| Box Score (PDF)
 
ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell sprint football dropped a tough battle on Saturday morning in its homecoming matinee against Navy. The Big Red put up 30 points on the stifling Midshipmen defense; however, the Navy offense was able to outpace the Big Red in the 42-30 shootout.
 
The Cornell (2-3) offense had a breakout performance against the menacing Navy (5-0) defense. The Midshipmen entered the matchup as the CSFL's top-ranked scoring defense, averaging a shade fewer than ten points per game. The Big Red gashed the 361-yards, including a season high 295 through the air. The 30 points was the highest total posted on the Midshipmen since Army scored 32 in the season finale between the two service academies in 2010.
 
Sophomore quarterback Rob Pannullo was courageous throughout the contest setting new career highs for: completions, attempts, passing yards and passing touchdowns, despite constant harassment and punishment from the physical Navy front seven. He went 23-of-48 for 295-yards and four passing touchdowns in the loss.
 
The Cornell defense had strong moments, but proved susceptible to allowing the big play from the speedy Navy playmakers on the outside. The Midshipmen rolled up 559-yards of total offense – 257 rushing and 302 passing – with the majority coming in big chunks. Navy had five scoring plays of over 30-yards, including three that were over 50-yards in length.
 
The Big Red got off to a flying start against the Midshipmen. On Navy's second drive of the game, linebacker Jino Park picked off a Joe Hampton pass, setting Cornell up inside the redzone. Pannullo capitalized on the third play of the ensuing drive, hooking up with receiver Trevor Marrero on a ten-yard scoring strike to stake the Big Red to the early 7-0 lead.
 
Navy answered the score in quick fashion just three minutes later. After a false start set the Midshipmen back to their own 15-yardline, Eric Wellmon gashed the Big Red for a 85-yard scoring jaunt down the right sideline to tie the game.
 
The Midshipmen surged ahead during a decisive second quarter, punching in three touchdowns to widen the gap. The visitors scored on the first play of the second quarter as Joe Hampton connected with receiver Corey Garcia for the 53-yard touchdown pass. Navy scored on its next possession as well. On a third-and-two, Hampton eluded the rush of two Big Red lineman, before scrambling for 22-yards to keep the drive alive. The next play he found Matthew Hite behind the defense for a 35-yard scoring strike to stretch the lead to 21-7.
 
The Big Red got the score back on its ensuing possession. Cornell marched 75-yards in five plays – the final two passes to Marrero covering 52-yards – with Pannullo hooking up with Marrero for the second time on a 14-yards touchdown pass.
 
The scoring flurry continued as Navy reestablished the two score advantage on its next drive. The Big Red were again burned on third down as Wellmon powered through a mass of Cornell defenders, before emerging out of pack and out-sprinting the pursuing pack for the 41-yard score.
 
The Big Red had two chances to cut into the lead before the half, but could only muster three points on a Mike Hobson 32-yard field goal, in two redzone possessions. Cornell would trail 28-17 at the break.
 
The Big Red got the ball coming out of the intermission, but an interception from Rob Pannullo stymied the promising drive in Navy territory. The Midshipmen wasted little time taking advantage as Hampton again found Garcia streaking past the Cornell defense for a 59-yard touchdown pass.
 
The Big Red would post two scores in the fourth quarter on touchdown passes to receiver Jonathan Roth and running back Benjamin Herrera, but the deficit proved too large, as the Midshipmen held on for the victory.
 
Cornell sprint football returns to action next Friday when it welcomes Post to Schoellkopf Field for a 7 p.m. opening kickoff.