MOUNT VERNON, Iowa — The Cornell College football team scored on its first five possessions Saturday and went on to a 45-14 Midwest Conference win over Lawrence University at Ash Park.
Cornell quarterback Juan Flores had a big day as he completed 21 of 27 passes for 275 yards and three touchdowns.
Lawrence quarterback Luke Barthelmess was only 18 of 41 passing for 155 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Barthelmess also ran 20 times for 117 yards and a touchdown.
Cornell (1-0, 1-0 MWC) forced a punt on Lawrence’s opening possession of the game and moved 56 yards in only three plays for the first touchdown of the game. Flores hit Justin Cox with a 23-yard scoring pass for a 7-0 lead. After another Lawrence punt, Cornell moved 53 yards in six plays, with Flores connecting with Brit Connor from 18 yards out, for a 14-0 lead.
Myron Seabrook then intercepted Barthelmess on the next possession and ran it back 22 yards for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead. After a Lawrence drive stalled at the Cornell 38-yard line, the Vikings punted. Cornell drove 75 yards in seven plays for another touchdown and a 28-0 lead.
Lawrence (0-1, 0-1) got its first score of the game when Barthelmess hit Taylor Mandich from six yards out for a touchdown. The drive covered 88 yards and took 12 plays and trimmed the lead to 31-7 with 3:59 left in the first half. Mandich finished the day with four catches for 34 yards.
The Vikings picked up their other touchdown early in the fourth quarter after a 12-play, 61-yard drive. Barthelmess ran it from four yards out to cut Cornell’s lead to 45-14.
Linebacker Brandon Taylor led Lawrence’s defense with 10 tackles. Jeremy Demlow had 14 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, to pace the Rams.
The Vikings acutally had one more first down (22-21) and ran 33 more offensive plays than the Rams. Lawrence enjoyed a huge edge in time of possession (37:04-22:56).
Lawrence has its home opener next Saturday when it hosts Lake Forest College at 6 p.m. in the Banta Bowl.