RIPON, Wis. - Ripon defeated Cornell (Iowa) 31-13 Saturday afternoon to improve their season record to 3-0, marking the program's best start to a season in 10 years. The Red Hawks out-gained Cornell in total offense by a 412-301 margin, while their defense intercepted the Rams on two occasions.

Cornell (1-2, 1-1 MWC) put up a fight early, scoring the game's first points in the final minutes of the first quarter when Isaak Hahn hooked up with Tony Gomez for a 22-yard touchdown reception. Ripon (3-0, 2-0 MWC) would tie things up early in the second quarter when Jarrett Zibert found Braden Folbrecht for an 18-yard touchdown pass. Four minutes later, Zibert connected with Connor Ramage on an eight-yard touchdown throw to take the lead for good. Ramage added a four-yard TD run just before halftime to give Ripon a 21-7 lead at the break.

Zibert added a third touchdown pass in the third quarter when he found Kaipo Magsayo for a 34-yard strike. Erik Flores also contributed to Ripon's scoring with a 26-yard field goal mid-way through the fourth period.

Zibert completed 18-of-28 passes for 282 yards and three scores, while also gaining 40 yards on nine carries. Magsayo finished with a game-high six receptions for 91 yards and the touchdown. Ripon's defense was led by Brad Guell's 10 tackles (1.5 for a loss). Tyler Bair and Devin Smith each intercepted a pass, while Zach Gustafson and Quincy DiLoreto each registered a sack.

Ripon will now rest up on their bye week, before returning to action on October 2 against Illinois College. That game will begin at 1 p.m. at Ingalls Field in Ripon, and can be seen live at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.