ITHACA, N.Y. – Jake Stearney threw four touchdown passes and Colgate's defense turned in four interceptions, including a pick six from
Trooper Price, to lead Colgate Football past Cornell 41-21 on Saturday afternoon at Schoellkopf Stadium.
In the 106th meeting between the CNY rivals, Colgate took the lead for the first time ever in the series. The Raiders now hold the slim edge 52-51-3 in the head-to-head series that began in 1896, extending their win streak against the Big Red to three games.
Stearney connected with nine different receivers, finishing 16-for-25 for 206 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. His first two TDs found Treyvhon Saunders, who now has six touchdown receptions and led the receiving core with six receptions for 91 yards.
Reece Allan, Dane Picariello, and Christian Magliacano had eight tackles apiece to lead the defense. Price (2), Justyn Toler, and Kenny Langston provided Colgate's second four-interception game of the season (Monmouth), while Danny Norocea nabbed the Raiders' lone sack.
First Quarter
- On Cornell's first play from scrimmage, Toler intercepted Devin Page's pass at Cornell's 40-yard line, setting up a short drive for the Raiders.
- Stearney immediately connected with Saunders for a 22-yard score in the corner of the end zone. The Raiders never looked back, and added seven more on another Stearney-to-Saunders connection, this time a 12-yard dart following Price's first interception in Cornell territory.
- Cornell managed a couple of first downs, including a 20-yard rush by Ricardo Lagares Jr., but couldn't capitalize, ending the quarter with the Raiders in front 14-0.
Second Quarter
- Cornell initiated a drive with Garrett Bass-Sulpizio connecting with Ryder Kurtz for 14 yards, setting up a 13-yard touchdown pass to Doryn Smith two minutes into the second quarter.
- Stearney responded by directing a 62-yard drive, culminating in a two-yard touchdown flip to Mason Mozo extending the lead to 21-6 at at 7:42.
- Price's second interception started with pressure up front. The captain linebacker swallowed up the pass and raced 43 yards untouched to paydirt, extending Colgate's lead to 28-6 at halftime.
Third Quarter
- Danny Shaban launched a promising drive with a 57-yard rush to Cornell's eight-yard line on Colgate's first possession of the second half, but a fumble in the backfield led to a 94-yard touchdown drive for the Big Red, who narrowed the gap to 28-13.
- Cornell was suddenly riding high on momentum – scoring again on a one-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit to 28-21.
- Colgate, clinging to a 28-21 margin after three quarters, was limited to two first downs in the frame.
Fourth Quarter
- Colgate took control in the fourth quarter, outscoring Cornell 13-0 in the final 15 minutes. The Raiders opened the stanza with a dynamic drive, and facing 3rd-and-7, Stearney found Max Walters wide open on a slant for a 21-yard TD strike at 10:59, extending the Raiders' lead to 34-21.
- Cornell advanced to Colgate's five-yard line but the Raiders' defensive stand of the game came on 4th-and-4, stopping Garrett Bass-Sulpizio one yard shy and forcing a turnover on downs.
- Kenny Langston iced the game with Colgate's fourth interception – setting up Cole Fulton's 19-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds remaining to put the game away, 41-21.
NOTES
- In a head-to-head series that began in 1896, Colgate took the lead for the first time, 52-51-3 with its third consecutive win over its CNY rival dating back to 2019.
- The Raiders picked up their first road victory since Nov. 4, 2023, at Lafayette (37-34).
- Colgate now has back-to-back wins for the first time since November 2023.
- Trooper Price's pick-six was Colgate's first interception returned for a touchdown since Owen Goss took it 59 yards to the end zone against Georgetown in November 2023.
- Jake Stearney's four touchdown passes eclipsed his previous career high of three TDs in a win at Lafayette in November 2023.
- Treyvhon Saunders came in leading the FCS in receptions per game (10.75) and receiving yards per game (147.8), and 12th in touchdowns (4). He finished with nine catches for 91 yards and two TDs. His two touchdown receptions tied a career high.
- Danny Shaban's 11 rushing attempts and 91 yards were a career high.
- Trooper Price's two interceptions were the first two picks of his collegiate career.
- Reece Allan had his first collegiate interception to go along with a career-high eight tackles.
- Max Walters caught the first touchdown of his Colgate career.
UP NEXT
Colgate (2-3, 1-0 Patriot) carries momentum into next Saturday when the Raiders return home to host Richmond (3-3, 0-2 Patriot) in Patriot League action. Kickoff from Andy Kerr Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
