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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Cornell Outlasts Mounties 35-26 in CSFL Finale

ITHACA, N.Y. – A roughing the kicker penalty following a missed 43-yard Cornell field goal midway through the fourth quarter helped turn a 21-20 Big Red lead into a 35-20 advantage as Mansfield dropped a 35-26 hard-fought decision in a CSFL season finale for both teams Friday night.

Mansfield opened the scoring when sophomore Charles Gruver intercepted a pass at the 50-yard line on Cornell's opening drive and returned it to the Cornell 37. Jeremy Estremera, who was named CSFL Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in last week's win over Franklin Pierce, ran for 16-yards on the first play and followed it up with a 21-yard touchdown scamper to give Mansfield a 6-0 lead early in the first quarter after the Mountaineers missed the extra point.

After holding Cornell to a three-and-out, Mansfield went on a 12-play 64-yard scoring driven kept alive my two fourth down conversions – one a 2-yard rush by quarterback Ben Pepper on a 4th and 1 and 6-yard pass from Pepper to Estremera on a 4th and 3 from at the Cornell 23-yard line.

Estremera scored his second touchdown of the night on the next play with an 18-yard run. Mansfield converted on the extra-point to take a 13-0 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter.

Cornell took the ensuing kickoff and used a 10-play drive capped off with a 18-yard touchdown reception by Spenser Gruenenfelder from quarterback Brandon Miller on the first play of the second quarter to close the gap to 13-7.

Mansfield came right back on its next possession, driving 60-yards on 11-plays with Estremera pulling down a 7-yard touchdown pass from Pepper to a 20-7 Mansfield lead midway through the second quarter.

Cornell answered again, driving 67-yards on four plays with Abe Mellinger pulling in a 32-yard scoring pass from Miller to close to 20-14.

Mansfield opened the second half by pooch kicking the kickoff and it looked as if the Mountaineers may have recovered but Cornell was awarded the ball and going 57-yards on seven plays and taking a 21-20 lead on a 20-yard pass from Miller to Gruenenfelder.

The score remain that way until Cornell's John Rodriguez tried a 43-yard field goal that hit the crossbar and bounded into the field. A penalty on Mansfield for roughing the kicker led to a 9-yard scoring run by Miller increasing Cornell's the lead to 28-20.

Cornell added another score four minute later when Nick Perez ran it in from 1-yard out giving Cornell a 35-20 advantage.

Mansfield came right back mounting a 10-play, 80-yard drive with freshman Casey Huff catching a 14-yard touchdown pass from Pepper to pull to 35-26 with 36 seconds remaining.

But Mansfield's extra-point attempt went wide right and Cornell ran out the clock to preserve the win.

Pepper had his second solid game at quarterback completing 16-of-36 passes for 191-yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 22-yards.

Estremera ran for 85-yards on 20 carries including two touchdowns while David Wallace caught six passes for 71-yards.

Jake Myers led the defensive effort with a game high nine tackles including a sack while Mike Wang and Cody Croasdale each had seven stops in their final collegiate game.

Mansfield racked up 298-yards in total offense to Cornell's 359 yards. Miller completed 19-of-32 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Cornell offense.

Mansfield ends the season with a 2-5 overall record while Cornell closes out with a 4-3 mark.