MOUNT VERNON – Cornell's football team did enough to get the job done Saturday, overcoming an early 10-0 deficit and missed opportunities throughout in a 22-17 victory over Midwest Conference North Division foe Lawrence at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.
A fourth-quarter scoop and score by linebacker Jordan Burke (SO/Abita Springs, La.) off a muffed Lawrence punt attempt provided what proved to be the winning points for Cornell (2-1), which hung on for its seventh consecutive series win over the visiting Vikings (1-2).
Trevhon Porterfield (JR/Minneola, Fla.) rushed for a game-high 112 yards on 17 carries and quarterback Isaak Hahn (JR/Marion, Iowa) found pay dirt twice with his legs, including a one-yard touchdown plunge that put the Rams ahead 16-10 with 4:36 left in the third quarter.
Cornell made it a two-possession game midway through the fourth quarter when Lawrence lined up for a punt at its own 36-yard line. The errant snap sailed over the punter's head, creating a scramble for the loose ball. Burke picked it up and dashed the remaining six yards into the end zone for the decisive touchdown, giving Cornell a 22-10 lead with 8:32 remaining.
Burke came up big again on the ensuing series, intercepting a Lawrence pass near mid-field and allowing Cornell's offense to run more clock.
The Vikings pulled within 22-17 on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive with less than two minutes to go. Cornell's Blake Meredith (SR/Fleming, Colo.) recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the victory.
The Rams fought through this topsy-turvy game and wound up scoring 22 unanswered points after they trailed 10-0 deep into the second quarter. The teams combined for 25 penalties that covered 207 yards.
Cornell was flagged 14 times, two of which negated long touchdown plays. Mason Davis (JR/Kansas City, Mo.) had a 49-yard reception called back on the opening series. Blake Langhurst (JR/Lisbon, Iowa) had a fourth-quarter punt return for a TD erased by a penalty.
Hahn put Cornell on the scoreboard with a 14-yard run with 3:52 to go before intermission. Aaron Nicoll (SR/Longmont, Colo.) drilled a 33-yard field that brought Cornell within 10-9 early in the third quarter. That scoring drive was set up by a blocked punt by Demarius Pittman (SO/Denver, Colo.).
Tylor Fairbanks (JR/Marion, Iowa) had a strong game from his safety position with 13 tackles, 10 solos. Devin Roettger (SR/Colorado Springs, Colo.) had 11 tackles, including 2.5 for lost yardage. Easton Jensen (SO/Mesquite, Nev.) had three pass breakups and Ben Brassard (SO/Thornton, Colo.) collected 1.5 sacks.
The Rams outgained Lawrence in total yards, 239-228. The Vikings held a nine-minute advantage in time of possession.
Coming up – Cornell travels to Macalester (1-2) Saturday, Oct. 5, for a 1 p.m. MWC cross-division game in Saint Paul, Minn.
