By SCOTT CHIUSANO
Head coach David Archer’s ’05 debut season with the Red began with a flurry of firsts. However, six weeks into the season and looking ahead to his third try, Archer and his squad are still searching for that elusive first Ivy win. Standing in their way this weekend will be the Brown Bears (3-2,0-2 Ivy), as the Red returns to Schoellkopf trying to hand Archer that final first.
Saturday’s matchup will be a battle between two teams stuck in the cellar of the Ancient Eight. Which team will begin its ascent first remains to be seen. The Red is coming off a disappointing loss to Monmouth in a non-conference showdown last weekend. After falling behind 17-0 early, Cornell sparked a 16-point turnaround to go into the locker room with all the momentum. However, Monmouth refused to go down easy, outscoring the Red 31-7 in the second half. According to senior wide receiver Grant Gellatly, the team has pinpointed its areas for improvement after the fourth straight loss.
“We need to focus on protecting the ball. It is something we have been preaching all year, and we did not get it done [last] week,” Gellatly said. “I think it comes down to execution every game, and we need to continue working on our consistency executing our game plan.”
Brown visits Ithaca after taking a 39-17 beating from Princeton at home last weekend. Bears’ sophomore free safety Michael Walsh was named Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown in the loss.
Oliver Kliewe / Senior PhotographerSophomore corner back Twan Terrell (left) blocked a punt last weekend, part of an impressive special teams effort that will be integral against the Bears.