Cornell has at least one edge in Saturday's Ivy League opener against Yale as the Big Red lead in the State College Area High School football alumni count 3-2.

Backup quarterback Ben Ganter, reserve receiver Matt Kenney and defensive back Doug Suhey played with Yale senior defensive end Brady Hart and sophomore quarterback Brook Hart at the Pennsylvania high school powerhouse. As a matter of fact, the starting quarterbacks at State College in 2004, 2005 and 2006 were Brady Hart, Ganter and Brook Hart.

"(Ganter) was the quarterback after me and before Brook so there is a connection right there because he is one of our best friends. It is always interesting playing Cornell with a bunch of the same people."

Other tidbits from the weekly Yale football luncheon

Senior safety Larry Abare, who was knocked out of the Georgetown game with a concussion, was examined on Sunday and Abare tested at nearly 100 percent on his baseline test, an examination used to clear any players with head injuries.

Saturday's 1 p.m. game will be the first football game with new field turf at Schoellkopf Field. Considering that Yale coach Jack Siedlecki said that this is the fastest defense has had, could the fast track work to Yale's advantage?

Weekly awards need not to be taken too seriously but it was curious that Yale junior punter Tom Mante wasn't named the Ivy League Special Teams Player of the Week. Mante punted three times for 52 yards, his second punt was a 71-yarder and his final punt not only went for 46 yards, but was downed at the 3. He also kicked two field goals and made a tackle.