LAFAYETTE HILL, Pa. – The sprint football team came back from a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take a one point lead against Chestnut Hill on Friday night but ultimately fell on a waning minute touchdown pass, 29-24.

Chestnut Hill (1-2) jumped out to an early 10-0 lead in the first quarter and then added another touchdown halfway through the second quarter for the 16-0 edge, but the Big Red clawed its way back into the game before halftime thanks to senior quarterback Rob Pannullo and junior running back Evan Ball.

Pannullo connected with Ball for a 73-yard strike and Ben Finkelstein nailed the point after attempt to make it 16-7 with 5:24 to go in the second quarter. It was five minutes later that Pannullo called his own number and punched the ball in from two yards out to pull Cornell within two heading into the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, Chestnut Hill struck just 30 seconds into the fourth when quarterback Michael Marino hooked up with Reginald Robinson Jr. for a 26-yard touchdown pass and the 23-14 lead.

Pannullo and the Big Red kept fighting and answered right back on the next drive to again pull within two points. After a 69-yard run from Will Griffen to put Cornell deep into Chestnut Hill territory, Pannullo connected on a nine yard pass with Alexander Furman to make it 23-21.

The Big Red defense then forced the Griffins to punt on the ensuing drive and handed the ball back over to Pannullo and the offense. Pannullo promptly hit Furman for a 36-yard completion on the second play of the drive and then had rushes of three and five yards to move the ball into position for Finkelstein's 26-yard kick. The 24-23 lead was Cornell's first of the game.

It was the Griffins turn to answer back, though, and Marino was able to find the end zone in just two passes. It was a 33-yard connection with Robinson Jr. that gave Chestnut Hill the final lead, 29-24.

Pannullo finished the game 15-of-39 for 235 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The quarterback also rushed for 17 yards and a score. Griffen finished with 74 yards rushing and caught nine passes for 103 yards while Ball had 11 touches for nine yards and had three receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown. Furman finished the game with two catches and a score.

John Zelek led the Cornell defense with 10 tackles and one forced fumble while Ryan Jackson added seven tackles and Marcus Weeks had six.

The Big Red will hit the road for a third-straight week when it travels to Army West Point on Friday for a 7 p.m. matchup.