Cornell College Rides Tony Gomez’s Big Day to Victory Over Grinnell
Mount Vernon, IA — Tony Gomez’s dominant performance propelled Cornell College to a 26-7 victory over Grinnell on Saturday at Van Metre Field at Ash Park. The senior running back accumulated 207 rushing yards and scored four touchdowns, leading the Rams to close their season at .500 with a 5-5 overall record.
Gomez was unstoppable, scoring on the ground three times, including two short runs in the second and fourth quarters, and a 34-yard reception in the second quarter that helped give Cornell a halftime lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Grinnell opened the scoring with an impressive 11-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Henry Baird to Garrett Wilson. However, Cornell’s defense clamped down from there, holding Grinnell scoreless for the rest of the game and forcing two interceptions, including one by Tyler Cochrane late in the fourth quarter to seal the win.
The Rams’ ground game was the story, with Gomez leading the way and BooBoo Browning adding 57 yards, including a thrilling 41-yard run in the final quarter. Cornell racked up 263 rushing yards compared to Grinnell’s 57, controlling possession and keeping the Pioneers’ offense off the field.
“We wanted to establish the run early and control the tempo,” said Cornell head coach Brian Johnson. “Tony was phenomenal today, and our offensive line created the opportunities we needed.”
Grinnell’s offense showed promise early, with Baird completing 22 of 30 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown. However, costly turnovers and penalties hampered the Pioneers’ efforts to stay competitive. Receiver Nick Rhinehart was a bright spot, hauling in 12 receptions for 65 yards, but Grinnell failed to capitalize on key drives, going just 4-for-13 on third-down conversions.
Defensively, Grinnell was led by Hugh Werner, who registered eight tackles and forced a fumble, and Breck Bishop, who recorded two sacks. Despite their efforts, Cornell’s balanced attack proved too much to handle.
Cornell finishes its season with momentum, while Grinnell closes a challenging campaign with a 2-8 record.
