Cornell sprint football could not build on a tying touchdown late in the first half, allowing 14 unanswered points after halftime in a 21-7 loss to Molloy Friday night at Schoellkopf Field.
Jalen Gordon carried 29 times for 159 yards, including the go-ahead 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Both teams finished the night 2-4, according to Cornell's game recap and box score.
Cornell answers before halftime
The Big Red's first four possessions ended in three-and-outs, producing 19 yards and no first downs. Molloy broke the scoreless tie with 6:07 left in the second quarter when quarterback A. Caliendo found James Lipetri for a 6-yard touchdown.
Cornell answered with an 11-play, 75-yard drive. Beck Berry connected with Coop Patterson for 32 yards to the Molloy 17 before finding Andrew Lay for a 5-yard touchdown with 1:09 left in the half. Miles Mariani's extra point tied the game at 7-7.
Berry completed 13 of 23 passes for 113 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Patterson caught four passes for 55 yards. Lay ran 14 times for 52 yards and added three catches for 27 yards and the touchdown.
Gordon's long run puts Molloy ahead
Molloy opened the second half with an eight-play, 69-yard drive, capped by Gordon's 44-yard run with 10:26 left in the third quarter.
A Cornell fumble gave the Lions another possession at midfield, but the Big Red defense kept the deficit at seven. Carson Ciaio blocked a 29-yard field-goal attempt, and Thomas Shegogue recovered at the Cornell 12.
Molloy scored on its next full drive, moving 70 yards in eight plays. Caliendo's 36-yard completion to Gordon helped set up a 3-yard touchdown run by P. von Schoener with 12:36 remaining.
Cornell's comeback chances ended with two fourth-quarter interceptions, one by John Zarnowski and the other by JoJo Spano. After forcing a fourth-down stop, the Big Red reached the Molloy 41 but turned the ball over on downs with 2:25 left.
Defense makes stops as offense struggles
Shegogue and Jason Milo each made 14 tackles for Cornell, and Alex Triplett added 10. The Big Red lost the turnover battle 3-0.
Molloy outgained Cornell 346-201 and held the ball for 36 minutes, 46 seconds. Caliendo completed 14 of 17 passes for 136 yards and a touchdown. The Lions converted 6 of 15 third downs, compared with Cornell's 3 of 12, and were penalized eight times for 55 yards.
Cornell travels to Army West Point on Friday, Nov. 6.
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