PROVIDENCE--Statistics don't always tell the true tale.

Cornell dominated Brown in nearly every statistical category Saturday, yet it was the Bruins who came through with the big plays on both sides of the ball in crucial situations to defeat the Big Red, 23-15, here at Brown Stadium.

Brown's victory knocked Cornell from the unbeaten ranks and allowed the Bruins (3-1 Ivy League) to take a half-game lead over four teams--including Harvard--in the race for the Ivy title.

The Big Red won the statistical battle, outgaining Brown 374 to 288 in total yardage, held onto the ball for seven minutes more than the Bruins, and doubled its host's first down total, 20-10.

But the Bruins won the war, burning the Big Red with the big play. Senior quarterback Mark Donovan scampered 66 yards to score on an option play and Dan Kohls blocked a Cornell punt to set up another score.

Late in the second quarter, cornerback Darryl Heggans and defensive lineman Bill Perry combined to stop Cornell fullback Bill Young for no gain on a crucial fourth-and-icnhes play at the Bruin 31.

"That was the turning point," Cornell Coach Maxie Baughan said. "They stop us on fourth down, and then they shove the ball down our throats."

Donovan, along with receivers Tom Smith and Jamie Simone, did most of the shoving, combining for three consecutive completions for a total of 49 yards in Brown's second quarter scoring drive.

Kirk Little (18 attempts, 62 yards) went over the top from the Cornell one with 55 seconds remaining in the first half to tie the game at nine.

"That was a very big sequence," Brown Coach John Rosenberg said. "We felt we were going into the locker room winning."

And four minutes into the second half, Brown took the lead as Donovan ran 66 yards on an option. After outrunning the Cornell defense to the corner, Donovan broke a tackle at midfield and coasted into the endzone to put Brown ahead for good, 16-9.

Cornell (4-1 overall, 2-1 Ivy) retaliated six minutes later with a time-consuming 14-play, 81-yard drive. Dave Quarles capped off the drive with a 24-yard field goal to cut the Brown lead to four.

But three minutes later, the next Big Red drive stalled, and sophomore Kohls broke through to block the subsequent punt, recovering the ball at the Cornell seven.

"They were blocking me one way," Kohls said, "and [specialty teams coach] Steve Reese saw something and told me to go the other way. I did, and I came straight up the middle, untouched."

After a Bruin holding penalty, junior fullback Lane Wood went up the middle, shook off two tacklers at the two and went in standing up to give the Bruins a 23-12 lead.