ITHACA, N.Y. -- Year two of the Michael Huyghue '83 era brings a shift in mindset and momentum. With a deeper roster, renewed belief and a young core built to last, the Cornell sprint football team isn't just aiming to compete - it's laying the foundation to contend.

The Big Red opens the 2025 campaign with a high-stakes matchup against Navy on Saturday, Sept. 20 at noon at Schoellkopf Field. The Midshipmen, last season's CSFL South Division champions and league runner-up, offer a clear early-season measuring stick for where Cornell wants to be.

"In the past, the academies were always first and second, and everybody else was playing for third," said Huyghue, The Terry Cullen Head Coach of Sprint Football. "We've really tried to ingrain a culture that says our standard is at the Academy level. I think the mindset to compete will be the biggest part of that."

Cornell kicks off its eight-game schedule against a Navy program that has won 15 straight in the series and leads the all-time matchup 62-13-2. The Midshipmen and Army West Point have combined to win or share 16 of the last 17 league titles.

Huyghue made his offseason priorities clear: build from the ground up. The result is a 15-player freshman class — the largest in recent memory — with as many as seven expected to contribute immediately, including four projected starters on the offensive line.

"Every year, we were creating a new culture because we were graduating 25 seniors," Huyghue said. "Now, we're building continuity that can sustain and evolve."

The defense returns several key pieces, led by a secondary that Huyghue believes is the league's best.

Senior Ian Applegate, the team's Lt. Donald Sussman Defensive MVP last fall, returns after posting 34 tackles, two interceptions, three pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Junior Kruz Meier also returns following an all-league honorable mention campaign, contributing 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, and an interception.

"Defensively, I think we have the best secondary in the league and a front that will hold up for us if we stay healthy," Huyghue said.

The Big Red also welcomes back its top two tacklers in seniors Michael Mosier (38 tackles, 2.5 TFL) and Alexei DiDonato (36 tackles, 4.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 1 blocked kick).

With nearly every key offensive contributor from 2024 now graduated, including the top two rushers and four of the top five receivers, the Big Red offense enters 2025 with a new look and new opportunities.

Senior Max Spero, last year's top passer (43-of-92, 463 yards, 1 TD), will line up in multiple spots and be listed as an "Athlete" on the roster. He'll be joined in the offensive backfield by senior Julian Dahl and junior transfer Stefano Luis, while receivers Andrew Lay and Dan O'Malley are expected to take on larger roles.

"We've got a couple kids this year that give us the chance to stretch the field vertically," said Huyghue. "But all good football teams run the football."

Cornell returns an experienced tandem on special teams. Senior Leo Madera Castellanos, an honorable mention All-CSFL selection, averaged 19.5 yards per return on 11 kickoff attempts and also caught 21 passes for 169 yards. Junior place-kicker Stephen Cisz went 3-for-5 on field goals with a long of 38 yards, and was 9-for-10 on PATs.

With a stronger foundation, emerging leaders, and a clear commitment to long-term growth, Cornell isn't just taking the field in 2025 - it's taking aim at a new standard.