Cornell – Sacred Heart Game Notes

  • After playing three of its first four contests on the road, the Big Red will attempt to build momentum with four of its last six coming at Schoellkopf Field
  • The game will be broadcast on the Ivy League Digital Network, while local listeners can tune in to WHCU 95.9 FM/870 AM to listen to Barry Leonard and Jason Weinstein on the call.
  • Sacred Heart receiving 45 votes in the STATS FCS Top 25 poll this week to rank 31st overall. Cornell received two votes in the poll.
  • The Pioneers are looking to win their third Northeast Conference championship in the last four seasons

A Win Over Sacred Heart Would…

  • Even the Big Red’s record against the Pioneers at 1-1.
  • Extend Cornell’s home win streak to three games, its longest at Schoellkopf Field since a four-game win streak from 2011-12.
  • Make Cornell 3-2 all-time against members of the Northeast Conference.
  • Make Cornell 3-0 in non-league play for the first time since 2007, when it defeated Bucknell (38-14), Georgetown (45-7) and Colgate (17-14) and for just the fifth time since the Ivy League went to a 10-game schedule in 1980.
  • Improve Cornell to 4-1 in a season for the first time since 1999.
  • Avenge a 2015 loss for the fourth time this season.
  • Be the 635th in program history (13th-most in the Football Championship Subdivision).

Last Year vs. Sacred Heart

  • The two-time defending Northeast Conference champion Sacred Heart Pioneers limited Cornell to 280 yards of offense and used a handful of big plays on both sides of the ball to top the Big Red 31-6 at Campus Field.
  • RJ Noel was 15-of-22 passing for 270 yards and two touchdowns, with most of his looks going to Tyler Dube.
  • Dube hauled in nine passes for 202 yards and a touchdown and also threw a 1-yard scoring pass.
  • Nate Chavious ran for 76 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries to lead a balanced offense, but it was the Pioneers’ defense that made the difference.
  • After forcing eight turnovers a week ago in a win over Robert Morris, Sacred Heart was able to keep Cornell’s offense off schedule all day, posting 11 tackles for a loss of 64 yards to go along with five key penalties for 50 yards, to keep the Big Red at bay.
  • Sacred Heart’s James Rentz posted 11 tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and Connor Candito had 10 stops with 3.5 for a loss.
  • Cornell controlled time of possession, but big plays proved to be the difference.
  • Running back Josh Sweet, in relief of senior Luke Hagy, registered a career-high 80 rushing yards and a touchdown.
  • Hagy did become the seventh player in school history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark in his career with his lone carry in the first quarter.