What Is 2019 Cornell Big Red football team

Overview

The 2019 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) during the 2019 season. Competing as a member of the Ivy League, the team was led by head coach David Archer, who was in his seventh year at the helm.

Playing their home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York, the Big Red finished the season with a 4–6 overall record and a 3–4 record in conference play. Despite not qualifying for the FCS playoffs, the team showed improvement in several offensive categories compared to previous seasons.

• Record: The team finished the season with a 4–6 overall record, marking a slight improvement from their 3–7 record in 2018.
• Conference performance: In Ivy League play, they went 3–4, placing them in the middle of the conference standings.
• Head coach:David Archer, in his seventh season, continued to rebuild the program with an emphasis on player development and academic excellence.
• Home stadium: All home games were played at Schoellkopf Field, a 25,597-seat stadium located on Cornell’s campus.
• Key player: Quarterback Liam O'Brien led the offense, throwing for 1,522 yards and 10 touchdowns on the season.

Season Performance

The 2019 season featured a mix of competitive losses and hard-fought victories, with the Big Red showing flashes of offensive potential despite challenges on defense. The team opened the season with a loss to Colgate but bounced back with wins against Lafayette and Brown.

• Offensive stats: The team averaged 23.1 points per game, an improvement from 20.8 the previous year, ranking fourth in the Ivy League.
• Defensive struggles: Allowed 29.5 points per game, among the highest in the conference, highlighting a need for defensive improvement.
• Rushing attack:Jack Espo led the ground game with 457 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
• Passing game: O'Brien completed 58.3% of his passes with 10 touchdowns against 9 interceptions.
• Special teams: Kicker David Sambogitt converted 7 of 10 field goal attempts, with a long of 42 yards.
• Turnover margin: The team had a –5 turnover margin, losing the ball 14 times compared to forcing only 9 takeaways.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2019 Cornell Big Red season compares to recent seasons in key statistical categories:

The 2019 team was part of a consistent mid-tier Ivy League performance, with similar records and point differentials over the past five seasons. While offensive production has gradually improved, defensive consistency remains a challenge for the program.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a transitional year that laid the groundwork for future development under Coach Archer. Though not a championship contender, the team demonstrated resilience and incremental progress in key areas.

• Player development: Several underclassmen gained valuable experience, setting the stage for future leadership roles.
• Recruiting momentum: Improved on-field performance helped boost recruiting efforts for the Class of 2023.
• Academic-athletic balance: The team maintained a 98% graduation rate, reflecting Cornell’s commitment to student-athlete success.
• Conference competitiveness: Competitive games against top Ivy teams like Harvard and Yale showed the program is closing the gap.
• Facility upgrades: Continued investment in Schoellkopf Field enhanced training and game-day experience.
• Long-term vision: The 2019 season was part of a broader strategy to build a sustainable, competitive FCS program.

While the 2019 Cornell Big Red didn’t achieve a winning record, the season contributed to the long-term growth of the football program and reinforced the university’s dedication to excellence both on the field and in the classroom.