Box Score
ITHACA, NY (October 1, 2010) Post University's Sprint Football team almost left Ithaca, New York with their first win in only their second game in school history. Cornell defeated the Eagles 22-14, but Post University led the game 14-12 with only 12:07 left to play in the fourth quarter.
Cornell kicker Alex Perilstein connected on 3 of 4 attempts, including tries of 42, 39, and 34 yards, the last being the game winner in the fourth quarter giving the Big Red a 15-14 advantage they would not relinquish.
Post University got on the scoreboard first, capitalizing on a Christopher Borelli blocked punt, which set the Eagles up at the Cornell 3-yard line. Three plays later, quarterback Sir-Darryl Johnson found Daniel Awwad, who made a diving grab for the touchdown and a 6-0 lead.
Post University led 6-0 for much of the first half, until a Derrick Chance fumble at the Cornell 46 with 1:10 remaining led to a big drive for the Big Red.
Cornell quarterback Brendan Miller did his best Michael Vick impression, scampering for 24 yards to bring the Big Red to the Eagle 22 yard line. Then, he found Famularo on a screen pass for a 13-yard touchdown.
But the Eagles' Quintin Tyson blocked the extra point attempt, keeping the score tied at 6 going into halftime.
The lack of a field goal kicker hurt the Eagles most in the third quarter. With 10 minutes left in the third, Eagles cornerback Ta'Quan Chatman intercepted a Brendan Miller pass at midfield, returning it all the way to the Cornell 20 yard line.
But the Post University offense could only muster six yards and, without a field goal kicker, were forced to attempt an ill-fated fourth down conversion.
It didn't help that Perilstein blasted a 42-yard field goal on the ensuing drive, giving the Big Red its first lead of the game, 9-6.
“It's huge to have a kicker like [Perilstein],” said Cornell head coach Terry Cullen. “He can make the kicks. He doesn't miss 'em. It's such a great offensive weapon for us.”
Christopher Tropasso had 4 carries for Post University, including a 69-yard touchdown run that gave the Eagles a 12-9 lead with 12:02 left in the fourth quarter. .
The Eagles failed on two fourth-down conversions and averaged just 26.7 yards per kickoff on Friday night, giving Cornell great field position.
Post University head coach Pete Ewald said the lack of a reliable kicker was huge. “[It] absolutely hurt us. You know, we're struggling with that aspect of the game,” Ewald said.
But it wasn't all about the kicking game.
Cornell running back Doug Famularo rushed for 158 yards on 23 carries, including a 37-yard touchdown run with 4:07 left to seal the game for the Big Red. Famularo also had a 13-yard touchdown reception.
“I have to give credit to the offensive line,” Famularo said. “They stayed tough all game and I just followed their blocks.”
Post University returns to action next Friday when the Eagles travel to Princeton (0-3).
