Box Score

UTICA, N.Y. -- The Ithaca College football team had five takeaways, including four interceptions, and quarterback Tom Dempsey threw three touchdown passes in a 26-21 win at Utica on Saturday afternoon in an Empire 8 contest. The Bombers are 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the Empire 8, while Utica is 3-3 and 1-2 in the conference. Ithaca stands in second place in the Empire 8 standings, one-half game behind 3-0 Salisbury.

Ithaca tight end Jared Prugar caught two touchdown passes, including the go-ahead score with 3:10 remaining in the fourth quarter. Prugar also scored on a 59-yard reception from Dempsey for the Bombers in the second quarter. That gave Ithaca a 20-14 lead with 3:19 remaining in the first half, and that was the halftime score.

Ithaca opened the scoring with a three-play, 28-yard drive that started after the Bombers recovered a fumbled punt by the Pioneers. Johnny Gorton-Parker recovered the fumble, and after two running plays, quarterback Tom Dempsey connected on a pass to Joel Lynch down the right hash and Lynch evaded a Utica tackler and scored from 27 yards out. It was the second touchdown reception of the year for Lynch.

Senior cornerback Mike Vulcano had two interceptions in the game. Linebacker Brian Hardenberg had an interception, and Brian Garvey intercepted a Utica pass with 3:03 remaining in the fourth quarter to limit a Utica comeback. The Bombers punted back to Utica with 56 seconds remaining in the game, and Mike Lopez's punt was downed at the 3-yard line. After four incomplete passes, Ithaca regained possession and ran out the clock.

Dempsey completed 13-of-27 passes for 169 yards. He connected on three touchdown passes and threw one interception. Rakim Jones had a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to give Ithaca a 13-7 lead, but the extra-point kick attempt was blocked.

Utica took a 21-20 lead on a 7-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter by Jake Larson with 10:32 left in the fourth quarter. That set up Ithaca's winning touchdown drive that covered 71 yards in 7:23 and was capped on the 3-yard strike from Dempsey to Prugar.

Rakim Jones finished with 87 yards on 28 carries. Tene Samuto ran 12 times for 31 yards. Lynch had five receptions for 75 yards. Prugar totaled 68 yards on three catches including the two touchdowns.

Jake Santora led Ithaca's defense with 11 tackles, and made a pass break-up on one of the Vulcano interceptions. Garvey had seven tackles.

Ithaca returns home to Butterfield Stadium on Oct. 28 for a 1 p.m. game against St. John Fisher.

BOMBER NOTES

The teams combined to commit eight turnovers in the contest.

With four interceptions in the game, Ithaca has totaled 10 through six games this season.

Kicker Max Rottenecker had a tackle and forced fumble on a Utica kickoff return in the first half.

It was Homecoming at Utica, the third homecoming or alumni weekend game that Ithaca has played in this year. The Bombers improved to 3-0 in those games, with wins at Buffalo State and Utica, and the Oct. 12 home victory over Alfred.

Sam Carney had four kickoff returns for 96 yards, including a 45-yard return

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