SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Big plays and missed opportunities hindered the Rams in Saturday's 24-9 Midwest Conference cross-division football setback to the Macalester Scots at Macalester Stadium.
Cornell (2-2) gave up an 80-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage, but initially recovered with a pair of scores early in the second quarter that put the Rams ahead 9-7. The Scots (2-2) went back ahead 14-9 at halftime and kept Cornell off the scoreboard the rest of the way.
Cornell had a PAT kick blocked in the first half. Macalester also blocked Cornell field goal attempts of 33 and 37 yards in the third quarter that prevented the Rams from drawing closer after intermission.
Cornell had five offensive drives stall in Macalester territory, including four inside the 30-yard line in the second half.
Aaron Nicoll (SR/Longmont, Colo.) accounted for Cornell's first points on a 22-yard field goal with 12:38 left in the second quarter. Cornell's defense forced a three-and-out on the ensuing series, and then a botched snap on the punt exchange gave the Rams possession first-and-goal at the 2.
The Rams capitalized as Trevhon Porterfield (JR/Minneola, Fla.) reached pay dirt on the next play, giving Cornell a 9-7 lead with 10:33 remaining in the half. Porterfield, Cornell's top rusher, was limited to eight carries and 34 yards in the game.
Macalester regained the lead on a 30-yard TD run with five minutes to go in the second quarter. The 14-9 margin held into the fourth quarter, when the Scots struck for a touchdown and field goal, completing the scoring with 11:01 remaining in the game.
Cornell, which entered with the MWC's top rushing defense, surrendered 280 yards to the Scots on 42 carries. Macalester outgained the Rams in total yards, 376-315.
Ram quarterback Isaak Hahn (JR/Marion, Iowa) was 12-of-27 passing for 159 yards, and also led the team with 59 yards on 17 attempts on the ground. Peni Waqairatu (JR/East Melbourne, Australia) ran 12 times for 53 yards. Blake Langhurst (JR/Lisbon, Iowa) had five catches for 77 yards. Eric Granillo (JR/Chino Valley, Ariz.) had five receptions, netting 37 yards.
George Ziama (SR/St. Louis, Mo.) and Colden Clark (SO/Mount Vernon, Iowa) led Cornell's defense with 10 tackles apiece. Ziama made seven solo stops and had 1.5 tackles for loss. Tylor Fairbanks (JR/Marion, Iowa) came away with Macalester's lone turnover, a fumble recovery.
Coming up – The Rams begin MWC South Division play next Saturday, Oct. 12, with a 1 p.m. contest against Illinois College (3-1) in Jacksonville, Ill. The Blueboys are coming off a 55-10 win at Lawrence.
