The 1988 football team claimed the second national championship for the program with a 39-24 victory over Central in Phenix City, Ala. on December 10. The Bombers posted a 13-1 record during the season, setting a program record for wins. IC recorded three shutouts during the year and held opponents to 10 points or less in seven games. IC's only loss during the year came by one point to Cortland, but the Bombers avenged that setback and defeated the Red Dragons in the second round of the tournament.
Stagg Bowl Most Valuable Player Paul Parker rushed for 208 yards and three touchdowns in the championship game, as the Bombers ran for 408 yards in the win. Todd Wilkowski and Tom Pasquale combined to complete 11 of 15 passes for 116 yards. IC outgained Central, 524-289, in the game.
Touchdown runs of 23 and 26 yards by Parker, a five-yard scoring run by Wilkowski, and Matt Sullivan's 42-yard field goal helped Ithaca build a 25-8 advantage. The Dutchmen closed the gap to 10 points on a third-quarter touchdown, but on the following kickoff, Mike Scott scored on an 84-yard return. Parker's third touchdown put the game out of reach in the fourth.
Tom Knapp tied a Stagg Bowl and school playoff record with three interceptions, and Matt Herbst led the team in tackles with 11.
There were seven All-Americans on the 1988 national championship team – Parker, Scott, Lee Byrne, Dan Feldman, Daegan Gray, Marc Hudak and Rich Smith.
