GALESBURG, Ill. – Junior
BooBoo Browning recorded his first career 100-yard rushing game and scored three touchdowns in leading Cornell's football team to a 35-14 Midwest Conference victory over Knox Saturday at the Knosher Bowl.
The Rams (3-5 overall, 3-4 MWC) racked up a season-high 432 yards of total offense and recorded their 12th consecutive series road win over Knox (3-5 overall, 3-4 MWC).
Browning played a major part in Cornell's best offensive outing under first-year head coach
Curt Ritchie. He netted 116 yards on just 10 carries, highlighted by a long game-turning TD in the third quarter.
The Prairie Fire had momentum after a TD pass pulled them within 21-14 with 6:39 left in the third period. Cornell's
Ben Ephraim caught Knox's ensuing onside kick attempt near midfield, and on the next play Browning rambled 49 yards to the end zone, pushing the Rams ahead 28-14.
Browning also had TD runs of six and three yards in the first half.
Cornell's rushing attack accounted for 259 yards, more than double the previous season high. Freshman
Justin Bender ran for 83 yards on only eight carries. He also had a 21-yard reception that went for a TD in the second quarter.
Quarterback
Mason Dew finished with 45 rushing yards, including a 9-yard TD that put the game away with 5:02 left in regulation. Dew went 13-of-22 passing for 173 yards and a TD.
Rommel Pinner had two catches for 56 yards to lead the receiving corps. Ranked No. 9 nationally in combined kick returns, Pinner did not have a return attempt on Saturday.
Cornell limited Knox's run-heavy attack to 164 yards. Junior
Caleb Smith had a big day for the defense with six tackles – 2.5 for losses – 0.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Lorenzo Filice recorded 1.5 sacks.
Defensive back
Joshua Martin tallied a team-high nine tackles, followed by
Luca Schoensee with eight.
The Rams started the contest with three unanswered TDs to take a 21-0 lead. Knox found the end zone with seven seconds left in the second quarter that made it 21-7 at the half.
Coming up – Cornell plays host to Illinois College (6-2 overall, 5-2 MWC) for Senior Day next Saturday, Nov. 8 at Van Metre Field at Ash Park. Kickoff is 1 p.m.
