JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Cornell put up 17 first-half points, although couldn't keep pace with Illinois College's rushing attack in a 56-17 Midwest Conference football loss Saturday at England Stadium.

The teams combined for 10 rushing touchdowns in this South Division opener, eight belonging to the host Blueboys who outscored the Rams by a 28-0 margin in the second half.

Cornell (2-3 overall, 0-1 South) got off to a promising start, scoring on the game's second offensive play as quarterback Isaak Hahn (JR/Marion, Iowa) broke free for a 45-yard run. Hahn wound up leading Cornell's rushing attack with 74 yards and finished 13-of-27 passing for 156 yards.

Illinois College (4-1 overall, 1-0 South) responded with four unanswered rushing TDs to build a 28-7 lead early in the second quarter. The Rams hung in the game with a pair of scoring drives before intermission, trailing 28-17 at the break.

Peni Waqairatu (JR/East Melbourne, Australia), who netted 72 rushing yards on only eight carries for the Rams, found pay dirt on a 7-yard TD run and Aaron Nicoll (SR/Longmont, Colo.) booted a 33-yard field goal with 1:50 remaining in the half.

It was all Blueboys in the second half as the MWC's top scoring offense tacked on four more rushing TDs to complete the scoring. Illinois College outgained the Rams in total yards 538-346, with 407 yards coming on the ground.  

Cornell receiver Mason Davis (JR/Kansas City, Mo.) had a career day with nine receptions for 114 yards, including a long of 35. Marcellus Parks (SO/Floosmoor, Ill.) excelled in the return game, totaling 91 yards on three kick returns. Drake Crawford (FR/Toledo, Iowa) had a long kickoff return of 42 yards.

The Rams fell short despite holding an 11-minute advantage in time of possession. Cornell was intercepted three times – all in the second half – and the Blueboys cashed them into 14 points.

Cornell linebacker Devin Roettger (SR/Colorado Springs, Colo.) shared game-high honors with 12 tackles. Tylor Fairbanks (JR/Marion, Iowa) finished with nine tackles, including six solo stops. George Ziama (SR/St. Louis, Mo.), Alex Rupe (JR/Evergreen, Colo.) and Ben Brassard (SO/Thornton, Colo.) recorded one sack apiece for the Rams.  

Illinois College's attack revolved around Trevor Small, who ran for 240 yards and five touchdown on 18 carries. The Blueboys had five TD runs that covered at least 20 yards, three delivered by Small.

Coming up – The Rams play host to Chicago (3-2, 1-0 South) at 1 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 19, at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.