CHICAGO, Ill. – Senior linebacker
Jamal Thompson registered a career-high 19 tackles during an otherwise tough day for Cornell in Saturday's 49-10 Midwest Conference football loss to Chicago at Stagg Field.
The MWC's top tackler and among the national leaders going in, Thompson finished three tackles shy of the single-game school record. He was credited with 14 assisted stops and five solos.
On the heels of an impressive Homecoming win last weekend, Cornell (2-4 overall, 1-3 MWC) could never get on track Saturday against the title-contending Maroons (4-1 overall, 3-0 MWC).
The Rams lost a fumble on the third play from scrimmage. Chicago went on to score touchdowns on its first five possessions and built a 35-3 lead at intermission.
Cornell's lone first-half points came on a 32-yard field goal by
Mitchell Frahm early in the second quarter. Frahm's 11th career made field goal capped an 8-play, 72-yard drive, trimming the deficit to 21-3.
Trailing 42-3, Cornell's offense found the end zone early in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard TD reception by
Cole Reed from quarterback
Mason Dew. It was the first TD Chicago's defense had allowed in 12 quarters.
Chicago held a decisive 21-minute advantage in time of possession and doubled up the Rams in total yards, 505-236. The Maroons were an efficient 10-of-13 on third down conversions, while Cornell went 1-of-11.
Dew, who threw for a career-high 371 yards a week ago, was limited to 73 yards against the Maroons. He completed 9-of-24 attempts and was sacked twice.
Reed led the receiving corps with five catches for 79 yards, including a long of 42.
Cade Souhrada had four receptions for 21 yards.
Justin Bender rushed for a team-high 35 yards on only two carries.
Jackson Lindsay ran for 33 yards,
Aaron Kolen 29.
Safety
Joshua Martin had another solid game for Cornell's defense with nine tackles. Freshmen
Amir Weems-Bey and
Theo Engle pitched in seven tackles apiece.
Caleb Smith recorded the team's lone quarterback sack.
Coming up – The Rams play host to Knox (1-4 overall, 0-3 MWC) at 1 p.m. next Saturday, Oct. 17, at Van Metre Field at Ash Park.
