Rams hang tough before falling to Wartburg, 30-7

MOUNT VERNON - Moral victories aren't worth much in Mount Vernon.

A moral victory and a dollar most likely will get you a cold drink at Gary's Foods, but that's it since they aren't worth anything to the Cornell football team.

The Rams weren't satisfied playing Wartburg close for 56 minutes before giving up two late scores in a 30-7 Iowa Conference loss Saturday at Ash Park.

“There are no moral victories,” Cornell Coach Matt Dillon said. “We're past that point.”

Wartburg quarterback Nick Yordi squashed Cornell's chances for a real win with a near-perfect second half. He threw for 122 yards and two touchdowns on 11-of-13 passing after halftime. He finished with 232 yards.

The Knights were able to come up with big plays when needed, converting on five third- and fourth-down plays in their final two scoring drives to break open a 16-7 game.

“It's totally on the O-line,” said Yordi, a former Solon prep. “Whether it's open holes to get the first down running the ball or protecting for me to sit back there as long as I wanted and be able to find an open receiver, they did a great job.”

Cornell's solid defense just didn't have an answer on key plays. Defensive back Don Bladt said the defense needs to find the mindset to stop drive.

“That was the story of the game,” said Bladt, who led Cornell with 13 tackles. “Third and long, they converted and we didn't.”

While the Knights executed, the Rams (1-2, 0-1) squandered too many opportunities.

In the first half, Cornell had first-and-goal twice but failed to score due to a fumble at the 1 and a blocked field goal.

Wartburg blocked another field goal in the second half that could have pulled the Rams within six points.

“We got to learn how to execute in the red zone and make plays when we have to make them,” Dillon said.”

It was the Rams' 29th-straight conference league loss.

“It's tough to lose one like this,” Bladt said. “We were so close.”