GALESBURG, Illinois - The Prairie Fire football team dropped a close 28-21 Homecoming matchup to Cornell on Saturday.

Knox took a lead early when Kaile Williams rushed for a 45-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the game. Williams added another score in the last two minutes of the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead.

The Rams responded with a touchdown to open the second quarter and then scored again with 31 seconds before halftime to tie the game at 14-14.

Cornell added a score halfway through the third quarter to take a 20-14 lead. The Prairie Fire took a 21-20 lead two minutes later with a touchdown from Izayiah Hawes, but the Rams turned around with a touchdown pass on the very next play to retake the lead. They converted a two-point conversion and held on for the 28-21 victory.

Hawes led Knox with 81 rushing yards and a score. He also reeled in two catches for 19 yards. Williams added 76 rushing yards and the two scores. He also completed 8-of-15 passes for 73 yards.

Kolton Krutsinger led the Prairie Fire defense with two tackles for a loss. Nikko Deligiannis added an interception to prevent a Cornell score late in the first half.

"We started off the game with some great plays," said head coach Aaron Willits. "We really shot ourselves in the foot after the first quarter. We had a real chance to keep some momentum, but couldn't get much going after that."

Knox will return to action on November 4 as they host Lawrence in their final home game of the season.