Cornell deals with adversity early, as it looks to compete for Midwest Conference title

MOUNT VERNON — They checked in for their first day of fall camp and got hit with some tough news.

The Cornell Rams were told offensive coordinator Don Dicus wouldn't be with them because he's dealing with cancer. Quite a punch to the gut.

For everyone.

'We're hoping for the best, praying for him every day,' said senior wide receiver Riley Bell. 'I think it's brought our team together. He brought in a lot of our recruits, brought me in three years ago. We're going to miss him a lot. We miss him out here on the practice field.'

Dicus played football at Cornell and returned to coach at the school in 2009 as OC and quarterbacks coach. He's a Ram, through and through.

Stacy Griffis has taken over his duties on an interim basis.

'Don's in good spirits, putting up a courageous fight. We expect him back at some point,' said head coach Vince Brautigam. 'When something like this happens, it puts things into perspective ... Enjoy every sunrise, tell the people around you that you love them. We always say don't sweat the little things. You always try to do that, but sometimes it takes something like this to jar you.'

Cornell finished 5-5 in 2016, its fourth consecutive season of at least .500 ball. Brautigam, in his eighth season, has done a very nice job, leading the school to a 17-10 record since it went back into the Midwest Conference.

He's got 32 returning letterwinners, including 13 returning starters. The roster consists of 49 players.

'Everybody's got to be on their best foot,' said sophomore running back Mickey Hines, a former Mount Vernon prep. 'We just have to go in with the attitude that we have what we have, that's all we've got, but it's all we need. What we've got around here is that family atmosphere. I come in here that first day, moving day, and everyone is hugging, happy to see each other. All smiles, asking each other how the summer went. We've always got each other's backs. When someone gets knocked down, we pick them back up.'

The Rams have plenty of experience offensively, but the position they don't have that is the most important on the field. Record-setting Daniel Brown, who led the Midwest Conference in total offense last season, has graduated, with his likely replacement, sophomore James Douglas, trying to convert from wide receiver.

Douglas did play QB in high school in Florida.

'We've got to bring him along and try not to give him too much to comprehend early on, until he gets his feet wet,' Brautigam said. 'We've had two scrimmages, and we've been able to do everything we wanted to do in those two scrimmages, so he's had the opportunity to see everything that he's needed to see.'

Bell had eight touchdown catches last season and came to Cornell as a QB, Brautigam pointed out. Running back also is not a concern, with several options, and the line has four guys back with starting experience.

End Andrew Joseph is the headliner on defense, a two-time all-conference guy who is closing in on school records for career sacks and tackles for loss. All three starting linebackers return, as do both corners and strong safety Colter McMenimen.

Brautigam said there is some concern with the kicking game, as last season's placekicker and punter have graduated. Cornell begins its season with a home game under the lights at Ash Park (7 p.m. kick) against Iowa Wesleyan.

'We're definitely going to fight,' said senior linebacker Stephen Ruiz. 'We've had some bumps in the road already, with a new OC, a new quarterback, a young D-line. That's what's going to happen. We're all going to be there to pick each other up and hustle every play. Realistically, our goal is definitely to go over .500.'

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