What Is 2013 Cornell Big Red football

Overview

The 2013 Cornell Big Red football team competed as a member of the Ivy League in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). This season marked the program's 133rd season of play and the second under head coach Kent Austin, who was working to rebuild the program after several challenging years.

Playing their home games at Schoellkopf Field in Ithaca, New York, the Big Red finished the season with a 4-6 overall record and a 3-4 record in Ivy League play, placing them in a tie for fourth place in the conference standings. Despite not qualifying for the FCS playoffs, the season showed signs of progress compared to previous years.

• Overall record of 4-6: The team won four games and lost six, marking a modest improvement from the 2012 season when they went 3-7.
• 3-4 Ivy League record: Cornell tied for fourth in the conference, finishing behind Harvard, Yale, and Penn, but ahead of Brown, Columbia, and Princeton.
• Kent Austin in second season: The head coach, hired in 2012, continued implementing offensive changes and developing younger players for future success.
• Schoellkopf Field as home venue: The historic 25,500-seat stadium hosted all home games, maintaining a long-standing tradition of Big Red football.
• 207 points scored, 243 allowed: The offense averaged 20.7 points per game, while the defense gave up 24.3 points per game over the 10-game season.

How It Works

The 2013 season followed standard NCAA FCS scheduling and Ivy League competition rules, with no postseason eligibility due to the conference's ban on bowl participation. The team operated under a structured season format with specific goals for development and conference performance.

• Season Structure: The Big Red played a 10-game regular season schedule, all against Division I opponents, with seven games against Ivy League rivals and three non-conference matchups.
• Offensive Strategy: Under Kent Austin, the team utilized a pro-style offensive system emphasizing quarterback development and balanced run-pass execution.
• Defensive Alignment: The defense primarily used a 4-3 formation, focusing on tackling fundamentals and limiting big plays in conference games.
• Player Development: With a young roster, the coaching staff prioritized redshirting and rotational play to build depth for future seasons.
• Academic Balance: As with all Ivy League teams, athletes maintained rigorous academic standards, limiting practice time compared to scholarship programs.
• Recruiting Pipeline: The program relied on regional scouting and academic-athletic fit, drawing players primarily from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

Comparison at a Glance

Here's how the 2013 Cornell Big Red compared to other Ivy League teams in final standings and key statistics:

The data shows that Cornell outperformed Princeton and Columbia but fell short of the top half of the league. While their point differential was negative, the team remained competitive in most conference games, losing three Ivy matchups by a touchdown or less. The season reflected a transitional phase for the program under new leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a building block for future improvements in the Cornell football program, setting the stage for gradual development under Kent Austin. Though not a championship contender, the team demonstrated resilience and growth over the course of the year.

• Laying groundwork for 2014: The experience gained in 2013 helped younger players mature, contributing to a better 2014 season.
• Coaching continuity: Kent Austin's second year provided stability after a period of program turnover and inconsistent results.
• Competitive balance: Despite a losing record, Cornell remained competitive in most games, losing four by a touchdown or less.
• Academic-athletic model: The season exemplified the Ivy League's commitment to student-athlete balance without athletic scholarships.
• Recruiting momentum: Improved performance helped attract stronger recruits in subsequent classes.
• Historic program continuity: The season maintained Cornell's unbroken streak of fielding a football team since 1887.

While the 2013 Big Red didn't achieve a winning record, it played a key role in the long-term rebuilding effort and demonstrated the challenges and values of Ivy League football.