ITHACA, N.Y. — Cornell opens the 2024 season against Molloy University on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. on Schoellkopf Field.

This will be the first match-up between the Big Red and the Lions in sprint football. Saturday night's game will also serve as the inaugural sprint football game for Molloy University as they are a first year program.

Cornell, who went 0-6 last season, is looking for its first win since October 21, 2022. This game is meant to be a turning point for Big Red sprint football under its new head coach, Michael Huyghue.

"For us it's our Super Bowl," said Huyghue. "This team is coming off of an 0-6 season. They've been putting a lot of hard work into this season and I think starting off with a win is the most important thing to us."

Throughout the whole season, this team will be looking to take on each week of competition without any thought of what is in the rear-view mirror or what is coming up next, a motto Huyghue is enforcing.

"There is no focus beyond this game," said Huyghue.

Players to look out for: 

Starting at quarterback for the Big Red will be junior Max Spero. Spero is a newcomer to the team this season. He will be taking the field at home for his first conference game as the facilitator for Cornell.

Spero will have the support of senior Evan Nicholas who is a utility player for this squad, having played quarterback, running back, wide receiver and most recently defensive back for the Big Red. He will play an influential role for this team both on the field and off of it as a team leader.

On the defensive side of the ball, Cornell is looking at a solid force that starts with junior defensive lineman Zach Glenn, junior linebacker Michael Mosier and sophomore Ethan Qasemi. 

The defensive backs are also looking strong with standouts Ian Applegate (junior) and Kruz Meier (senior). 

The Big Red will look to start its season on the right foot on Saturday as it works for its first win in almost two years.

This game will be streamed on ESPN+.