Cornell uses trickery, interception to hold off Yale 14-12 in its Ivy League opener

Cornell defeats Yale 14-12

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Anthony Ambrosi returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown late in the third quarter and Cornell held on to defeat Yale 14-12 on Saturday.

The Big Red (2-0) scored quickly on their first possession when Ben Ganter passed to Steven Liuzza in the backfield, then Liuzza connected with Bryan Walters for an 81-yard touchdown to claim a 7-0 lead.

Cornell’s offense was limited 166 total yards, but its defense intercepted three passes, and the Big Red survived a late touchdown to win the Ivy League opener for both teams.

Yale (1-1) had a chance to send the game into overtime, but Patrick Witt’s pass fell incomplete on the 2-point conversion as time expired.

Tom Mante’s 23-yard field goal cut the lead to 7-3 in the first. He also made a 54-yard field goal, which tied him with five other players for the longest kick made in Ivy League history.