Siwula Looks to Cap Stellar Cornell Career

If you have followed Cornell football for the past three years, you have probably grown to cheer, appreciate — and possibly adore — senior tailback Luke Siwula.
Since landing in East Hill, the Cortland, N.Y. native has made his mark on Cornell football. Last year, Siwula had three 100-yard games — moving him into six place on the schools’ all-time career rushing list.
In 2005, Siwula easily earned first-team All-Ivy honors with six 100-yard games. In that season he totaled, 1,086 yards and seemed to do even better the year after that.
However, Siwula only piled up 885 yards last year due to junior Shane Kilcoyne sharing carries with him.
“I think you can expect somewhat of a comeback from Luke,” head coach Jim Knowles ’87.
The 6-0 back saw his rushing attempts drop last year. In 2005, Siwula ran the ball 252 times but last year that number dropped to 202.
“I expect to see that number closer to 250 this year,” Knowles said.
Even if Siwula doesn’t get that many carry attempts this year, it will be shocking if he doesn’t at least replicate last year’s success. His performance last year still earned him a first-team ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American honor. As a junior, he also earned a second-team All-Ivy honors.
If there is one stat of Siwula’s that you can expect to increase it will be his catch total. In his sophomore campaign Siwula caught 18 passes and last year he caught 11. Knowles plans on putting his running backs in better positions to receive the ball in the open field.
“You will see the running back more involved in the passing game,” Knowles said.
Siwula has seen limited action all preseason due to a myriad of minor injuries. He missed Cornell’s scrimmage with Ithaca College, for example. The senior is expected to start this upcoming weekend’s game at home against Bucknell, though.