Utica, N.Y. -- The #20 Bombers (3-1, 1-0 Empire 8) rallied from a 10-point third-quarter deficit to beat Utica (2-2, 0-1 Empire 8) in their Empire 8 opener. Senior running back Thomas Bergerstock (Webster-Thomas/Webster) ran for three touchdowns and 115 yards as the Bombers improved to 9-0 all-time against the Pioneers. Ithaca's five takeaways included two interceptions apiece from sophomore cornerbacks Mike Conti (Hand/Brandford, Conn.) and Spence White (Sleepy Hollow/Yonkers).

Conti's interceptions both set up fourth-quarter scores – a 29-yard field goal by sophomore Andrew Rogowski (Canisius/East Amherst) with 14:25 left and the winning touchdown – an eight-yard run by Bergerstock with 9:02 to go.

White picked off a pass in the end zone late in the second quarter and added a pick-off deep in Bomber territory with 5:04 left in the game.

Like Conti, White intercepted the first two passes of his career. Freshman defensive end Owen Kugler (Highland Park/Highland Park, Ill.) caught a fumbled lateral on the game's final play after the Pioneers had completed a short pass to their own 19. The Bombers have 15 takeaways (against seven turnovers) through four games.

Bergerstock capped Ithaca's opening drive with a two-yard scoring run after the Bombers took the opening kickoff 63 yards in nine plays. After Utica scored twice in a 1:21 span of the first quarter, Ithaca tied the game on another two-yard Bergerstock scoring run and a Rogowski extra point.

Bergerstock eclipsed the 1,500-yard career total (raising his total to 1,542 yards) and moved into ninth on the program's scoring list with 144 points.

Rogowski added field goals of 20 and 29 yards in the second half and stretched his extra-point streak to 25.

Conti collected a career-best 10 tackles, including one for loss. Sophomore linebacker Ryan Clarke (Archbishop Spaulding/West Friendship, Md.) led Ithaca with 11 tackles. Sophomore linebacker Joe Gilfedder (Governor Livingston/Berkeley Heights, N.J.) added nine tackles and a pair of pass break-ups. White matched a career-high with eight stops.

Senior end Adam Drescher (Christian Brothers Academy/Fayetteville) made three tackles for loss among his six total. Senior defensive tackle Joe Goetz (New Hyde Park Memorial/New Hyde Park) was in on a pair of tackles for loss.

Senior quarterback Brian Grastorf (Niskayuna/Rexford) completed 21 of 36 passes for 252 yards. He's recorded five 200-yard passing efforts in six career starts and now ranks seventh on Ithaca's all-time passing list with 1,977 yards.

Junior wideout Thomas Vossler (Saranac Lake/Loon Lake) led Ithaca's receivers with five catches and junior wide receiver Dan Ruffrage (Notre Dame/Whitesboro) caught four passes.

The Bombers continue Empire 8 play Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. game at Hartwick.

Box score