Slow start and turnovers hamper Rams against Beavers

MOUNT VERNON - By the time the Cornell Rams showed some life, their chances for a win were just about dead.

The late efforts weren't nearly enough to overcome early damage suffered and notch that first win of the season.

Cornell struggled for three quarters and fell behind by four scores, cutting into the lead but losing to Buena Vista, 26-14, in an Iowa Conference contest at Ash Park.

Rough starts have plagued the Rams, who outscored Luther last week 14-3 in the second half, but lost by three on a field goal in the final two minutes.

“We have to get off to a better start,” First-year Cornell Coach Vince Brautigam said. “That's been our achilles heel.”

The Rams were crippled but early mistakes, which included two interceptions in their first four possessions. The second put Cornell in a 14-0 hole when Buena Vista's Danny Pattee picked off Juan Flores' overthrown pass and cut to the right sideline 42 yards for a score with 3:30 to go in the first.

The Beavers, who enter the game second in the IIAC with nine interceptions, intercepted Flores on the first play of the Rams' second possession and finished with three in the game. The third came on the second play after halftime when Dalton Keane snatched his second interception, giving the Beavers the ball on the Cornell 45, which led to a Bo Darrow's 8-yard TD run for a 26-0 lead, capping an 11-play drive. Darrow also hit John Hill on a 22-yard TD pass to make it 7-0 in the first.

The turnovers appeared to be a combination of defensive pressure and a lack of execution.

“They were going through the right reads. They just hung the ball up too high and threw it to the wrong color jersey,” Brautigam said. “I thought they controlled the line of scrimmage. I don't think our quarterbacks had a ton of time to throw."

The Beavers (3-3, 2-2 IIAC) have relied on their defense this season and an advantage in experience worked in their favor to snap a two-game losing streak. They held Cornell to 24 rushing yards and 204 passing, with 185 after the half including 134 the final quarter.

“It's outstanding all year,” BV Coach Jay Anderson said. “A lot of our leadership and experience is on that side.”

The Rams rallied a bit in the fourth, scoring a pair of touchdowns. Andrew Burdick led Cornell 80 yards, connecting with Thomas Connor for a 55-yards TD to make it 26-7 with 11:17 to go. Burdick also capped a 75-yard drive with a 3-yard TD run to close within 12 with 1:16 left. Connor had 88 receiving yards on for catches and Burdick finished with 195 yards through the air.

The Rams recovered the ensuing onside kick, but turned it over on downs.

"“You have to give them credit,” Anderson said. “They hung in there and a lot of teams that young would have given up. Cornell kept fighting and played 60 full minutes.”

The Rams defense play well, holding BV to under 100 yards passing. Only one Beaver scoring drive started in their own territory - an 11-play, 70-yard drive resulting in a Marcus Spearman 10-yard TD run for a 20-0 lead in the second.

“The defense has bent a lot but hasn't broken,” Brautigam said. “I'm proud of their effort.”

Cornell dropped to 0-7 overall and 0-5 in the IIAC. Brautigam said offense, defense and special teams need to play more of a complete game to get rid of the goose egg in the win column.

“We have to learn how to win here at Cornell,” Brautigam said. “When there's a play to be made they have to be ready to make it and once we start doing that in all three phases we'll win.

“That's been the sore spot so far. We've had chances but we haven't had enough guys step up and make the big play in the big situation.”