MOUNT VERNON, Iowa – A record-setting performance by running back Nicholas D'Ambrose highlighted the University of Chicago football team's 47-21 road victory at Cornell College on Saturday afternoon.

The Maroons improved to 5-1 on the season and 4-1 in the Midwest Conference. The Rams dropped to 2-4 overall (2-3 MWC).

D'Ambrose dominated the day from start to finish. The senior gashed Cornell on the ground for 297 rushing yards on 35 carries, averaging 8.5 yards per carry. It marked the most rushing yards by a Maroon since Chandler Carroll broke the school record with 311 rushing yards versus Centre College in 2015. D'Ambrose did claim another school record, however, with five rushing touchdowns. The previous record of four was held by five other players and was most recently accomplished by Francis Adarkwa in 2010.

The first offensive play from scrimmage set the tone. Senior quarterback Philip Martini found senior wide receiver Matt Quaglia in the slot for a quick hitter in the middle of the field, but Quaglia turned on the jets and burned five Cornell defenders for a 68-yard touchdown. UChicago has scored on its opening drive all six games this season.

On the next Maroon possession, the offense marched 80 yards on 10 plays to make it 14-0. D'Ambrose broke off a 37-yard run in the middle of the drive and then finished it off with a three-yard touchdown on first-and-goal.

At the start of the second quarter, a little trickery from UChicago's special teams unit paid off. A fake punt saw the ball end up in the hands of first-year tight end Aiden Mandell, who motored into the end zone for a 54-yard score. The Maroons would soon make it 28-0 on their very next drive courtesy of an eight-yard touchdown jaunt from D'Ambrose.

Cornell made some inroads during the remainder of the second quarter. The home team scored twice to halve the deficit to 28-14. A 47-yard touchdown pass and an 87-yard fumble return set up a short scoring plunge from one yard out. Cornell's defense closed out the quarter by snagging an interception as well.

It didn't take long for UChicago to extend its lead. After a quick three-and-out by the Rams, the Maroons scored another touchdown on D'Ambrose's 43-yard run. The senior burst right through the middle of the line and trucked the deep safety before eventually diving to the left pylon.

Cornell reached the end zone once again to draw to within 34-21 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. But UChicago slammed the door with two more D'Ambrose touchdowns that traversed 25 and 21 yards. The Rams were intercepted on their final two drives by senior linebacker Jack Surgeoner and sophomore linebacker Aidan Cappellino.

The Maroon offense surpassed 500 total yards for the fifth-straight game, ending up with 582. The running game accrued 420 yards on 8.4 yards per rush. Martini completed 8 of 17 passes for 162 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran for 31 yards on six carries. Quaglia snagged three catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. Fellow senior wideout Elliott Grays caught two passes for 25 yards.

Defensively, UChicago limited Cornell to 111 rushing yards and 130 passing yards while picking off three passes. Senior cornerback Makai Robinson added an interception of his own on Cornell's second possession of the game.

Cappellino made a team-high 10 tackles with one pick. Sophomore linebacker William Skowronski collected nine tackles. Junior safety Braedon Junker posted four tackles and two tackles for loss.

NEXT GAME:

• Saturday, Oct. 23 @ 2:00 PM – Ripon College at UChicago