ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell Sprint Football travels to Saratoga Springs, N.Y. this weekend to take on Franklin Pierce University in the ninth edition of the Adirondack Trust Allegiance Bowl at Saratoga High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
GAME INFORMATION
GAME #2: Cornell vs. Franklin Pierce
GAME TIME: Saturday, Sept. 21, 1 p.m.
GAME SITE: Saratoga High School (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.)
SERIES RECORD:  Cornell leads 1-0-0      
LAST MEETING:  Cornell won 26-21 (2012)
2013 RECORDS:  Cornell (0-1), Franklin Pierce (0-1)
 
*Inaugural season
 
ABOUT THE BIG RED
The Big Red is still looking for its first win in 2013 after falling to Post last weekend. Cornell finished the 2012 season fourth in the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) with a 3-3 record against league opponents (4-3 overall). The Big Red has finished in the middle of the pack the past four seasons, and will look to get back to the top of the league in 2013. The coaching staff named five captains for the season: Kyle Higgins, Brendan Miller, Michael Monahan, Chris Sitko and Bennett Winters.

THE HEAD COACH
Coach Terry Cullen is now in his 50th season at the helm of the Big Red program with a 168-134-7 career record. Cullen has been a member of the coaching staff since 1964 and spent 13 years as an assistant to his father, Bob Cullen, before the two shared head coaching responsibilities through the 1995 season. From 1996 to 2007, Terry served as the sole head coach of the program. He officially became the Terry Cullen Head Coach of Sprint Football in 2001.

THE CO-HEAD COACH
In August 2008, Cornell announced that Bart Guccia would assume a majority of the on-field coaching and gameday decisions for the Big Red. Guccia is now in his eighth year with the team and has posted a 21-14 record.

ABOUT FRANKLIN PIERCE
The Ravens joined the CSFL for the 2012 season but were not factored into league standings or statistics until the start of the 2013 campaign last week. Franklin Pierce dropped its first official game to Navy 23-9 last week, but managed to register the programs first successful field-goal on a 38-yard try. Sophomore linebacker James Willette is second in the CSFL with 14 tackles.
 
A WIN AGAINST THE RAVENS WOULD…
…Give Cornell its first win of 2013 and first Allegiance Bowl title since 2006.
 
THE ALLEGIANCE BOWL
This will be Cornell's third time in the Allegiance Bowl. The Big Red defeated Penn in 2006 and fell to Navy in 2008 in its two prior appearances. In addition to the Adirondack Trust Championship Trophy, they event also features the Ken Kunken Most Valuable Player Award which is presented in honor of Ken Kunken, a member of the 1970 Cornell University team who sustained a paralyzing injury during a sprint football game. Information about pre- and postgame festivities can be found on the Allegiance Bowl website.
 
LEADING WIDEOUT
The Big Red's Spenser Gruenenfelder leads all CSFL receivers after week one. The only wideout with over 100 yards receiving, Gruenenfelder made seven catches for 132 yards in Cornell's season opener at Post.
 
UNDER CENTER
Senior quarterback Brendan Miller has served as the primary option for the Big Red under center for the past two seasons; missing only one game in that time span because of a concussion. Through his first three seasons Miller has accumulated 3,133 passing yards and thrown for 26 touchdowns, while rushing for another 10 scores. He finished second in the league in passing in 2012 and was the CSFL First Team Quarterback.
 
ALL-CSFL RETURNERS
Following the 2012 season 16 Cornell athletes were recognized by the CSFL as all-league players; first team, second team and honorable mention. Of the five named to the CSFL First Team only two are back for the 2013 campaign: Miller and senior punter/kicker John Rodriguez. Three of the second-teamers – Kyle Higgins, John Kelder and Michael Monahan – will suit up again for the Big Red, as will two of the honorable mention selections: Spenser Gruenenfelder and Bennett Winters.
 
UP NEXT
The Big Red will host Penn on Friday Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in the team's home opener.