Box Score (PDF)

ITHACA, N.Y. — Freshman quarterback Connor Ostrander and freshman running back JD Donahey III had breakout performances as Cornell sprint football defeated Princeton, 52-18, Friday night at Schoellkopf Field.
 
After junior quarterback Rob Pannullo rushed for the first two touchdowns of the game, including a 19-yard run just 1:59 into the game to open the scoring, Ostrander stepped in for the most of the rest of the game. In the waning moments of the first quarter, Ostrander, who was under intense pressure, managed to get off a 47-yard throw to sophomore wide receiver Ryman Seeley.
 
Pannullo took back over for the Big Red's first drive of the second quarter, handing off to junior running back Kevin Nathanson for three straight plays, including a six yard touchdown run to put Cornell up, 21-6.
 
Later in the second stanza, Herrera put together a string of runs to get the Big Red downfield before Ostrander completed a 17-yard pass to Nathanson to advance to the Princeton 8-yard line. Herrera completed the scoring drive with a run on the next play. Princeton found the end zone again before the half was complete, with the score reading 28-12 in favor of Cornell at the break.
 
The Big Red defense held Princeton to a three-and-out on the opening drive of the third quarter, and Pannullo ran for his third touchdown of the game on the ensuing Cornell possession.
 
Ostrander carried the load for the rest of the game, making two impressive runs on the next drive, for 14 and 15 yards. Herrera put together another series of rushes, including a 4-yarder for his second score of the night.
 
Donahey stepped in and made some impressive plays to close the third quarter, including back-to-back 10- and 8-yard runs. He then started the fourth quarter with five consecutive rushes for a total of 20 net yards to get the Big Red within field goal range. Junior Eric Brown made the kick, keeping Cornell's field goal percentage at 100 percent on the season and pushing the lead to 45-12.
 
Princeton scored on the next drive, capitalizing on a Cornell penalty, but failed on their two-point conversion.
 
The next drive was all freshmen, with Donahey catching a 19-yard pass from Ostrander. Ostrander then ran for three yards himself before Donahey capped off his big night with a 39-yard touchdown run to close the scoring.
 
Donahey led the offense with 83 rushing yards, though Pannullo was close behind with 82. Ostrander completed five of his seven passes and threw for 84 yards. Senior Jino Park posted eight solo tackles and two assisted hits on defense, including a sack that pushed Princeton quarterback Chad Cowden back 12 yards. Senior Evan Zittel also recorded a sack for a loss of 14.
 
With the win, the Big Red improved to 3-2 on the season, while Princeton fell to 0-3.
 
Cornell will play its remaining two games away from Schoellkopf Field, travelling to Annapolis, Md., to face Navy for a 7 p.m. kickoff next Friday, Oct. 23.