In starting the season 2-0, the Ithaca College football team cracked the top 25 weekly polls despite averaging less than 63 yards per game on the ground.

In extending their season-opening winning streak to three with a 38-18 Homecoming and Alumni Weekend win over Alfred University last Saturday, the Bombers discovered their rushing attack, breaking out for a season-high 253 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Tristan Brown led the resurgence in the rushing game, compiling a career-high 176 yards on only 17 carries (an average of 10.4 yards per carry) while scoring two touchdowns. Brown broke off runs of 64 and 52 yards in the win for his fourth career 100-yard rushing game.

Brown, who had three 100-yard efforts during his freshman season, missed time towards the end of his first year on South Hill due to injuries.

The explosive, speedy running back said he feels 100 percent healthy, and that he and sophomores Evan Skea and Dan Porter are ready to lead the No. 17/19 Bombers ground game in Saturday's big Empire 8 clash at Utica College (2-2, 1-1).

"We weren't too frustrated with the run game the first two weeks. We had earned wins and that's the most important thing," said Brown, who ranks seventh in the Empire 8 in rushing yards while averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

"We knew if we stuck with the run game we would eventually have a big game because our offensive line is so talented and can open up big holes for us. We have three great running backs and we've been working hard in practice. Last week it just clicked. We knew we had the talent and everything came together and the results were great."

Mike Welch, in his 22^nd season leading the Bombers, agreed and said it was encouraging to see Brown and his backfield mates rounding into form against Alfred.

"It was good to see Tristan back in form. He didn't play much in the preseason because of injuries, so he's just starting to get his rhythm, and he's an explosive runner. It was great to see," said Welch, who sports a 163-67 record in his Ithaca coaching career.

"We know that explosive plays need to be a part of our offense for us to score, and Tristan gives us that dimension. He really boosts our whole offense. The line did a great job creating those seams and giving him the opportunity to get to the next level. Evan has big-gain capability, speed and explosiveness as well and you will see some big runs out of him, too. We think we have two pretty good tailbacks."

Leading 7-3 over Alfred, Brown scored on a two-yard burst with 3:50 remaining in the second quarter to cap an eight-play, 73-yard drive and give the Bombers a 14-3 lead. On the drive, Brown broke off a 26-yard to set Ithaca up at the Alfred 30.

Holding onto a 14-10 lead in the third, it was Skea's turn to power the running game, accounting for 29 yards on five carries as the Bombers drove 65 yards in 12 plays to take a 21-10 lead.

The Saxons pulled within 21-18 with 10:03 remaining in the fourth before Brown's momentum-turning, 64-yard touchdown run. Brown darted for the sideline, made several tacklers miss, then cut back up field and ran into the end zone.

Brown credits his offensive linemen with opening up the holes that got the running game on track against Alfred.

The starters on the line include senior captain Scott Anderson, a three-year starter at left tackle. Anderson is joined by seniors Mike Arcuri (right guard) and Gideon Inkeles (center), junior Joe Vandenbos (right tackle) and sophomore Geoff Bell (left guard).

Bell stepped in against Alfred when senior Owen Watrous was hurt, and helped the line pave the way for a season-high in rushing yards.

On his long touchdown run, senior wide receiver Josh Oliver, all 5-foot-5, 160 pounds of him, had a huge block that allowed Brown to find the end zone.

"Our offensive line is great, they are the heart and soul of our offense and we're nothing without them," Brown said. "Geoff did a great job stepping in for us and we know that everyone who is called on will step up and play well. On my long touchdown run, the line and our receivers gave me big holes to run through and it was the most special run of my career. It was my first big run of the season and it felt great to get out there and break some tackles."

The Bombers (3-0, 1-0 Empire 8) closed the game by scoring the final 17 points, including a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown by sophomore Kenny Bradley to essentially clinch the win.

Junior Wolfgang Shafer completed 14 of 25 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing five times for 37 yards, including a 24-yard run.

Ithaca's stout 3-4 defense held Alfred to just 75 rushing yards on 29 carries, an average of 2.6 yards per rush. Sophomore Dan Loizos made a career-high 13 tackles (six solo stops) and added a sack, while senior Malik Morris was in on 12 tackles and broke up three passes.

Bradley and sophomore Jordan Schemm each finished with eight tackles for the Bombers, who limited Alfred to 5 of 18 on third-downs.

Schemm also broke off an 83-yard kickoff return following an Alfred field goal to set up Ithaca's first touchdown, a six-yard toss from Shafer to senior Kyle Hastings.

Ithaca is looking to start 4-0 for the second straight season. The clash with Utica will be televised on Time Warner Sports channel 323 in the Ithaca/Syracuse region.

The Bombers own a 13-1 lead in the all-time series, winning the first 10 contests before a 20-15 Utica win in 2011. Ithaca has outscored Utica 35.8 to 9.9 in the previous 14 matchups, though this year's Utica squad is averaging 35.5 points per game behind quarterback Teddy VanGalen, who ranks fourth in the nation among Division III student-athletes with 1,227 passing yards through four games.

The Pioneers average 170 rushing yards per game but will receive a stiff test from a Bombers' defense that ranks 18th in the country in rushing defense (68.3 yards per game, 2.33 yards per carry). Ithaca's defense ranks 22nd in the country in total defense (241.3 yards per game).

"The defense has been doing great. We've always believed you need to have a strong defense to play at a championship level, and our defense this year is proving that," Welch said. "Our defense has stiffened when we need them to, particularly when there's a sudden change of possession. Overall I'm very pleased with how our defense is playing."