The Ithaca Journal from Ithaca, New York • 17

The Ithaca Journal Monday, November 17, 2003 Sports 5B Local Colleges Cornell Men's Frastratioe coetinoes for Cornell Cornell Football Big Red loses eighth straight downs came with 3:09 remaining in the third quarter. Quarterback D.J. Busch burned a Columbia blitz, hitting Trent Carvolth on a crossing pattern that resulted in a 45-yard touchdown. Then with 5:10 remaining in the fourth quarter, Josh Johnston bulled his way in from 2 yards out to cap a nine-play, 76-yard drive, getting the Big Red within six points. With Cornell players and fans sensing comeback, it looked certain that the Big Red would get another chance to score.

Columbia took possession after the kickoff on its own 29-yard line. On first down, Cornell senior Ryan Lempa tackled Lions' running back Ayo Oluwole for a two-yard loss. Then senior Kevin Rooney bat yard field goal from Nick Rudd for a 20-7 halftime lead. "We are noUhe type of team that can turn the ball over four times, especially critical times of the game," said Busch. "We have been playing behind all year.

I don't even know what it feels like to be playing with a lead. It wears on us. It is getting old. Every week it is the same thing. We went out there, made mistakes." Busch, making his fourth start of the season in replacement of the injured Mick Razzano, had his best game statistically with the Big Red, throwing for 312 yards while completing 25-of-40 attempts.

When Cornell did not turn the ball over, it moved the ball, producing 452 yards of total offense, 84 yards more than Columbia. "Our game plan was to trade short completions for headaches," said Columbia coach Bob Shoop. "Not allow the big play. Hit Busch as often as we could after he threw the ball. Hopefully it would take its toll.

(Busch) did a great job trying to bring his team back." But it was the Lions who made the most big plays. Cornell had a chance to get back in the game early in the third quarter after Otis was picked off by Big Red linebacker Dan Collins on the Columbia 24-yard line. But Cornell came away empty as A.J. Weitsman pushed a 26-yard field goal attempt wide right. On the Big Red's next possession, Busch threw his second interception of the game, picked off by Stephen McCoy, "That was just a hot read that I missed," Busch said.

"I should have thrown it away." Columbia again capitalized, driving 19 yards and scoring as Otis again found Fletcher from 7 yards out, making the score 27-7. Note: Cornell's game at Penn will be televised live on the YES Network. The game begins at 4 p.m. Saturday's game: Columbia 34, Cornell 21 Record: 1-8, 0-6 Next game: Saturday at Penn and it was recovered by Columbia kicker Eric Ledbetter on the Cornell 42. It took just four plays for the Lions to capitalize as Otis tossed a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end Wade Fletcher for a 7-0 lead.

After an exchange of punts, the Big Red took possession on its own 14-yard line. On first down, with Busch in the shotgun, the snap from center went over his head. Busch recovered the ball on the second bounce in the end zone. With pressure coming, he turned and heaved the ball blindly downfield, and it was easily intercepted by Steve Cargile, who returned the ball to the Cornell 13. This time, Columbia settled for a field goal and a 10-0 advantage.

Cornell made it 10-7 after a 12-play, 71-yard drive, capped by a 7-yard touchdown run by Josh Johnston (21 carries, 81 yards), and aided by a roughing the kicker penalty on the Lions. Then the Lions showed they could score without benefit of a turnover, needing just three plays to go 59 yards, including a 21-yard run by Oluwole, and a 35-yard touchdown bomb to a wide-open Chmelka. Late in the first quarter, it was 17-7. It seemed the Big Red's turn to score midway through the second quarter, as Cornell marched 70 yards to the Columbia 10. But Busch fumbled the snap from center and the ball was recovered by the Lions' Mike Quarshie.

Columbia responded with an 11-play, 63-yard drive that set up a 43- By CHRISTOPHER FEAVER Journal Staff ITHACA Aseasonoffrustra-Jion for the Cornell football team became even more frustrating Saturday when it dropped its final home game of the season, and its eighth in a row, falling to Columbia 34-21. I As has often been the case this j'ear, the Big Red was its own worst enemy. On senior day in front of 4,242 fans at Schoellkopf Field, jtornell turned the ball over four limes, including twice on its first six pffensive touches, leading to 24 Lions' points. With one game remaining in the Reason Saturday, Nov. 22 at tindefeated Penn Cornell (1-8 overall, 0-6 Ivy) is on the brink of 'the first nine-loss season in school history.

Whether it beats Penn or pot, the Big Red will finish alone in last place in the Ivy League for the first time since 1975. The last time Cornell won just pne game in a season was in 1977. "We dug ourselves a pretty big in the first half," said Cornell jcoach Tim Pendergast. "And most pf it, unfortunately, came by way of turnovers. We turned the ball over three times in the first half that led scores.

thought the vast majority of the second half, we had some things going, but because we had such a deficit coming out of the first half, it was tough to come back. We kept 'trying. We didn't lay down." Indeed, after Columbia took advantage of the Big Red's fourth turnover to take a 27-7 lead with 4:57 remaining in the third quarter, Cornell scored two touchdowns to make it 27-21 with plenty of time remaining. The first of those two Red touch 'We dug ourselves a pretty big hole in the first half. And most of it, unfortunately, came by way of Tim Pendergast, Cornell coach said Cornell safety Neil Morrissey, who once again had a monster game for Cornell, leading the team with 13 tackles, including nine solo tackles.

"I knew when I saw it, that that was the route that could beat us in that situation. "Give (Chmelka) credit for catching it. That was a tough ball. Somebody has to take it upon themselves to make a play in that situation and they did and we didn't." Otis threw for 199 yards on the game, 71 below his average. But the Lions rushed for 169 yards, including 138 yards on 27 carries by Oluwole.

Columbia (4-5, 3-3) took advantage of Big Red turnovers throughout the game, scoring on all four of its possessions following the turnovers, and going 4-for-5 in the red zone. The Big Red was not as effective in scoring situations, going 2-for-5 in the red zone. "The opportunities in the red zone, we didn't come away with enough points. That hurt a lot," Pendergast said. "Any time you can't put the ball in when you are 10 yards away, 20 yards away, that's a problem.

And to Columbia's credit, they put the ball away four out of five times." The Cornell turnovers began on the opening kickoff when Andre Hardaway lost the ball on the return Special teams play a key role in Jug game Hockey Saturday's Game: Cornell 2, St. Lawrence 1 Record: 3-1-2, 3-0-1 ECAC Next game: Friday vs. Brown, 7 p.m. at Lynah Rink Big Red tops Saints From Journal Staff Reports CANTON Cornell sophomore Cam Abbott scored what proved to be the game-winning goal late in the second period, and freshman goalkeeper David McKee made 27 saves as the Big Red men's hockey team defeated St. Lawrence 2-1 at Appleton Arena.

Abbott's goal at 14:40 of the second period, off assists from Jeremy Downs and Chris Abbott, helped rally the Big Red and keep it undefeated in Eastern College Athletic Conference. Cornell improved to 3-1-2, 3-0-1 on the season. St. Lawrence (3-7-3) took a 1-0 lead early in the game when John Zeiler scored for the Saints. McKee appeared to control the loose puck high in his glove hand, but Zeiler knocked it loose and into the net at 1:26 of the first period.

Cornell answered back nearly 10 minutes later when Matt Moulson finished off some nice teamwork to tie the game at 1. Ryan Vesce won a faceoff back to Charlie Cook, who passed to Moulson in front of the net. Moulson's second effort got past St. Lawrence goalie Mike McKenna at 11:25 of the first. Both teams had several power- play opportunities for more offense throughout the game, but neither was able to capitalize on its chances.

Cornell had four straight power-play chances early in the game, and the two times to go 0-for-9 on the extra-man advantage. Late in the third period, St. Lawrence's Mike Madill took an interference penalty, and McKenna was pulled shortly thereafter to try to tie the game. But the Saints couldn't get the puck past McKee and the Big Red defense. Cornell hosts Bowling Green at 7 p.m.

Friday at Lynah Rink. NCAA- (Continued from Page 4B) nals before falling to Rowan, 48-0. Ithaca is making its 14th appearance in the NCAA playoffs and has won three national titles, the last coming in 1991. The Bombers were selected as one of the six 'Class B' bids, which go to teams that are independents or are members of conferences that do not get automatic bids. Ithaca's opponent, Brockport (9-1), also received an at-large as an independent.

It's the second meeting this season between the schools. Ithaca handed the Golden Eagles their only loss this season, defeating Brockport 31-10 on Oct. 18 at Butterf ield Stadium. In that game, the Bombers recovered from an early 10-0 deficit behind the arm of Josh Felicetti, who threw three touchdown passes. Ithaca's defense held Brockport to 162 yards of total offense.

"We get one of our Upstate New York rivals," Welch said. "It should be an exciting game for Upstate New York." Saturday's winner will face either No. 7 Allegheny (7-3) or No. 2 Montclair State (8-1) on Nov 29. Springfield received the No.

1 seed in the region and has a first-round bye. The Pride which defeated Ithaca 51-22 on Oct. 4 will face either No. 4 Curry or No. 5 RPI on Nov.

29. "(The players) are excited," Welch said. "I talked to the captains. It's been a little bit of a roller coaster ride with the end of (Saturday's) game and then (Sunday). It worked out and now we're moving forward." Note: Tickets for Saturday's game will be sold by Brockport on the day of the game (gates open at 10:30 a.m.; no advance-sale tickets will be sold) for $8 (adults) and $4 (students).

HOW TO CALL THE JOURNAL NEWS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 272- 2321; before 8 and atter 5, Z4-9231 SPORTS: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 272-2321; before 8 and after 5, 274-9214 CIRCULATION: 24 hours a day, 274-9290 ADTRT1SING: Before 5 p.m., 272-2321; after 5, 274-9237 CLASSIFIED ADS: 24 hours a day, 272-9300 DEATH NOTICES: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., 272-9300 ted down a Jeff Otis pass, setting up third-and-12 with 4:20 remaining and getting the home fans on their feet. But Otis rolled out and drilled a pass to diving wide receiver Travis Chmelka, converting a 20-yard gain.

That Pendergast took the air out of Cornell's sails, and the Lions would complete the drive five plays later with an Otis 1-yard bootleg touchdown run to make the score 34-21, wrapping up the game. "We were in four-minute mode, trying to milk the play clock down every play," said Otis of the final drive. "Once we got the third-and-long situation, we just called a play to get it to one of our most explosive players. The defense gave us kind of what we were looking for." "Our deep safety was there, over the top and that ball slid in there," was a big part of the game," Ithaca coach Mike Welch said. Ithaca's Matt Tosh had the first big special teams play of the game.

Trailing 3-0 in the second quarter, he took a punt down the right side of the field and went 47 yards to Cortland's 27. A late-hit penalty tacked on 13 more yards, giving Ithaca the ball at the Red Dragon's 14. The Bombers eventually scored a touchdown, but couldn't convert on the extra point, as holder Peter Mayer took a bad snap and fell short in his attempt to run it in. in 8 minutes, 6 seconds, and DeCamp kicked a low liner just over the crossbar for a 28-yard field goal to give Cortland a 3-0 lead at the end of the one quarter. The Bombers' special teams then made a contribution of its own, as Matt Tosh took a punt down the right side of the field and went 47 yards to Cortland's 27.

A late-hit penalty tacked on 13 more yards, giving Ithaca the ball at the Red Dragon's 14. Three plays later, Ithaca sophomore quarterback Josh Felicetti took a snap from the shotgun, faked a handoff and ran 12 yards for a touchdown. The Bombers failed to convert on the extra-point, as holder Peter Mayer took a bad snap and fell short in his attempt to run it in, and Ithaca had a 6-3 lead with 8:48 to go in the second quarter. Cortland's Will Groff fielded the ensuing kickoff, dropped it, and then scooped it up again and went 84 yards down the right side to Ithaca's 2. Only a diving tackle by Jeff Welch saved a touchdown.

"I think their kickoff return was a huge play," Welch said. "We had scored and then they came back and the momentum changed quickly." Two plays later, Chris Stalker plowed through for a 2-yard score, I I' Zj By LaMOND POPE Journal Staff ITHACA In Cortaca Jug lore, Cortland State fans will call it "The Kick." Ithaca College fans will probably have a different name for it. Regardless of its title, Ryan DeCamp's 26-yard field goal as time expired not only helped the Red Dragons retain the Jug, it also ended the Bombers' 12-game home winning streak. Both squads had special teams moments that determined the outcome of Saturday's thrilling 16-15 Cortland win. "(The special teams) had its advantages and disadvantages.

It Cortaca Continued from Page 4B) J)n Sunday. The Bombers are the No. 6 seed in the East Region and will travel to No. 3 Brockport for a first-round playoff game at noon next Saturday at Bob Boozer Field. "It's been a little bit of a roller coaster ride with the end of (Saturday's) game and then Sunday)," Welch said after learning of the NCAA berth.

"It worked out and now we're moving forward." Less than 24 hours earlier, the Bombers were in a slightly different ihood. Fans lined up three and four deep along the track surrounding the playing field at Butterfield Stadium in anticipation for the 45th annual Jug game. The previous four contests had been decided by less than a touchdown, and despite the teams' Records, most expected another close contest. They wouldn't be disappointed. Cortland (54) utilized a strong ground game to chew up yards, take time off the clock and keep the ball out of Ithaca's hands.

The Red Dragons went 70 yards all but 15 'pf which came on running plays 3:28 to go. There was still plenty of time for the Red Dragons to get into field-goal position, setting the stage for DeCamp's final kick. "I didn't look at the scoreboard before I kicked it. I didn't want to. I didn't want the image in my mind," DeCamp said.

"I didn't want any kind of nerves to distract me from what I needed to do. I didn't look, but I knew what the situation was and I knew I needed to make it. Unlike his first field goal, a low liner that barely made it over the cross bar, DeCamp's final kick was perfect. "I just hit it, put my arms up and looked back at the scoreboard," DeCamp said. left, setting the stage for the finish.

Tutwiler was only 8-for-20 on the day, but his biggest conversion came on the third-and-five play. Ithaca defensive linemen David Prutting and Alex Shafiro hit the quarterback as he lofted a pass from his 38-yard line. Heaton and Tosh slipped on the play, and Heaton came down with the catch at the Bombers' 25. "I don't even know what kind of play that was," Welch said. "Their kid fell down, our kid fell down, their kid got up and caught it." Five running plays later and with four seconds remaining, DeCamp lined up for the game-winner.

"I just tried to block it all out and concentrate on the same things I always do," DeCamp said. "I have confidence in myself and in my holder and my snapper. And I know my line will do what they need to do. Then it's just execution. That's the way it is in practice, that's the way it is in games and that's the way we get things done." The kick split the uprights, setting off a wild celebration in which Cortland fans stormed the field.

"It shows the importance of special teams," Ithaca senior running back Pete Celebre said. "It's a tough one to swallow." Syracuse Berlin played one series Saturday, receiving a spattering of boos when he entered the game early in the second quarter. Berlin misfired on his only pass, was sacked once and never returned. Crudup probably will keep the starting job next week against Rutgers. His best throw came in the first quarter, when he faked left and hit Ryan Moore down the right sideline for a 45-yard score and a 7-3 lead.

"He did some good things," Coker said. "He was a little rusty with some things, but I was really pleased with the way he competed." After falling behind 10-7 at half-time, Miami turned to Moss. His biggest runs came on Miami's final scoring drive. Brett Kitenplon missed to the right, and the score remained 12-10, Ithaca. Cortland regained the lead thanks to a trick play.

Near the end of the third quarter, instead of punting on fourth down from the 50, the Red Dragons called a fake. Tutwiler, also the team's punter, fumbled the snap, but recovered and ran 27 yards for a first down. "The fake was executed the way we wanted, not the fumble, but the fake was executed and we called it," Cortland coach Dan MacNeill said. The play set up a field goal, which gave the Red Dragons a 13-12 edge. Kitenplon put the Bombers back ahead with a 24-yard field goal with decided to call it," Tutwiler said.

"We were supposed to go down that side, I saw an opening and went down the sideline. I kind of ran out of gas at the end, but it was a great play." The Red Dragons continued their running attack early in the fourth quarter to put DeCamp in position tor a 20-yard field goal. The kick gave Cortland a 13-12 lead with 12:12 remaining in the contest. For the game, Cortland rushed for 202 yards, getting 63 each from Tutwiler and Steve Davis. "Their running game is an option zone and they do a good job with it," Welch said.

"It's a matter of us just trying to cover each phase of it. They have some strong running backs. If we could have controlled the ball a little better and given our defense a little more rest, especially after we had taken a lead, that would have helped." Ithaca moved the ball to Cortland's 33 in its next drive, but a Felicetti fumble ended the series. The Bombers would get one more chance. Felicetti completed long passes to Free (15 yards) and tight end Vince Dargush (23 yards) to reach Cortland's 7.

Kitenplon then made his 24-yard field goal to give the Bombers a. 15-13 lead with 3:28 the 20. Sikes knocked down R.J. Anderson's pass to Johnnie Morant in the left corner of the end zone with 52 seconds remaining. Derrick Crudup ran out the clock from there.

Crudup, starting in place of Berlin, was mediocre in his first career start. He was 5-of-13 for 80 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a fumble. He also ran 14 times for 29 yards. "I think I can do much better than I did today," Crudup said. "But we got the win.

That's all that matters." Coker benched Berlin after the junior quarterback threw 17 interceptions and fumbled three times in the first nine games. Ithaca had a 6-3 lead with 8:48 to go in the second quarter. Cortland's Will Groff dropped the ensuing scooped it up again and went 84 yards down the right side to Ithaca's 2. Only a diving tackle by Jeff Welch, who ran down Groff, saved a touchdown. "That really got our spirits going," Cortland quarterback J.J.

Tutwiler said. The Red Dragons eventually scored a touchdown to take a 10-6 lead. Ithaca responded in the third quarter with a touchdown of its own, but once again, the Bombers failed to convert the extra point. This time, giving Cortland a 10-6 lead with 7:5 1 remaining before halftime. The score remained that way until early in the third quarter.

Ithaca lined up for a 35-yard field goal, and the kick was blocked. But Cortland was penalized for being offsides, and Ithaca earned a first down at the Red Dragons' 13. With new life, the Bombers went to their running game. Three rush ing plays got Ithaca down to the 1, and fullback Jamie Free ran up the middle for the go-ahead score. Again, the Bombers failed to convert on the extra-point, as Kitenplon's kick went wide right to Felicetti keep the score 12-10 in favor of Ithaca.

Cortland called a trick-play to recapture the momentum heading into the fourth quarter. With the ball at midfield, Tutwiler also the team's punter lined up on fourth down for a punt. It was a fake. Tutwiler fumbled the snap, but recovered and went 27 yards down to Ithaca's 27. "We planned a fake punt and Miami trailed 10-7 in the fourth quarter before scoring 10 straight points to stay in the hunt for the conference title and a berth in a Bowl Championship Series game.

If the Hurricanes beat Rutgers and No. 16 Pittsburgh, they will win the conference title and earn a BCS berth, probably in the Orange Bowl. "You'd be surprised how much one win can change our outlook," safety Maurice Sikes said. "Getting this win gives us a whole different attitude." After Kellen Pruitt partially blocked a punt, Syracuse (5-4, 2-3) got the ball back on the Miami 44 with 2:58 to play. But Miami's defense which played well in the two losses stopped the Orangemen on fourth-and-8 from if TORg 1 i a Miami rallies in fourth quarter to defeat East) altered their offensive philosophy against the Orangemen taking a page from the teams that beat them.

They ran the ball 49 times, hoping to eliminate turnovers while relying on the defense which has played well the last eight games. "You've got to win the surest way," Coker said. "We lost the surest way the last two weeks." Miami significantly outgained the Hokies and Volunteers, but lost both games because of a combined eight turnovers and 26 penalties. Coker made several changes this week. He benched Berlin, tight end Kellen Winslow and center Joel Rodriguez.

He also vowed to get Moss more playing time. It worked, barely. By MARK LONG Tlte Associated Press MIAMI Quarterback Brock Berlin might have some company on Miami's bench. Freshman Tyrone Moss ran 16 times for 91 yards in the second half, and the 14th-ranked Hurricanes rebounded from their first two-game losing streak in more than four years to beat Syracuse 17-10 on Saturday. Moss gave the offense a spark after it scored just one touchdown in losses to Virginia Tech and Tennessee.

Now he might keep Jarrett Payton on the sideline. "Tyrone's going to get a lot of carries," coach Larry Coker said. The Hurricanes (8-2, 4-1 Big.