WEST POINT, N.Y. -- The Army West Point football team shut out Cornell in the season opener for both teams on Saturday evening at Shea Stadium, topping the Big Red 72-0. The Black Knights piled up 530 yards on offense in claiming the 11th consecutive victory in the series.
Xavier Martinez complete 8-of-20 passes for 63 yards, with four passes connecting with
Colin Boyle for 32 yards.
Ralph Fleuranvil netted 29 yards on the ground on 14 carries.
Billy Turner and
Will Anderson notched 10 tackles apiece for the Big Red.
Army West Point's defense posted 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks, while the offense averaged 9.8 yards per play and was a perfect 5-for-5 on third down. Mikal Willleke was 12-of-16 passing for 185 yards and three touchdowns, while Seth Brown and Deandre Brunings each ran for a pair of touchdowns to lead the Black Knight offense.
It took the home team 10 minutes to get on the scoreboard, but once it began the scoring onslaught, it was difficult to stop. It was 14-0 at the end of the first before Army West Point scored 37 second quarter points to roll out to a 51-0 lead at the break.
The Black Knights outgained the Big Red 362-58 over the first 30 minutes, piling up 20 first downs. Army West Point had three different receivers and four rushers find the end zone in the first 30 minutes.
Cornell will have a bye week before opening its home schedule with a contest against Mansfield on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at Schoellkopf Field.
