When opposing players break through the Red defense’s front lines they know they’d better not cruise casually downfield for two reasons: senior safeties Tim Bax and Gus Krimm. The hard-hitting leaders of the Red secondary are known and respected throughout the Ivy League for their hustle and football instincts as well as their punishing tackles.

Senior co-captain Nathan Ford has worked on his patience and release over the offseason to improve his red zone efficiency.

Last year, Cornell had one of the top special teams units in the nation, and is happy to have a majority of its players return for the 2008 season. The Red found success in both the kicking and returning aspects, while also holding opposing teams to one of the lowest kickoff and punt return averages.

It’s difficult to tell from the statistics exactly what plagued the Red defense in 2007, but there’s no question that something was not clicking. One week it gave up four rushing touchdowns and 277 rushing yards but only 96 receiving yards and one touchdown pass. The next week, the squad allowed just 71 rushing yards but saw the opposing quarterback throw for 339 yards and four touchdowns.

“Football at Cornell goes back to 1887, you have to be able to have some respect for that and the product you put out there,” Knowles said. So, the coaches took away the C and went back to the basics. Full pads, full scrimmage, full contact, every day. For once, this was your father’s football.

After taking a hard hit following the graduation of veteran linebackers Ryan Blessing and Doug Lempa, look for the line to make some significant changes going into the 2008 season. Several upperclassmen with both defensive line and linebacker experience will come on in a full-time linebacker position to compensate for the losses.

The 2005 season was a turning point for tailback Luke Siwula, as well as the entire football program. Finishing with its first overall winning record (6-4, 4-3 Ivy) since 1999, optimism was on the rise. Cornell, however, was hoping for more than the last few years have brought.

The Red’s secondary has a little bit of everything — an all-Ivy caliber player, a consistent starter and inexperience. The unit will be headed by two-time All-Ivy selection senior Tim Bax at the free safety position and three-year starter Gus Krimm at the rover spot.

You can learn a lot of things at Cornell, but the one thing that you can’t learn is speed. You either have it or you don’t. Junior wideout Bryan Walters is one of the few who has it.

Remember when Kordell “Slash” Stewart played quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers and he also lined up as a wide receiver and running back? Cornell junior Stephen Liuzza is made from the same mold.