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Resilient Rams take 2-0 mark into IIAC opener with Loras

What can Cornell’s football team do for an encore? Surely not another hold-your-breath, close-your-eyes finish for the third week in a row? Probably not. Home fans, be prepared in case.

The Rams (2-0) carry confidence from two wacky wins into Saturday’s Iowa Conference opener against the Loras Duhawks (1-1) at Ash Park Stadium. Cornell seeks a long-awaited IIAC victory and its first 3-0 start to a season since 2001.

Recent history hasn’t served the Rams well during IIAC play. Cornell has lost 12 consecutive games against conference foes and dropped 22 of the last 24 league contests since 2004. The Duhawks have won the last 10 meetings with Cornell and hold a 10-3 edge in the series.

“We’ve got to prove that we can compete in this league,” second-year head coach Matt Dillon said. “We’re in the same position (at 2-0) as we were a year ago. Are we better than a year ago? Absolutely. We’ve got to take care of our home field and send a message that we can compete.”

Cornell squeaked past Northwestern, 31-30, in the Sept. 1 opener thanks to a blocked extra point – following a 15-minute delay caused by the field’s sprinkler system – by Chris Gustafson (Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek) with less than a minute to play. The Rams escaped their Sept. 8 home opener with a 35-34 victory after safety Don Bladt (Shelby/AHST) pounced on an Alma fumble at Cornell’s 8-yard line with four seconds left to play.

This marks the first time in school history the Rams have scored one-point wins in consecutive weeks.

Senior quarterback Anthony Kobler ( Brentwood, Mo./Brentwood) capped a career day last week with a 52-yard touchdown strike to Kyle Krogmann (DeWitt/Northeast) with 1 minute, 39 seconds remaining, followed by the game-winning extra point from kicker Adam Culberson (Montevallo, Ala./School of Math and Science). Kobler passed for a career-high 391 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 86 yards and a touchdown.

Loras took a 21-14 victory over the Rams last year in Dubuque. The Rams won statistical battles in total yards, first downs and time of possession, but committed four costly turnovers.

Loras is coming off its first win of the season, a 31-23 home decision over St. Thomas ( Minn.) last weekend. The Duhawks are led by senior all-conference linebacker Brock Hall (22 tackles, 4 TFL in two games) and returning quarterback Matt McLaughlin (1,654 yards, 8 TDs in 2006) on each side of the ball.

“They have an experienced defensive line and several playmakers on the defensive side of the ball,” Dillon said.

King Kobler – Kobler was named Iowa Conference Male Athlete of the Week for the period ending Sept. 9. He averaged a whopping 21.7 yards per completion against Alma. Kobler threatened Cornell’s single-game passing yards mark of 425, set by Chuck Hooker against Illinois College in 1985.

“Kobler had one of the best games by a quarterback in Cornell history,” said Dillon, a two-time All-American quarterback himself at Cornell from 1977-80.

Catch and run – Cornell seniors Josh Youngblood (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) and Krogmann each enjoyed career receiving days against Alma. Youngblood hauled in six passes for a career-high 191 yards, highlighted by an 88-yard touchdown reception. He topped the 1,000-yard receiving mark for his career, now with 86 catches for 1,187 yards. Krogmann set a personal best with 161 receiving yards on a team-high eight receptions.

Waiting since 1939 – It’s been nearly 70 years since Cornell beat Loras in football, dating back to a 20-0 decision by Coach Richard Barker’s squad in 1939. Eight of Loras’ last 10 wins over Cornell have been decided by 13 points or less.

Day OK – Cornell starting nose guard Jeremy Day ( Carrollton, Texas/Creekview) sustained a neck injury during the second half of last week’s contest. The senior was carted off the field and air-flighted to University of Iowa Hospitals after losing feeling in his arms and hands. Day, diagnosed with a strained ligament in his neck, has regained all feeling and said he could be back on the playing field in 3-4 weeks.

Block party – Gustafson blocked an extra point after Alma’s first touchdown last week. It was the third PAT he has blocked in two games this season. The Rams blocked six kicks in 2006.

IIAC rankings – Kobler leads the league in total offense with 349.0 yards per game. Gustafson ranks third in tackles per game at 13.0. Cornell averages 472.0 yards of total offense, third in the conference.

ACE (attitude, character, effort (awards) – Defense: Zach Zasada ( Sauk City, Wis./Sauk Prairie); Offense: Kobler; Special Teams: Culberson; Scout Team Defense: Nick Fransioli ( Colorado Springs, Colo./Roy T. Wasson); Scout Team Offense: Matt Fransioli ( Colorado Springs, Colo./Coronado).

Golden klutz award – The Rams were featured on KCRG-Channel 9’s Golden Klutz awards Sunday with a clip from Cornell’s sprinkler-delayed victory at Northwestern Sept. 1.