What Is 1991 Cornell Big Red football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1991 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University during the 1991 NCAA Division I-AA football season, finishing with a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 record in the Ivy League under head coach Terry Danyluk.

Key Facts

The 1991 Cornell Big Red football team had a 3-7 overall record
They competed in the Ivy League with a 2-5 conference record
Terry Danyluk was in his fourth season as head coach
Home games were played at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, NY
Cornell did not qualify for the Division I-AA playoffs in 1991

Overview

The 1991 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University in the 1991 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Competing as a member of the Ivy League, the team was led by head coach Terry Danyluk, who was in his fourth year at the helm. The Big Red played their home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York, a historic venue with a capacity of approximately 25,592.

Despite high hopes entering the season, the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a 3-7 overall record and a 2-5 mark in Ivy League play. They did not qualify for the Division I-AA playoffs, marking the fourth consecutive non-winning season under Danyluk. The 1991 campaign reflected ongoing challenges in rebuilding the program during a transitional era for Cornell football.

Overall record: The team finished with a 3-7 win-loss record, winning only three of ten games played during the season.
Conference performance: In Ivy League competition, the Big Red posted a 2-5 record, placing them in the lower half of the standings.
Head coach: Terry Danyluk served as head coach for his fourth season, compiling a 3-7 record in 1991 and 10-30 overall during his tenure.
Home stadium: All home games were hosted at Schoellkopf Field, a Cornell-owned stadium built in 1915 and located on the university's campus.
Postseason: Cornell did not qualify for the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs, as Ivy League teams did not participate in the postseason at the time.

Season Performance

The 1991 season was marked by offensive struggles and defensive lapses, with the Big Red failing to secure a winning streak. They opened the season with a loss to Colgate and followed with mixed results against non-conference opponents before entering Ivy League play.

September 7, 1991: Cornell lost 24-14 to Colgate in the season opener, setting a tone of defensive vulnerability.
Non-conference record: The team went 1-3 against non-Ivy opponents, defeating only Bucknell by a score of 24-17.
Offensive output: The Big Red averaged 18.9 points per game, totaling 189 points across ten games.
Defensive struggles: They allowed 27.3 points per game, surrendering over 2,700 yards of total defense during the season.
Key win: A 20-17 victory over Brown in October was one of only two Ivy League wins for the season.
Season finale: The team closed with a 34-14 loss to Columbia, finishing the year on a three-game losing streak.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1991 season can be better understood by comparing it to recent years in Cornell football history. The table below highlights key performance metrics across three seasons.

Season	Overall Record	Ivy Record	Head Coach	Points For	Points Against
1989	2-8	2-5	Terry Danyluk	156	258
1990	3-7	2-5	Terry Danyluk	187	238
1991	3-7	2-5	Terry Danyluk	189	273
1992	4-6	4-3	Terry Danyluk	202	234
1993	3-7	2-5	Terry Danyluk	167	246

The data shows that the 1991 season was consistent with Cornell's performance in the late 1980s and early 1990s—marked by modest scoring and defensive challenges. The team showed slight improvement in points scored over 1990 but allowed more points, indicating ongoing struggles on defense. These years reflect a rebuilding phase before more competitive seasons later in the decade.

Why It Matters

While the 1991 season was not a standout year for Cornell football, it remains a part of the program's historical record and offers insight into the challenges of mid-tier Division I-AA programs during that era. The season underscores the difficulty of achieving consistency in a competitive conference like the Ivy League.

Program development: The 1991 season highlighted the need for long-term investment in player development and coaching stability.
Ivy League context: Competing in a non-scholarship league made recruiting and retention more difficult compared to other Division I-AA teams.
Coaching legacy: Terry Danyluk’s tenure, including 1991, laid groundwork for future coaches despite limited wins.
Historical continuity: The season contributes to the broader narrative of Cornell’s football history since its founding in 1887.
Player experience: For student-athletes, the season offered valuable experience in a rigorous academic and athletic environment.
Data for analysis: The season’s statistics are used today in historical comparisons and program evaluations.

Understanding seasons like 1991 helps contextualize Cornell’s football journey, illustrating both the perseverance required and the incremental progress toward future success.