Box Score | Box Score (PDF) | Game Recap (VIDEO)

ITHACA, N.Y. – Sprint football kicked off the 2014 campaign on Saturday, blasting Franklin Pierce 28-7 in the team's home opener at Schoellkopf Field. The Big Red racked up 321 total yards, including 204-yards on the ground, outscoring the Ravens 14-0 after the halftime break to run away with the victory.
 
The Big Red had to break in a new quarterback for the first time in three seasons, following the graduation of Second Team All-CSFL signal caller Brendan Miller. Sophomore quarterback Rob Pannullo had a breakout performance as the new starter, rolling for 211 all-purpose yards, while accounting for all four touchdowns – two rushing and two passing – on the day.
 
Sophomore running back Benjamin Herrera added 64-yards on ten carries, adding six catches for 40 yards. Sophomore running back Kevin Nathanson added five catches for 30-yards, including a 14-yard scoring reception with 18 seconds remaining.
 
Senior receiver led the way on the outside with six receptions for 41 yards.
 
The Big Red was impressive on the other side of the ball as well. Cornell (W, 1-0) completely shut down the Franklin Pierce (L, 0-1) offensive attack, while forcing three turnovers and collecting seven sacks. Constantly swarming to the ball with multiple defenders, the Big Red grounded the Ravens rushing attack, allowing only 35 net yards on 34 rushing attempts.
 
Junior linebacker Jino Park lived in the Franklin Pierce backfield, collecting two sacks and all three total stops behind the line of scrimmage. Sophomore linebacker Chris D'Ambrosio was all over the field, leading the squad with six total stops – three solo and three assist – while adding a half sack and interception. Senior captains Eric Stazi and Chris Sitko each added sacks in the contest.
 
Pannullo got things going on the second drive of the contest. He led the Big Red on a ten-play 59-yard scoring drive, capped by his 11-yard scoring jaunt, to stake Cornell to the early lead.
 
The Ravens responded on the ensuing drive. Set up with excellent field position, following an 11-yard return of a short kickoff by the up-man Thomas Wall. Franklin Pierce was aided by a personal foul on the drive, before freshman quarterback Jose Melo found sophomore receiver Andrew Jean for a 27-yard pass play to even the score at seven apiece.
 
Neither team was able to sustain any significant drives until the waning moments of the opening half. Cornell forced a punt and started with good field position at its own 40 with 0:58 to play. Pannullo executed the two-minute drill to perfection, hooking up on a 15-yard pass to Herrera and a 14-yard pass to Roth to kick start the drive. A personal foul committed by the Ravens moved the ball inside the red zone, where Pannullo hooked with Nathanson for the 14-yard score with 0:18 left on the clock.
 
With the 14-7 lead, the Big Red defense locked in after the break. Cornell completely smothered the Ravens, holding Franklin Pierce to just 51-yards on eight drives after intermission.
 
The Big Red took control of the game with 12:03 left in the fourth. Starting the drive inside Ravens territory at the 45, Pannullo directed an eight-play drive, capping it with a six-yard touchdown to a wide-open Trevor Marrero in the back of the end zone.
 
Cornell capped the scoring with 7:01 remaining. Set up with possession inside the Franklin Pierce five yard line on a fumble recovery by junior defensive lineman Skylar Carfi, Pannullo powered in on third down from three yards out to up the lead to 28-7.
 
Up next for sprint football is a road trip to Ivy League rival Penn. The Big Red will square off with the Quakers on Friday, Sept. 26 with opening kick scheduled for 7 p.m. at Franklin Field in Philadelphia, Pa. The Big Red's next home game is Oct. 18, as it welcomes Navy to Schoellkopf Field.