Princeton University Athletics
Princeton Drops 19-8 Loss to Cornell in Sprint Football
October 23, 1999 | Sprint Football
Oct. 23, 1999
ITHACA, N.Y. - The Princeton sprint football team fell to 1-3, 0-2 in the CSFL, when it fell 19-8 at Cornell. The Big Red avenged a 12-7 season-opening defeat at Princeton.
The Tigers actually outgained Cornell by almost 50 yards and hade more than nine minutes extra in time of possession. Four turnovers, including three interceptions by Geoff Gasperini, and a disastrous special-teams play in the third quarter propelled Cornell to the win.
The Big Red led 6-0 at halftime after Tom Cerasoli caught a 15-yard touchdown pass from George Manatos. After Princeton was stopped on a drive early in the third quarter, Ki Moon's punt was blocked and returned 15 yards for a touchdown by Luis Reformina. Another two-point conversion failed, and Cornell led 12-0.
Rikki Racela scored Princeton's first touchdown in over 11 quarters when he barreled in from one yard out, completing a 16-play, 96-yard drive. Geoff Gasperini scored on a two-point conversion, and the deficit was trimmed to 12-8. It would get no closer, though, as Cornell running back Phil Tretola scored on a 23-yard run to give Cornell all the insurance it would need.
Princeton will travel to Navy next Friday night. The Tigers defeated the Midshipmen 21-20 last year in overtime.
Princeton (1-3, 0-2) 0 0 0 8 - 8 Cornell (1-3, 1-1) 6 0 6 7 - 19
C- Cerasoli 15 pass from Manatos (run failed) C- Reformina 15 blocked punt return (pass failed) P- Racela 1 run (Gasperini run) C- Tretola 23 run (Manz kick)