Cornell held off Yale 14-12 in the opening league game for both teams. Yale and Cornell looked very evenly matched, but a big play early and a failed 2-point conversion in the waning moments by Yale gave Cornell just enough to assure a win. The game featured nearly 1000 yards... of punts. The teams combined for 27 punts as neither was able to do much offensively. *Note: This game was televised on Versus, but the network apparently lost connection to the game after halftime and wasn't able to provide any coverage (other than score updates) in the second half.
Cornell
Name - # - HT - WT - 40 - POS - YR
Chris Costello - 55 - 6010 - 229 - 4.80 - ILB - 2010
Costello looks smallish for the middle and it shows during the action as he can get knocked off pursuit easily by linemen and other blockers. He generally shows good discipline and solid read-and-react skills, but has trouble getting off blocks and working through traffic to get to the ball. If he has a clear path, Costello will deliver. He's a solid, wrap-up tackler who can deliver a decent pop as well. Costello looks a bit faster than the 4.80 listed for him, and has good range, but probably doesn't have NFL speed. He was active in this game and finished with a nice stat line. (Grade: Neutral)
Bryan Walters - 8 - 6010 - 188 - 4.50 - WR - 2010
Walters intrigues me some. He's clearly built in the possession receiver mold. On the first play from scrimmage, he caught a halfback option and raced completely unchallenged 81 yards for a TD. He ran a simple nine route and the corner and safety both bought the pitch to the tailback and left Walters wide open on the sideline. Unfortunately, it was his only catch of the game. He also contributed on kick and punt returns, but contributed very little in that regard. Walters also serves as the holder for FG and XP attempts. I think Walters could be camp fodder, with an outside chance to contribute on special teams and possibly as a depth WR. (Grade: Slightly positive)
Others to watch: None
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Yale
Name - # - HT - WT - 40 - POS - YR
John Sheffield - 2 - 6020 - 235 - 4.80 - TE/H-B - 2010
Yale uses Sheffield as an H-back, and he clearly lacks the size and bulk to be a TE at the next level. Think of him as a poor man's Chris Cooley. Sheffield was the focus of the Yale passing attack, mostly as a check-down option for the QB. Sheffield is a natural pass-catcher with soft hands and is an effective route-runner, although he ran a few lazy routes when he wasn't involved in the play. He's able to find holes and presents himself to the passer well. Sheffield also moves fairly well (faster than the 4.8 listed), but doesn't have the strength to really be a point-of-attack blocker. He's reasonably effective in space and will give an effort, but he tends to get blown up more than he blows up others. I'm not sure he has a home at the next level, so he should be thankful he's getting a degree from Yale. (Grade: Neutral)
Larry Abare - 32 - 6010 - 210 - 4.65 - S - 2010
Abare is the twin brother of Bobby Abare (graduated last year) and, like his brother, is a try-hard player with decent athleticism. Abare plays smart and recognizes the action in front of him, and excels in the Ivy League, but he just doesn't have next-level ability or speed. (Grade: Neutral)
Tom Mante - 8 - 6000 - 200 - 5.10 - K/P - 2010
Mante had more action than anyone else on the Yale team in this one. He punted 12 times with an average of about 38 yards per punt. Half of those punts, however, were dropped inside the 20. He had a long of 50, but didn't show great leg-strength on any of his punts. Mante also serves as the placekicker and his highlight of the day was an Ivy League record-tying 54-yard FG as time expired in the first half. He did, however, push a 42-yard FG attempt wide left in the second quarter. Mante's kickoffs were also lacking distance, typically about 55 yards. (Grade: Slightly Positive)
Others to watch: Sophomore QB Patrick Witt (6040, 220) transferred from Nebraska. He has ideal size and a good pedigree (heavily recruited out of HS), but was unable to win a job at Nebraska and came to Yale for the "academic" challenge. Should be a good one to watch grow over the next 2-3 years.