UNION GAME NOTES

ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College football team is set to kick-off the 2016 season this Saturday, September 3 at Butterfield Stadium against Union College at 1 p.m. Ithaca has won 18 consecutive season openers, and will look to extend its winning streak to seven-straight over Union on Saturday.

The Bombers return more than 30 players from a season ago which saw significant playing time last season, including 15 starters. Ithaca will also turn to its 21 seniors throughout the campaign to lead the Bombers through the grueling Empire 8 Conference and 10-game schedule.

Hall of Fame head coach Mike Welch, now in his 23rd and final season at the helm of the Bombers' program, is optimistic about the 2016 campaign.

"We're very excited about this season and know we will be better than last year," said Welch. "Overall, we link the attitude and work ethic that our players have shown throughout the spring workouts and preseason. They come focused to practice every day and have demonstrated great teamwork. Our upperclassmen have definitely stepped up since preseason started and have taken it upon themselves to lead the way this season."

On the offensive side of the ball, Ithaca welcomes back three linemen that saw action in a majority of the games in 2015 (junior Geoff Bell, sophomore Jake Bernstein and senior Joe Vandenbos), both running backs (juniors Tristan Brown – 641 yards, six touchdowns and Evan Skea – 106 yards, one touchdown), fullback (junior Brian Helmkamp – four catches, 61 yards), tight end (junior Jack Yule – 13 catches, 102 yards and two touchdowns), a trio of wide receivers (senior Brian Balsamo – 17 catches for 199 yards and one touchdown, junior Jared Bauer – 15 catches for 248 yards, and senior Myles LaFrance – six catches for 64 yards), and its starting quarterback (senior Wolfgang Shafer – 1,728 yards and 12 touchdowns).

The stout 3-4 defense that Ithaca brings to the field every Saturday is robust with talent once again. Senior Rob Barbieri will anchor the line, while fellow seniors Tyler Beauchesne and Peter Trathen return after a combined 12 games played last season. Ithaca's top two returning tacklers, juniors Kenny Bradley (70 total) and Dan Loizos (94 total), will once again be patrolling the middle of the field for the Bombers. In the secondary, seniors Skyler Kauf and Anthony Skretny IV, and junior Jordan Schemm are all back. The trio combined for 110 tackles and three interceptions in 2015.

Schemm will also serve as the Bombers' top returner, as he led all of Division III last season in kickoff return average at 37.6 yards per return. He notched a season-best 91-yard return for a touchdown against Hartwick and also brought a kick back 83 yards against Alfred to the 11-yard line.

Two positions that Ithaca needs to replace from a year ago are its kicker and punter after the graduation of Max Rottenecker and Brandon Steff. Sophomore Pat Minogue and freshman DJ Ellis will look to fill those voids in Week 1.

Union is coming off a 0-10 season in 2015. The Dutchmen averaged 19.9 points per game last year, but allowed 35.0 per contest. Both running backs return for Union, who combined to rush for 860 yards and five touchdowns.

The Dutchmen 3-4 defense brings back five starters, three of which notched over 45 tackles.

After this Saturday's game, the Bombers are off for a week. Ithaca will then head to Hobart on the 17th for a 7 p.m. game and stay on the road on the 24th against Alfred at 1 p.m.

The Bombers return home on October 1 for a 1 p.m. kick-off against Utica College. To view the rest of the 2016 schedule, follow this link.

GAME COVERAGE:

To access coverage for Saturday's game, please click on the links below.

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