Cornell secured its first Ivy League football win of the season by defeating Brown 30-24 in double overtime at Schoellkopf Field on Saturday. The victory marks the Big Red’s second win of the season and their first overtime triumph since 2007, which also came against Brown.
Brown established an early lead with a touchdown pass from James Murphy to Ty Pezza and extended it with a field goal by Drew Crabtree. The Bears increased their advantage to 17-6 in the fourth quarter after a short touchdown run by Qwentin Brown.
Cornell’s comeback began late in the game when quarterback Garrett Bass-Sulpizio finished an eight-play drive with a 10-yard rushing touchdown. He then connected with John McAuliffe for a two-point conversion, narrowing Brown’s lead to three points. The Big Red defense stopped Brown on downs, allowing Cornell to move into field goal range. Freshman Jonathan Roost tied the game at 17-17 with a 25-yard field goal, sending the contest into overtime.
In the first overtime period, Brown regained the lead after Murphy found Pezza for another touchdown. Cornell responded immediately as Jordan Triplett scored on a two-yard run, followed by Roost’s extra point to tie the game.
During the second overtime, Triplett added his third touchdown of the game on a one-yard carry. Although Cornell’s two-point attempt failed, the defense prevented Brown from scoring on their final possession. Matt Childs was tackled for no gain on fourth down at the Cornell five-yard line, sealing the win.
Bass-Sulpizio completed 28 of 48 passes for 346 yards and contributed 70 rushing yards and a touchdown. Triplett led Cornell’s running game with 64 yards and three touchdowns. Ryan Matulevich recorded six receptions for 100 yards.
Defensively, Braylon Howard led Cornell with nine tackles, while Damon Barnes had eight. Johnny Williamson registered one sack and four tackles for loss.
Brown’s Murphy threw for 471 yards and two touchdowns but was sacked three times. Pezza caught nine passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns.
Cornell outperformed Brown in rushing yards, gaining 157 yards on 46 carries compared to Brown’s 32 yards on 33 attempts.
Cornell will finish its current homestand next Saturday against Princeton. The upcoming game will be the 107th meeting between the two teams, with Princeton holding the series lead.
