Beau Cornwell helps Luther football get first win since 2019

DECORAH — Beau Cornwell determined a change was necessary.

He was ready to move on from Monmouth (Ill.) College and continue his college football career elsewhere. The choice may have been a surprise to some.

The former West Branch prep landed at Luther, a program coming off a winless 2021 campaign that hadn’t produced a multi-win season since 2017.

“I knew I needed to find a new home,” Cornwell said. “A lot of people called me crazy, coming to an 0-10 program, but when I came on my visit all the guys were really happy to see me. They already knew who I was. Easy conversations. I could tell they wanted me to come here. I saw the things we could do if I did come here.

“Right when I committed, I knew it was the best decision of my life.”

The new Norse quarterback has made an impact already. Cornwell ranks among American Rivers Conference leaders in passing after helping Luther capture its first victory in almost three seasons. The Norse defeated Simpson, 33-23, last week and host conference co-leader Coe Saturday at Legacy Field of Carlson Stadium.

“We got that first win under our belts last week,” Cornwell said. “That was definitely big for the program, the school and all these guys. You could see the emotions. I couldn’t do anything without these guys and that is what it ultimately comes down to.”

Cornwell arrived on campus in January and built an instant rapport with teammates. He felt welcome and gained their respect. He demonstrates a rare knack to connect with others by the way he conducts himself on and off the field.

“He’s phenomenal,” Luther Coach Joe Troche said. “He’s a pleasure to work with. He does a really good job relating to all of our players.

“It carries over to your team. When you’re a great person off the field and on the field and just consistent. He’s finding ways to motivate guys. He’s such a great leader. We’re so much better when he is around.”

Troche was named head coach in December. Cornwell recalled the conversation about the goals and expectations. He accepted the demands and standards of the new staff. Cornwell has met them with passion, whether holding teammates accountable after a lackluster practice or smiling through the stress of competition.

“He could have gone other places,” Troche said. “He came here because of the academics and location.

“You have this great idea. You come to a place. You come in and ‘whoa, I didn’t sign on for this.’ He’s faced it head on and said we’re changing it. He’s been such a great ally for his coaches and teammates. He’s always positive. He always finds a way.”

The program notched its first victory since a 35-34 triumph over Nebraska Wesleyan on Nov. 9, 2019, coming on the heels of a near-miss against Buena Vista. The Norse lost in a 52-49 shootout. The performance provided confidence that a breakthrough was about to occur. The wait wasn’t long.

“I knew after the BV game we were close,” Cornwell said. “We were one or two plays away from winning that game and I knew during warmups against Simpson this was going to be the one.

“All the guys were locked in. We knew what we were supposed to do. We were willing to do it. We did our job and everybody contributed in all three phases of the game.”

Cornwell is third in the conference with 1,304 passing yards, 260.8 yards per game and 97 completions. His 179 pass attempts is fourth. He has thrown for eight touchdowns, rushed for two more and caught one.

The last two games included an increase in production. Cornwell has passed for 724 yards and six TDs in the last two games, including 307 yards and two scores against the Storm.

“I think the offensive line has done a great job the last two weeks,” Cornwell said. “We’ve had zero weeks the last few weeks. Our run game has been over 100 yards with (tailback) Vershon (Brooks) the last two weeks. That just opens passing lanes up for all our receivers. I just have to put the ball in the right guys’ hands.”

Cornwell passed for more than 275 yards in the first two games of the season against Presentation and St. Olaf. Not bad considering he hadn’t thrown a pass in competition in three years, playing junior varsity games as a freshman at Monmouth. The Covid season followed that year and a coaching change led to him transferring and sitting out to save an extra year of eligibility.

”He’s just scratching the surface,” Troche said. “That’s the scary part. Each week, he gets so much better.”

Cornwell said he had to build stamina and maintain high energy for the duration of an entire game. The Norse have witnessed the benefit.

“Once I figured that out, we started stacking up points,” said Cornwell, who also has a receiving TD. “It’s like riding a bike. I just go out there and play my game. I only go as far as these guys take me and they’re taking me pretty far right now. I’m thankful for that.”

Contributions aren’t just with his arm and legs. Cornwell has made a difference with his foot as well. The all-state punter for the Bears was asked to perform those duties for the Norse as well. He ranks third in the conference with a 35.8-yard average and was tied for the league lead with three punts of more the 50 yards. Cornwell has six punts downed inside the 20 and owns a long of 54.

Quarterback as punter allows the Norse to run fakes — they have run three already —and keep the defense on its toes. Cornwell embraced the duties.

“Coach Troche asked me if I could punt at the start of the year,” Cornwell said. “It brings a whole other dimension to special teams. He always talks about how the punt team is the most important. You can flip the field, do fakes and all this stuff. It’s pretty fun.”

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