A Cornell player runs the football down field with another teammate while a Lehigh player chases behind him.

Big Red Football’s Homecoming Win Is One for the Record Books

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The 48-38 victory over Lehigh is Cornell's first against a top-five opponent since 1939—and only the third in program history

By Cornellians staff

Photography by Devin Flores & Ryan Young

The last time Big Red football beat a team that's ranked in the top five, Franklin Roosevelt was in the White House. The year was 1939; the opponent was Ohio State. But during Homecoming 2026, Cornell repeated that feat after a long drought, this time in an upset against fourth-ranked Lehigh.

With the 48-38 win on a sunny-but-chilly October afternoon, the Big Red ended the Mountain Hawks' 23-game regular-season winning streak, which was the longest in Division I entering the week.

Spectators wearing Cornell clothing cheer and jump in the air while watching the football game.
Students cheered on the home team.

Among the game's highlights was a stellar performance by quarterback Garrett Bass-Sulpizio ’27, who was 22 of 34 for 366 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, completing passes to 10 different receivers. He also ran 17 times for 103 yards and a touchdown.

The Hotelie's 469 yards of total offense are the sixth most in a game in program history.

The Cornell football team stands on the field and faces fans with their arms around each other.
The players celebrated their victory with a kickline, to the music of the Marching Band.

He is the first Cornell player since 1983 with 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in the same game, and the first Big Red quarterback to rush for 100 yards since fellow Hotelie Jameson Wang ’25, BS ’24, notched 101 in 2021.

Other standouts included wide receiver Brendan Lee ’27, a Dyson School student who not only caught five passes for 92 yards and a touchdown, but added a rushing touchdown.

With the 48-38 win, the Big Red ended fourth-ranked Lehigh’s 23-game regular-season winning streak.

And wide receiver Ja'von Broussard ’29, an econ major in Arts & Sciences, caught two passes for a career-best 70 yards—including a 37-yard touchdown, the longest touchdown catch by a Cornell player this season.

Here's a photographic look at the game, along with other Homecoming happenings: the festivities outside Schoellkopf, an autumn-themed student event on Ho Plaza, and Big Red spirit on display in the Crescent.

Fall Fun on Ho Plaza

Three students pose for a photo in front of the balloon wall that says "2026" during fall-themed events on Ho Plaza at Homecoming
Cornell students walk through dozens of mini pumpkins sitting in the grass as part of Homecoming Weekend fall-themed activities
Cornell students and visitors paint mini pumpkins as part of a fall-themed Homecoming Weekend event on Ho Plaza
A student poses for a photo on Ho Plaza during Homecoming.
a dance group performs on Ho Plaza as part of the fall festival during Homecoming Weekend

In the Crescent Lot

The Big Red Marching Band conductor stands on a ladder in front of the band as they prepare to play.
fans pose for photos in the Crescent Lot before the game
Seven Cornell students in red, white, and navy clothes smile for photo together in front of the crescent.
students took part in face painting in the Crescent Lot before the game

Spirit—In the Stands and Beyond

Spectators in the stands cheer and put their hands in the air while watching the game.
A Cornell cheerleader smiles and waves white and red pompoms in the air.
Spectators in the stands cheer and put their hands in the air while watching the game.

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Cornell marching band moves their percussion instruments by carrying them over their heads.
Touchdown poses with fans at Schoellkopf during the game
Members of the marching band wave flags as the football team run out at the start of the game.
Members of the Cornell marching band play during their performance on the field.
Spectators wearing Cornell clothing cheer and jump in the air while watching the football game.
A member of the Cornell marching band throws the baton in the air while standing in the center of the football field.

Gridiron Action

Cornell football players run out onto the field at the start of the game.
Cornell and Lehigh football players face off across each other on the field during the game.
Cornell football players block Lehigh as a Cornell player runs the ball down the field.
A Cornell football player holds his hands out to catch the football in the end zone while a Lehigh player runs towards him.
Fans in the bleachers cheer while watching the game.
A Cornell player throws the ball down field.
A Cornell football player runs with the ball while a Lehigh player attempts a tackle
A Cornell football player kicks the ball as a row of spectators wearing red watch from the side.
A Cornell player catches the ball in the end zone while spectators in the back hold their hands up to signal a touchdown.

Celebrating a Historic Game

Cornell players jump in the air and celebrate together on the sideline.
Cornell coaches and players celebrate on the sideline.
Two Cornell football players hug on the field.

Published October 19, 2026

Comments

  1. Robert Herwick MD, Class of 1964
    20 Oct, 2026

    While channel surfing I stumbled upon the game here in San Francisco and decided to watch for a “few minutes”. That few minutes turned into 2 hours. What a game!! Go Big Red!!

    Reply

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