Bison Football secured a 21-13 victory this weekend over Cornell. Despite trailing 3-0 early on, the Orange and Blue were able to make a comeback after scoring touchdowns in the second, third and fourth quarters.
Coleman Bennett ’24 played a large role in the win, having rushed for 157 yards on 29 carries. This was the most rushing yards in a game by a Bison since 2017, when Chad Freshnock ’19 gained 174. His carries were also the most since 2016. Bennett’s longest rush set up the Bison’s first touchdown in the second quarter.
Rushawn Baker ’25 also had an impressive game with 21 tough yards and a touchdown, and quarterback Ralph Rucker ’26 scored the other rushing touchdown.
When Rucker left the game in the late third quarter, backup quarterback Nick Semptimphelter ’24 stepped up, leading a 9-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in a 6-yard touchdown pass to Damian Harris ’24, securing the Orange and Blue a 21-13 lead.
Cornell was able to regain a lead in the second half; however, it didn’t last long because the Bison responded in the third quarter with a 39-yard pass completion from Rucker to Derrick Anderson Jr. ’26, setting the Bison up at the 6-yard line, eventually resulting in Baker scoring his rushing touchdown three plays later.
On the defensive side, Tyler Alston ’24 led the Bison with eight tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. And following that, Deuce Geter ’27 and Chris Sims ’25 had seven tackles each.
This win brought the Bison’s record to 2-4.
Bison Football hopes to continue a win-streak, facing off against Lehigh at home this weekend.
