Coe and Cornell rivalry moves to prime time

MOUNT VERNON, Iowa - The spotlight will be on Kyle Stennes on Saturday night -- in more ways than one.

The Cornell senior is making his first start as a college quarterback in the 124th meeting between the Rams and rival Coe College. And if that wasn't a big enough stage, Saturday's game will be the first time the teams have ever played at night.

'I think it's going to be the most electric game us seniors have played in our four years here,” Stennes said. 'Playing under the lights really adds to it. We're all looking forward to it.”

Cornell had lights installed around the field at Ash Park this summer. Athletics Director John Cochrane said the school hopes to host two early season games per season at night. The late start already has added some buzz to the rivalry and Cochrane said the athletics office has received 'considerably more” phone calls than it typically takes in the lead-up to a home opener asking about available tickets, seating and parking.

'That's why we wanted to schedule a night game,” he said. 'To provide a great showcase for our facility, and an excellent atmosphere for our student-athletes to play in. We expect a really nice crowd.”

Cornell practiced most of this week under the lights. Returning all-conference offensive lineman Sam Cluck said he hadn't played in a night game in four years.

'It's super exciting. It's a completely different atmosphere,” he said. 'Everybody gets a little more pop in their step. It brings me back to high school.

'I've heard people talking around school about how they're going to go because it's a night game. I feel like it's a historic time for our school, so I think a lot of people are going to be there.”

Also helping build excitement is both teams having championship aspirations this season in their respective conferences. Cornell broke through with its first winning record since 2001 last year, finishing 7-3. The Rams have Cluck and fellow preseason All-American Troy Bedard on the offensive line, and two returning all-conference receivers in Ben Knake and Justin Cox. That means Stennes should be in position to succeed in his first action as a starter. The Buckley, Wash., native has seen limited action in injury relief, completing 25 of 48 career passes. That experience gave him a leg up in a quarterback competition in camp.

'He'll have some first-start jitters, but I think he'll be fine,” head coach Vince Brautigam said. 'He's gotten some reps over the last few years. Kyle's understanding of the offense, what we want and what we expect gives him an advantage.”

Coe opened its season last Saturday in dramatic fashion. After falling behind 31-0 in the first half to No. 24 Wheaton, quarterback Josh Rekers led a Kohawk rally that fell just short in a 36-28 loss. Rekers threw for a career-high 317 yards and three touchdown passes.

'In the second half we played almost flawlessly,” he said. 'We took a step back and calmed down. Everyone was a little too hyped up. But we've got to know we can't waste a half this time.”

It'll be difficult not to be hyped up again this week as Coe goes for a 15th straight win over its rival during prime time. Rekers said as a returning quarterback, it will fall to him to help keep the Kohawks calm.

But that doesn't mean he won't appreciate the added intensity.

'It kind of seems like you're the spotlight of the whole city,” he said. 'It just gets you pumped up.”

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