HILLBURN, N.Y. - Senior quarterback Luke Sullivan went 15-for-29 passing for 303 yards and two touchdowns Saturday night at Torne Valley Sports Complex, but it was not enough for the St. Thomas Aquinas College Sprint Football team, which carried the lead into the fourth quarter before ultimately succumbing to visiting Cornell University by a 30-15 decision.

 

The host Spartans (2-2) took a 6-0 lead with 3:39 left in the first quarter when Sullivan found Matthew Ehret (2 rec., game-high 123 yds.) on an 87-yard scoring strike.

 

Cornell (3-1) took a 7-6 lead over three minutes into the second half when it fell on a fumble in the end zone, before freshman Brian Hammerman connected on an 18-yard field goal with five minutes left in the third quarter to push STAC back in front, 9-7.

 

The Big Red then scored 23 straight points in the fourth quarter to jump ahead for good, before Calvin Webb reeled in a 46-yard pass from Sullivan with 3:38 remaining to account for the final score. 

 

STAC held advantages in yards gained (305-205), first downs (16-13) and time of possession (35:08-24:52) on the evening, while Cornell collected 15 points off of turnovers to provide for the difference.

 

Carlos Fernandez rushed 13 times for 41 yards for STAC, while also catching three passes for 52 yards out of the backfield. 

 

On the defensive side of the ball, Kyle Teneyck registered 1.5 tackles for loss and recovered a fumble, while junior safety Rafael Cruz led the Spartans with nine tackles and a pass break-up. Malyk Michel (one forced fumble) and Salah Odeh (1.0 TFL) each defensed two passes for STAC.

 

Head coach Matt Barry's Spartans are back in action Friday night (Oct. 26), when they travel to Philadelphia for a 7 p.m. kick-off at Chestnut Hill College. STAC then rounds out its regular season at Torne Valley on Nov. 2, with a 6 p.m. kickoff against Mansfield University.