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Turnovers cost Rams in IIAC opener with Loras, 30-20
The Cornell Rams turned the ball over three times in the second half – two of which led to touchdowns – as Loras rallied for a 30-20 victory Saturday in the Iowa Conference opener for both teams at Ash Park Stadium.
The Rams (2-1 overall, 0-1 IIAC) suffered their first loss of the season after claiming a pair of one-point wins to open the year. Cornell dropped its 13 th consecutive game in IIAC play and 11 th straight to the Duhawks.
Cornell took a 20-15 lead when sophomore full back Mike Thompson ( Eaton, Colo./Windsor) scored from one yard out with 2 minutes, 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Duhawks regained the lead on Cornell’s next possession when Brock Hall returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown, putting the guests ahead 23-20 with 14:50 left in the fourth quarter. Loras tacked on an insurance touchdown with 7:13 remaining in the game.
The Rams offense, minus the three turnovers, moved the ball up and down the field most of the afternoon. Cornell outgained the Duhawks in total yards (477-369) and first downs (28-19). Junior running back Travion Hardman ( Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park River Forest) rushed for 111 yards on 14 carries (7.9 ypg), highlighted by a 15-yard scoring run which put the Rams ahead 7-6 midway through the second quarter.
Senior quarterback Anthony Kobler (Brentwood, Mo./Brentwood) rushed for 81 yards on 13 carries and completed 19-of-40 passes for 200 yards, including a 19-yard touchdown to Josh Youngblood (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) that gave the Rams a 14-6 lead with 2:00 remaining in the second quarter. Youngblood caught a team-high five passes for 64 yards.
Sophomore safety Don Bladt (Shelby/AHST) led Cornell’s defense with 13 tackles and an interception. Chris Gustafson ( Lakewood, Colo./Bear Creek) registered 10 tackles with 1.5 stops for losses. Jason Williams (Mount Vernon/Mount Vernon) finished with nine tackles.
The Rams are idle next week and play host to Luther at 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at Ash Park Stadium.
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