Cornell lost a 13-point third-quarter lead as Josh Smith's third touchdown catch lifted Princeton to a 21-20 football victory Saturday at Princeton Stadium.
Smith caught an 8-yard pass from Ty Ciongoli with 1:33 remaining to cap the Tigers' comeback, according to Cornell Athletics. The Big Red fell to 3-4 overall and 1-3 in the Ivy League; Princeton improved to 5-2 and 3-1.
Blocked field goal opens door for Tigers
Cornell led 20-7 after Jordan Triplett's 7-yard touchdown run finished an eight-play, 75-yard drive to open the second half.
The Big Red defense then stopped Princeton on fourth-and-3 at the Cornell 11. But Cornell punted, and Wyatt Becker found Smith for a 53-yard touchdown with 4:02 left in the third quarter to make it 20-14.
Cornell moved 61 yards on its next possession before Triplett was stopped for a 1-yard loss on fourth-and-1 at the Princeton 24, on the first play of the fourth quarter.
The Big Red later reached the Princeton 32, but Caden Lesiewicz's 49-yard field-goal attempt was blocked with 4:07 remaining. Princeton took over and drove 68 yards in nine plays for the winning touchdown.
Garrett Bass-Sulpizio was intercepted on the first play of Cornell's final possession, and Princeton ran out the clock.
Cornell controls possession but cannot protect lead
Cornell held the ball for 39:09 and outgained Princeton 462-313. The Big Red led 27-15 in first downs, converted eight of 17 third downs and scored on all four red-zone trips.
Lesiewicz opened the scoring with a 29-yard field goal. Brendan Lee's 1-yard touchdown run finished a 22-play, 98-yard possession that consumed 12:05 and put Cornell ahead 10-0 with 1:56 left in the second quarter.
Princeton answered in 15 seconds on Ciongoli's 44-yard touchdown pass to Smith. Cornell then used 12 plays to set up Lesiewicz's 24-yard field goal as the half expired, taking a 13-7 lead into the break.
Bass-Sulpizio throws for 250 yards
Bass-Sulpizio completed 26 of 35 passes for 250 yards and added 27 rushing yards. Triplett carried 21 times for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Samuel Musungu caught five passes for 92 yards, including a 29-yard completion from Lee on a first-quarter trick play. Blaine Zoller had six catches for 53 yards, and Lee added two catches for 54 yards to his touchdown run.
Cornell limited Princeton to 14 rushing yards on 17 carries. Johnny Williamson, Cole Bennett and Anthony Atkins II each made four tackles.
Smith finished with four catches for 107 yards and three touchdowns. Josh Robinson caught 11 passes for 122 yards. Ciongoli threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns, while Becker added 124 passing yards and a score.
Cornell returns to Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca to host Penn on Saturday, Nov. 7. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. on ESPN+.
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