ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell senior quarterback Jeff Mathews has his NFL shot after signing a contract with the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday evening. The move was announced with the team's undrafted free agent signings on Sunday.

Mathews ended his storied Cornell career as the most prolific quarterback in Ivy League history and in all of college football. He ranks among the top 20 all-time in career passing yards in the FCS and set the Ivy League's all-time passing record by more than 2,000 yards. He ended his career with 47 Big Red school records and 18 Ivy League marks for passing and total offense.

As a senior, Mathews led the conference in completions (228), attempts (360), passing yards (2,953), total offense yards (2,935), passing yards per game (328.1 ypg) and total offense per game (326.1 ypg.) and was second in passing touchdowns (22) while running for four more en route to second-team All-Ivy honors. He ranked in the top 30 in FCS in passing yards per game (fourth), total offense (fifth), completions per game (sixth), points responsible for per game (ninth), passing yards (15th), passing touchdowns (22nd), passing efficiency (22nd), yards per completion (26th) and completion percentage (29th). Mathews accounted for at least three touchdowns in six of his nine games this past season. The three-year team captain was named one of 16 finalists for the National Football Foundation's William V. Campbell Trophy that recognizes the top football scholar-athlete in the nation. The three-time All-Ivy selection was a Capital One Academic All-District first-team selection and a two-time finalist for the Bushnell Cup for the Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year, winning in 2011.

After the season, Mathews became the fifth Cornellian to accept an invite to the East-West Shrine game, serving as a team captain for the East team, and also accepted an invitation to the Draft Combine.

Mathews wasn't selected in the seven round NFL Draft this past weekend, but that won't keep the record-breaking quarterback from his shot at pro football. In fact, if he goes the path of the last Cornellian to make an NFL roster as an undrafted free agent, he'll likely be very happy.

Bryan Walters '10 was a record-breaking wide receiver who signed after the draft with the San Diego Chargers. After two seasons there and one with the Minnesota Vikings, Walters was part of a Seattle Seahawks squad that won Super Bowl XLVIII this past season.

Mathews joins Dominique Davis, Sean Renfree and Matt Ryan as the lone four quarterbacks on the roster. Ryan is a two-time Pro Bowler, but Renfree and Davis have only combined to play in one NFL game.

Mathews would become the fourth current Cornellian in the NFL, joining Walters, Kevin Boothe (Oakland Raiders) and J.C. Tretter (Green Bay Packers).