After a terrible season, Cornell's chance to improve itself was delayed due to a lack of ice and the team didn't play its first practice until January 7.

Even though the team could practice on Beebe Lake, soft ice and rain made playing the game impossible.

Predictably, the delayed start caused the team to come out flat against the Tigers and the Big Red lost their opening game 0–5.

Coach Bawlf changed up his offense by swapping in Tilton at center with Burnett and started Kidd at left wing.

The changes seemed to work as Cornell dominated a good Penn team to earn their first win in almost 2 years.