MANSFIELD – The Mansfield University sprint football team will celebrate the 125^th anniversary of Mansfield, Pa. hosting the World's First Night Football Game by taking on Cornell University for LUMA at Homecoming 2017 on Saturday, Sept. 30.
 
In 1892, just one year after forming it's first football team, a group of students from then Mansfield State Normal School hosted Wyoming Seminary under newly invented electric light at Smythe Park in downtown Mansfield. Mansfield is recognized by the Pro Football and College Football Halls of Fame as the Birthplace of Night Football.
 
The annual LUMA celebration, or Light Up Mansfield Again, began in 2013 when Mansfield played its first home night football game in 121 years under newly constructed permanent lighting at Karl Van Norman Field. 6,233 fans witnessed Mansfield defeat Princeton 24-14 in the inaugural LUMA game.
 
Four-time Super Bowl Champion Franco Harris and other guests of honor will help flip the switch to turn the lights on at Van Norman Field at 7:10 p.m. prior to the 7:30 p.m. kick-off against Cornell. The Mansfield University Homecoming King and Queen will be crowned at halftime followed by a performance by the marching band then a fireworks show. For a full listing of events, visit Mansfield.edu/Homecoming.
 
The game will be streamed live on Mountie All-Access to any computer or mobile device free of charge. Fans can also watch the action on the PSAC Network apps available on AppleTV, Roku, Amazon FireTV, and Google Play.
 
Mansfield (0-2, 0-2 CSFL) opened the season with a tough 24-21 loss on the road at Franklin Pierce, then trailed Navy by just three points in the fourth quarter before falling 41-14 last Saturday. Cornell (1-0, 1-0 CSFL) had a week one bye then opened the season with a 48-20 win over CSFL newcomer Caldwell University last week.
 
Freshman quarterback Nick Cherasaro has totaled 396 passing yards and a touchdown through the first two games of the season. His favorite target D.J. McLean has 11 receptions for 192 yards with his touchdown catch going for 72 yards against Franklin Pierce. David Butler leads all rushers with 113 yards and three scores.
 
Defensively, Josh Friebis leads the Mountaineers in total tackles and solo tackles with 19 and 14 respectively. Senior Kyle Post is right behind him with 17 tackles and last game became the all-time sprint football program record holder in solo tackles with 101.
 
The Big Red are led by running back Will Griffen who rushed for 88 yards and three touchdowns in last week's win over Caldwell. Griffen was named CSFL Offensive Player of the Week for his performance. Cornell had three players register double-digit tackles last week in Amanze Udebiuwa, Dominic LaBell, and Kenneth Fest.
 
Mansfield completes a three-game home stand next Saturday by hosting Chestnut Hill at Van Norman Field.