MOUNT VERNON – Illinois College relied on a ball-control offense under rainy, chilly conditions to defeat Cornell, 24-0, on Saturday's Senior Day at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.
 
The Rams (3-6 overall, 3-5 Midwest Conference) honored a large class of 18 football seniors prior to the contest, which then hung in the balance deep into the second half.
 
Illinois College (7-2 overall, 6-2 MWC) scored once in each quarter for the methodical win, keeping the Blueboys tied for third place in the league race with one game to go.
 
Cornell's defense held the visitors from Jacksonville, Ill., to two offensive touchdowns, despite being on the field for 72 plays and nearly 38 minutes of game time. The Rams registered five quarterback sacks, 2.5 coming from senior standout Holden Nowack who finished with seven total tackles.
 
Senior linebacker Luca Schoensee collected a game-high nine tackles, including 1.5 sacks, in his final home game for the Rams. Hunter Kollasch had one sack and eight tackles.
 
The lone TD of the opening half came on an 8-yard pass on the final play of the first quarter. Illinois College converted a botched snap on the ensuing PAT attempt into a two-point conversion run, making it 8-0. The Blueboys extended the lead to 11-0 on a 37-yard field goal with one second left in the second quarter.
 
Cornell had a 25-yard field goal blocked in the second quarter and was intercepted three times in the second half. Illinois College's first pick denied a Cornell scoring opportunity at the goal line. The final interception was returned four yards for a TD with 1:33 remaining in regulation.
 
Illinois College broke free on a 36-yard TD run midway through the third quarter, pushing the margin to 18-0.
 
Cornell's BooBoo Browning, coming off a 100-yard rushing outing last week, led the team again with 52 yards on eight carries. Quarterback Mason Dew was held to 89 passing yards on 27 attempts. Kaleb Skeffington, Silas Heimos and Gavin Soukup had two receptions apiece.  
 
The Blueboys outgained Cornell in total yards, 382-162. Quarterback Tyson Elliott had an efficient 20-of-26 passing game for 199 yards and one TD.
 
Coming up – The Rams close the season next Saturday, Nov. 15, with a noon kickoff at Grinnell (2-7 overall, 2-6 MWC).