Colgate dominates Cornell with strong ground game in season opener
- Colgate amassed 270 rushing yards, with Michael Brescia scoring two touchdowns.
- The Raiders took control of the game after trailing 17-10, with key plays from Brescia and other runners.
- Colgate's strong performance led to a 41-24 victory over Cornell in their season opener.
In a decisive season opener on Saturday, Colgate faced Cornell in Hamilton, N.Y., where they showcased a powerful ground game. Michael Brescia was a standout performer, rushing for two touchdowns and contributing significantly to Colgate's total of 270 rushing yards. The game saw a shift in momentum when Brescia executed a 44-yard touchdown run, bringing Colgate back from a 17-10 deficit. This was followed by another touchdown from Brescia just before halftime, solidifying Colgate's lead. Chris Gee, Marco Maldonado, and Winston Moore also made notable contributions to the rushing attack, with Maldonado scoring a touchdown and Moore adding another. Quarterback Jake Stearney complemented the ground game with a solid passing performance, throwing for 184 yards and a touchdown. The Raiders maintained control of the game after taking the lead, demonstrating a balanced offensive strategy. On the other side, Cornell's Jameson Wang had a strong performance, completing 29 of 37 passes for 313 yards and three touchdowns. Despite his efforts, including a touchdown pass to Samuel Musungu that initially put Cornell ahead, the Big Red could not maintain their lead against Colgate's relentless offense. The final score of 41-24 reflects Colgate's dominance in both rushing and overall gameplay, marking a successful start to their season. This victory sets a positive tone for Colgate as they look to build on this momentum in upcoming games.