Rams hang on for first IIAC win

Cornell's Connor brothers, senior Thomas and freshman Brit, combined for three touchdowns receptions and quarterback Juan Flores amassed 400 yards of total offense as the Rams claimed a 19-17 Iowa Conference win over Loras Saturday afternoon at Ash Park Stadium.

The Rams (3-5 overall, 1-5 IIAC) took a 19-10 lead into the fourth quarter and held on from there. Cornell survived a pair of lost fumbles and a missed field goal by Loras (1-7, 0-6) in a topsy-turvy final five minutes of regulation. The Rams celebrated their first conference win since beating the Duhawks, 23-16, in the 2009 home finale.

Cornell's offense rolled up a season-high 451 total yards, the most important chunk provided by Flores with less than two minutes to go. Facing a third-and-4 at the Loras 42, Flores dashed up the middle for a 19-yard gain and the Rams were able to run out the rest of the clock.

Flores completed 23-of-34 passes for a career-high 338 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the ground game with 62 yards on 11 carries.

Thomas Connor finished with four catches for 67 yards and a pair of touchdowns. His 14-yard grab put the Rams ahead 7-3 with 9:59 left in the second quarter, a lead Cornell took into intermission.

The Rams carried momentum into the third quarter, sparked by a 32-yard kickoff return by Thomas Connor to open the second half. Cornell marched 53 yards on three plays, capped by a 33-yard touchdown reception by Thomas Connor that gave the Rams a 13-3 cushion.

After Loras cut the margin to 13-10, Cornell answered with a 70-yard scoring drive late in the third quarter. This time it was Brit Connor on the receiving end of an 8-yard scoring strike from Flores Cornell's two-point conversion failed, putting the score at 19-10 with 1:21 to go in the third quarter.

The Duhawks missed a chance to draw closer when a 33-yard field goal attempt went wide left with 4:56 remaining in the game. On the ensuing drive, Cornell freshman Preston Ritchie broke loose for a 73-yard catch and run, but had the ball stripped and Loras regained possession - momentarily.

On the next play, sophomore linebacker Geoffrey Miller intercepted a Duhawk pass and returned it 10 yards to the Loras 25. But two plays later, Cornell fumbled the ball back to the Duhawks. Loras capitalized with a quick touchdown drive of 81 yards and four plays to slice the lead to 19-17 with 2:04 to go.

Loras' ensuing onside kick went out of bounds. Flores then finished off his big day with three more rushes for 25 yards and a pair of kneel downs, helping the Rams end a five-game losing skid.

Brit Connor posted a team-high five receptions for 59 yards. James Scully had four receptions for 44 yards, and Justin Cox four catches for 40 yards. Ritchie totaled 82 yards on two receptions.

Cornell's defense held the Duhawks to 2-of-14 on third-down situations. Senior Tyler Bailey led the unit with 10 tackles, including 1.5 for losses. Alex Latow and Geoffrey Miller had nine tackles apiece. Freshman tackle TJ Gray was in on six tackles, including two quarterback sacks.

The Rams are back home Saturday, Nov. 5 for a 1 p.m. kickoff against Luther (2-6, 2-4). The Norse were shut out 45-0 at the University of Dubuque Saturday.