quarter. However, on first and ten from the Big Red 23, Cornell defensive back Matt Grant wrestled a potential Winters touchdown pass away from Adrian Demko (Valparaiso, Ind.) in the end zone. The Big Red seized the momentum and marched downfield for another score, which put the game out of reach, 38-7.
Bayo Aregbe (Oakland, Calif.) led the Lions and tied a career high with 11 tackles, and Tad Crawford (Burlington, Ont.) added 10 stops for the Lions' defense. Crawford leads the Lions with 101 tackles on the season. Many of Columbia's younger players got in the game and contributed big plays. First-year defensive end Michael Brune (Fort Wayne, Ind.) recorded the first sack of his collegiate career and classmate Drew Quinn (Maineville, Ohio) added six tackles.
The Lions conclude their 2005 football season at home Saturday, November 19 when they host Brown in a game to be broadcast by The YES Network. Kickoff is at noon - preceded by a special ceremony honoring the Columbia Football Class of 2006.
