MANSFIELD – D.J. McLean and Chad Steinmetz each hauled in receiving touchdowns, but Mansfield's early lead slipped away in a 35-14 loss to Cornell for LUMA at Homecoming 2017 under the lights of Karl Van Norman Field Saturday.
 
In the first quarter, Kyle Post blocked a Cornell (2-0, 2-0 PSAC) punt to set the Mountaineers up on the opponent 19 yard line. Quarterback Nick Cherasaro connected with Steinmetz on third and goal from 12 yards out to give Mansfield (0-3, 0-3 CSFL) the early advantage.
 
Connor Ostrander passed for a touchdown then rushed for another on consecutive Cornell drives early in the second quarter to pull ahead with a 14-7 lead. The Big Red extended the lead just before halftime by forcing a fumble and converting with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jack Nicoletti.
 
On the opening drive of the second half, Dylan Flexer picked off a pass and returned it down to the Cornell 32 yard line. Running back Joe King rushed the ball for 26 yards down to the six before Adam Hutchison found McLean in the endzone two plays later to cut the Mountie deficit to 21-14.
 
The Big Red went on to score two more times to earn the 35-14 CSFL victory.
 
Post prevented another Cornell score in the fourth quarter with a blocked field goal, his second blocked kick of the day.
 
Kane Kania recorded 12 tackles with 10 solo including 2.5 tackles for loss with 1.5 sacks. Josh Friebis totaled eight tackles with Nicko Bryant Jr. adding seven.
 
The Mountaineers complete a three-game home stand next Saturday by hosting Chestnut Hill.