Ithaca, N.Y. – (10/13/2018) – In another high-scoring Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL) game, Chestnut Hill College began the four quarter with a game-tying drive, 41-41 (11:06, 4QTR), that ended with a 16-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Michael Marino (Blue Bell, Pa.) to junior wide receiver Domoree Hill (Bethlehem, Pa.) and a two-point conversion run from senior wide receiver Reggie Robinson Jr. (Washington, DC). Unfortunately, the final verdict came down to the final 11 minutes of play, where the Big Red responded with a 75-yard scoring drive of their own that gave them the edge they needed, 49-41 (6:20, 4QTR), to win this afternoon's contest.
 
Chestnut Hill College (2-2) wasted little time getting on the scoreboard as Marino connected with senior running back Raevon Floyd-Bennett (Union City, N.J.) for a 65-yard touchdown pass on the Griffins' first play from scrimmage (7-0, 14:43 1QTR). Cornell University (2-1) responded with a field goal , 7-3 (8:54, 1QTR), but the Scarlet and Gold had another big play waiting as senior defensive back Ricky Robinson III (Binghamton, N.Y.) returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards to increase the Griffin advantage to 14-3 (8:38, 1QTR). Things continued to go Chestnut Hill College's way in the first quarter. Cornell University's next drive ended after just two plays as sophomore defensive back Rahsul Brown (Swedesboro, N.J.) intercepted a pass from senior quarterback Connor Ostrander (Longmeadow, Mass.) to give the Griffins the ball on the Big Red 33-yard line. A 32-yard connection from Marino to Hill and a one-yard run from Floyd-Bennett later, Chestnut Hill College was the proud owner of a 21-3 (7:07, 1QTR) lead. And just when it looked like the Big Red was going to recover, 21-9 (3:47, 1QTR), a blocked point-after by sophomore defensive back Nate Moser (Bethlehem, Pa.) and the subsequent return by sophomore defensive back Terrell Bush (Valley Stream, N.Y.), gave the Griffins a 23-9 (3:47, 1QTR) edge with the ball in hand at the close of the frame. Unfortunately, Cornell University scored 26 unanswered points in the second quarter to lead 35-23 at halftime.
 
Refocused, Chestnut Hill College recovered the lost ground in the third quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Mario to Hill at 7:13 (35-30) and a 34-yard field goal from junior kicker Dante Fuchs (Sinking Spring, Pa.) at 4:03, reducing the deficit to just two points, 35-33. But, Cornell University's next drive spanned the quarter gap and resulted in a touchdown that left the Griffins down 41-33 with 14:14 to play. With the game on the line, the Scarlet and Gold bearded down and scored on their next possession as they rotated between gains from Floyd-Bennett and completed passes from Marino to eventually find pay dirt on a 16-yard Hill touchdown reception, 41-41 (11:09, 4QTR). Unfortunately, Ostrander had the answer for the Big Red, playing a role in every play of a 10-play drive that gave Cornell University a 49-41 edge with 6:20 remaining. Chestnut Hill College's last chance ended with a third-down sack, fumble at the Big Red 38-yard line.

Marino threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns, completing 13-of-27 passes. Floyd-Bennett totaled 138 yards from scrimmage, leading the Griffin ground game with 58 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries (4.5 yards/carry), while catching five passes – including his opening touchdown - for a team-high 80 yards receiving. Junior running back Sef Penson (Brooklyn, N.Y.) provided another 36 rushing yards on nine carries (4.0 yards/carry). Hill scored on two of his four receptions and totaled 70 yards (17.5 yards/reception). On defense, senior defensive lineman Brian Layden (Springfield, Pa.) totaled a team-high 10 tackles (7 solo, 3 assisted). Junior defensive lineman Marcel Mitchell (Mays Landing, N.J.) recorded Chestnut Hill College's only sack as one of his two solo tackles. Moser added four tackles and an interception to his point-after block.
 
Chestnut Hill College returns to CSFL South Divisional play on Friday, October 19, when they visit the United States Naval Academy for a 7:00 p.m. contest.