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Cornell University Athletics

Marc DiNunzio returns a kickoff for the Big Red during the 1981 season.

The Perfect Season: Big Plays Propel Cornell Past Brown, 14-9 (1981)

10/24/2020 3:30:00 PM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Derrick Harmon's 56-yard first quarter run got Cornell set up and Marc DiNunzio's 94-yard kickoff return to start the second half sealed it up as the Big Red topped Brown 14-9 on Saturday afternoon at Brown Stadium.|

The game left the Bears in shock after it piled up 519 yards of offense, the fourth greatest total by a Big Red opponent in school history. The Big Red win snapped an eight-game skid in the series thanks to its big plays.

Harmon ended the day with 18 carries for 99 yards while completing a 48-yard pass and catching another for 10. His touchdown run was set up after John Constantino recovered a Brown fumble in the red zone for an eventual 14-point swing.

DiNunzio's kickoff return was the Big Red's longest in eight years. Dan Malone took a kick back 97 yards against Lehigh at Schoellkopf in 1973.

Hank Landers rolled up a Brown record 379 yards of total offense, including 306 through the air. 

The game easily could have been put out of hand by the Big Red, who weren't able to score from the 1 on a first half possession, then missed a 38-yard field goal attempt. The Bears likely felt different, getting to the 12 with five minutes left before Chris Bakowski knocked down Landers' fourth down pass. 

Brown's Steve Jordan had eight catches for 109 yards and an 18-yard scoring reception. 
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