What Is 1935 Cornell Big Red football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1935 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University during the 1935 college football season, finishing with a 3–2–2 record under head coach Gil Dobie. They played their home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York.

Key Facts

The 1935 Cornell Big Red football team had a final record of 3 wins, 2 losses, and 2 ties
Head coach Gil Dobie led the team in his fifth season at Cornell
Home games were played at Schoellkopf Field, a 25,597-seat stadium in Ithaca
The team outscored opponents 97 to 59 over the course of the season
Captain Ray Van Orman served as team leader and later became a head coach

Overview

The 1935 Cornell Big Red football team represented Cornell University in the 1935 NCAA football season. Competing as an independent, the team was led by head coach Gil Dobie, who was in his fifth year at the helm. The season reflected a modest improvement over previous years, showcasing a balanced mix of offensive production and defensive resilience.

Playing their home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York, the Big Red competed against a mix of regional and nationally recognized programs. Despite not being part of a formal conference, the team maintained a competitive schedule, facing schools such as Colgate, Penn, and Columbia. The season concluded with a respectable 3–2–2 overall record.

Record of 3–2–2: The team won three games, lost two, and tied two, reflecting a competitive but inconsistent season across nine matchups.
Head coach Gil Dobie: In his fifth season, Dobie brought experience and structure, having previously coached at Navy and Washington.
Schoellkopf Field: The historic 25,597-capacity stadium served as the home venue, located on Cornell’s Ithaca campus.
Scoring output: The Big Red scored 97 total points while allowing 59, indicating a strong offensive performance relative to defense.
Captain Ray Van Orman: A standout leader on the team who later served as Cornell’s head football coach from 1947 to 1949.

Season Performance

The 1935 season featured a challenging slate of opponents, with results that highlighted both offensive strength and defensive lapses. Games were played primarily on weekends between September and November, following standard college football scheduling of the era.

September 28: vs. Colgate: The season opener ended in a 13–13 tie, setting a tone of competitiveness against a strong regional rival.
October 5: vs. Penn: Cornell secured a decisive 20–0 victory, showcasing a dominant defensive effort.
October 12: vs. Columbia: The Big Red won 19–7, demonstrating consistent offensive execution in conference-style play.
October 26: vs. Syracuse: A hard-fought 13–6 loss revealed vulnerabilities against power-running teams.
November 2: vs. Dartmouth: A 7–7 tie reflected evenly matched competition and tactical play from both sides.
November 9: vs. Harvard: Cornell fell 13–7, highlighting narrow margins in Ivy-level matchups.
November 16: vs. Penn State: The season concluded with a 13–0 win, ending on a high note with a shutout performance.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1935 Cornell Big Red with select Ivy League peers from the same season:

Team	Record (W-L-T)	Points For	Points Against	Head Coach
Cornell Big Red	3–2–2	97	59	Gil Dobie
Harvard Crimson	5–1–2	107	38	Dwight G. Stevens
Dartmouth Big Green	5–1–1	105	35	Earl W. Redman
Penn Quakers	4–3–1	102	78	Harvey Harman
Columbia Lions	2–6	45	102	Lou Little

The table illustrates that while Cornell did not match the win totals of top Ivy teams like Harvard and Dartmouth, their point differential was favorable compared to peers. Their defense allowed fewer points than all but the top two teams, and their offensive output was solid given the era’s lower-scoring games. The two ties and narrow losses suggest a team capable of competing at a high level but lacking consistency.

Why It Matters

The 1935 season holds historical significance as part of Cornell’s long-standing football tradition. It reflects the evolution of college football during the pre-World War II era, when programs operated without formal conferences and relied on regional rivalries. The team’s performance contributed to the legacy of the Big Red brand and helped shape future recruiting and coaching strategies.

Development of leadership: Captain Ray Van Orman’s role paved the way for future player-coach transitions at the university.
Historical context: The season occurred during the Great Depression, affecting travel, attendance, and athletic funding.
Independent status: Cornell’s lack of conference affiliation allowed scheduling flexibility but limited postseason opportunities.
Coaching legacy: Gil Dobie’s tenure influenced future coaching hires and program structure at Cornell.
Stadium tradition: Schoellkopf Field remains in use today, linking modern fans to 1930s-era games.
Statistical record: The team’s 97–59 scoring edge is preserved in NCAA historical archives and Cornell’s media guides.

Though not a championship season, the 1935 campaign remains a documented chapter in Cornell athletics, illustrating perseverance, regional pride, and the foundations of a storied program.