Cornell University will host Brown University in an Ivy League football matchup at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca on Saturday, October 25, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.
Cornell enters the contest with a 1-4 overall record and 0-2 in the Ivy League. The team is coming off a 30-20 win against Bucknell on October 18. Brown holds a 3-2 overall record but is also winless in conference play at 0-2, having lost to Princeton 40-21 in its last outing.
Brown leads the all-time series between the two teams, 39-31-1, and won the most recent meeting 23-21 on October 26, 2024. However, Cornell has taken two of the last three matchups, including a decisive win the last time Brown played in Ithaca.
Dan Swanstrom is in his second year as head coach for Cornell, with a record of 5-10 at the university and an overall career record of 37-21. He was appointed as The Roger J. Weiss ’61 Head Coach of Cornell Football by Dr. Nicki Moore, the Meakem Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education, in December 2023. “Swanstrom becomes the 28th head coach in school history,” according to the university.
Under Swanstrom’s leadership last season, Cornell improved its offensive output from just over 18 points per game in 2023 to more than 30 points per game in 2024. This led to third-place rankings in total yards per game, passing yards per game, and scoring within the Ivy League. Seven players received All-Ivy honors during his first year, with seniors Luke Banbury and Jameson Wang named to the All-Ivy League first team.
Before joining Cornell, Swanstrom served as head coach at Ithaca College for five seasons, compiling a record of 32-11 and leading the Bombers to three Liberty League titles.
Cornell’s recent victory over Bucknell featured a strong rushing attack with Jordan Triplett gaining 107 yards on 22 carries and John McAuliffe adding another touchdown. Quarterback Garrett Bass-Sulpizio contributed both on the ground and through key plays.
Defensively, sophomore linebacker Keith Williams Jr. was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week after recording two interceptions and nine tackles against Bucknell. Williams became the first Big Red linebacker since September 2023 to have two interceptions in one game.
Junior tight end Ryder Kurtz has also been recognized for his performance this season. He was named to Phil Steele’s Midseason All-American First Team and leads all Ivy League tight ends with three touchdown receptions so far this year.
Cornell’s defense ranks among the top units nationally, allowing just under 337 yards per game and ranking second nationally in limiting opponent first downs. The team has also performed well on special teams, with Doryn Smith averaging over 100 all-purpose yards per game.
Looking ahead in conference play, Harvard was selected as preseason favorite by media members covering Ivy League football. Cornell was picked seventh out of eight teams in that poll.
A total of eight Cornell players were selected to Phil Steele’s preseason All-Ivy teams this year—the highest number since placing nine players on these lists in 2023.
After facing Brown this weekend, Cornell will conclude its three-game homestand against Princeton on November 1. That contest will also be streamed live on ESPN+.
Schoellkopf Field remains central to Cornell football’s tradition since opening in 1915. Over its history, it has seen multiple renovations and hosted many notable moments for Big Red football.
Cornell’s football program has won five national titles across more than thirteen decades of play and produced several Hall of Fame coaches and players.
