Complete Statistics

            HAMILTON, NY - Junior tailback Nate Thomas ran for a career-high 222 yards on 25 carries as Colgate (2-2) downed Cornell, 35-32, for the sixth straight time in the 84th renewal of their Upstate New York rivalry.

Thomas' rushing performance equalled the seventh best single game effort in school history, and was the most yardage ever gained by a Colgate player against Cornell.

Thomas opened the Raiders’ scoring with a 76-yard touchdown run on Colgate’s second offensive play from scrimmage.  Freshman placekicker Lane Schwarzberg added the extra point for a 7-0 lead 50 seconds into the contest.

Cornell evened the score with 5:57 left in the second quarter when Evan Simmons scored from two yards out capping an 80-yard drive in 15 plays. 

            The Big Red took a 10-7 lead early in the third quarter on Peter Iverson’s 21-yard field goal, but would never lead again.  The Raiders mounted a 12-play, 83-yard scoring drive on the ensuing possession capped by a 21-yard scamper by Thomas, who scored three touchdowns on the day.  

            The Raiders extended their lead to 21-10 with 5:55 left in the third quarter when junior cornerback Maurice Robertson stepped in front of a Ricky Rahne pass and took it 31 yards the other way for a Raider score.  It was the third straight game that Robertson has picked off a pass.

            Thomas added his final touchdown with 8:26 left in the fourth quarter with a seven-yard score giving the Raiders a 35-18 advantage five plays after safety Ameer Riley intercepted a Rahne pass at the Colgate 46.  

            Cornell pulled within three points with 1:17 remaining in the game after scoring 14 points in a one minute, 24 second span.  The Big Red recovered an on-side kick after Rahne hit Chad Nice for a 16-yard score to pull within 35-24, and scored six plays later on a 22-yard pass from Rahne to John Kellner.  

            Colgate recovered the ensuing on-side kickoff, and ran off the remaining 1:27.  Junior quarterback Tom McCune completed 12-of-21 passes for 157 yards and one TD, while senior wide receiver Joe Parker caught six passes for 101 yards.

             Parker moved into 10th place in career receptions as a Raider with 90 catches for 1,251 yards and 12 TD's.