ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell sprint football will look to even its record this coming Friday when it welcomes Post to Schoellkopf Field for the middle game of the season concluding three-game home stand. Opening kick against the Eagles is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24.
 
Cornell Big Red (2-3) vs. Post Eagles (2-2)
Friday, October 23, 2014 | 7:00 PM | Ithaca, N.Y. – Schoellkopf Field
All-Time Series: Cornell Trails, 1-3
Last Meeting (2013): Cornell Loss, 10-21
Live Stats | Live Video (ILDN)
 
SCOUTING CORNELL
 
Big Red Headlines
Cornell dropped a hard fought contest to undefeated Navy on homecoming last Saturday. The Big Red was able to dissect the CSFL's league leading defense for 30 points – more than three times its average allowed – with Rob Pannullo throwing for four touchdowns. However, the Cornell defense could not limit the big-play as the Midshipmen connected on five scoring plays of 35+ yards to win the shootout 42-30.
 
About Head Coach Terry Cullen
Cullen is a Cornell legend and has been a patriarch of the sprint football program at the University for over five decades. He enters his 51^st season with the program in 2014, after joining his father; former sprint football head coach Bob Cullen, in 1964. He has amassed a 172-142-7 career record with the program, leading the team to two undefeated seasons and six league titles. Cullen shared coaching responsibilities with his father through the 1995 season, before serving as the sole head coach from 1996-2007. His position became officially known as The Terry Cullen Head Coach of Sprint Football in 2001.
 
About Co-Head Coach Bart Guccia
Guccia enters his tenth season as a member of the sprint football coaching staff and his seventh as co-head coach in 2014. A bright offensive mind, Guccia has brought a balanced offensive attack to the Big Red since his installment as co-head coach. The offense looked in mid-season form in the team's home opener, as the Big Red moved the ball at will through the air and on the ground in route to the three touchdown victory. He is responsible for the majority of on-field coaching and gameday decisions. The Big Red is 38-28 since he joined the program in 2005.
 
Last Meeting vs. Post
Cornell opened last season at Post, falling 21-10 in Waterbury, Conn. After conceding a 91-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff, the Big Red settled in, shutting out the Eagles for the remainder of the opening half. The Big Red offense equaled the Post score on its opening drive as Brendan Miller connected with Benjamin Herrera for the 4-yard touchdown. Cornell tacked on a 27-yard field goal from John Rodriguez to take a 10-7 lead into halftime. Post made the adjustments with the ground game after the intermission, while the defense stymied Cornell from putting together long drives. James Harrington gashed the Big Red for two long touchdown runs – a 60-yarder in the third quarter and a 45-yarder in the fourth – to secure the victory for the Eagles.
 
Captain Quartet
The Big Red has four captains who will bring a wealth of leadership to the team in key areas this fall. The four senior captains are First Team All-CSFL defensive back Chris Sitko, Second Team All-CSFL defensive lineman Eric Stazi, and Second Team All-CSFL offensive linemen Greg Zalevsky and Bennett Winters.
 
Strength in the Trenches
Traditionally, the team that wins the battle at the line of scrimmage has the best chance of winning the game. The team returns two all-league players on the offensive line in Zalevsky and Winters. The defensive front seven looks fearsome as Stazi and Carfi return to anchor the defensive line, while all-league linebackers D'Ambrosio and Park provide support behind them. The offensive line has paved the way for the Cornell runners this season, as the Big Red ranks fourth in the league averaging 155-yards per game on the ground.
 
Best in the Backfield
Junior running back Benjamin Herrera is establishing himself as one of the best backs in the CSFL this season. He leads the Big Red with 328 rushing yards and has added 120-yards on 17 receptions. He has accounted for three touchdowns on the ground and two through the air. He currently ranks sixth in the league in rushing, while he is tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns.
 
Progression of Pannullo
Sophomore quarterback Rob Pannullo is progressing nicely in his first season as the primary signal-caller for the Big Red offense. After a couple bumps in the road against Penn and Army, he has rebounded nicely in his last two starts. He had a breakout performance against the Midshipmen last Saturday, setting new career-highs in completions (23), attempts (48), passing yards (295), and passing touchdowns (4).
 
Offensive Outburst
The Big Red has put up 85 points over its two most recent games. While the lopsided margin against Princeton was somewhat expected, the 30 points against the CSFL's leading defense in Navy is a sign that the team could be a real force to be reckoned with for next season as players have gained considerable experience in their roles. The 30 points scored on Navy were the most allowed by the Midshipmen since Army hung 32 in the season finale to the 2010 season.
 
SCOUTING POST
 
Eagle Headlines
Post is flying high after defeating Penn 28-21 last Friday at Franklin Field. While the Eagles enter this weekend with a record of 2-2, the squad's only two losses have come against undefeated Army and Navy. After falling behind 7-0 just before the end of the first quarter, the Post offense got into rhythm posting three straight scores heading into the halftime break. Greg Volpe hit Jay'Len Mahan on a 81-yard pass play as the quarter expired. Joseph Lynch pounded in the next touchdown on the ground from six yards out, while Volpe and Mahan combined on another passing touchdown – this time a 30-yarder – to take a 21-7 lead to the break. While Penn was twice able to cut the deficit to seven, it proved to be too much to comeback from as Post took the victory.
 
About Head Coach Michael Mannetti
Mannetti is in his third season as the head coach of the Post sprint football program and has been with the team for all four years since its inaugural year in 2010. He was recently promoted to Athletic Director at the conclusion of the last academic year. Under his guidance he has affected rapid expansion of the athletic program at Post, playing an instrumental role in launching women's bowling and golf as the two newest varsity sports. He currently has an 11-7 record at the helm of the sprint football and has turned the fledgling program into a force to be reckoned with in the CSFL.
 
Post Controls the Pace
The Eagles like to slow the game down and control the clock. Despite ranking towards the bottom of the CSFL in most yard per game categories, the Eagles are third in terms of time of possession. Post holds the ball on average just shy of 31-minutes per game, which is impressive considering its seventh ranked conversion rate on 3^rd-downs (22%).
 
Speed on the Outside
The Big Red will need to keep a sharp eye on wide-out Jay'Len Mahan. The junior speedster is the focal point of the passing attack, leading the squad by a wide margin in catches (15), yards (240), and touchdowns (3). He ranks fourth in the league in receiving yards per game (60), while he is tied for third in touchdown catches. Cornell was burned several times by the long pass against the Midshipmen and will need to find some answers in order to contain the dangerous Mahan.
 
Pass Rush Prowess
Junior defensive end Anthony Jamele has been one of the most fearsome pass rushing ends in the league this season. He has terrorized opponent quarterbacks, notching four sacks and 8.5 tackles-for-loss. He currently ranks in a tie for third in the CSFL with an average just shy of eight tackles per game.
 
UP NEXT
The Big Red will conclude the 2014 season next Friday as it welcomes Mansfield for Senior Day. Opening kick is scheduled for 7 p.m.