ROCHESTER GAME NOTES

ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College football team returns to action this Saturday, October 7, for its third consecutive Liberty League contest, as the Bombers head to the University of Rochester for a 12:05 p.m. kickoff at Fauver Stadium. Ithaca will attempt to win its third straight game of the 2017 season in what will be the first-ever meeting between IC and Rochester.

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FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING: Saturday's meeting will be the first-ever between Ithaca and Rochester despite the two schools only be separated by 91 miles. Along with that, Ithaca has sponsored football since 1930 and Rochester started its football program in 1889.

Ithaca has won 485 games all-time, while Rochester has prevailed 534 times. The Bombers have posted one undefeated season in program history (1965), while Rochester has produced two unblemished seasons (1952 and 1958).

LAST TIME OUT: Coming off a bye week, Ithaca picked up a crucial Liberty League win over Hobart, 24-21, at Butterfield Stadium on September 30 to run the Bombers' all-time record against the Statesmen to 26-5, including a 15-0 mark on South Hill.

Ithaca amassed 497 yards of offense in the game, behind a three-headed attack from senior Tristan Brown, sophomore Will Gladney and freshman Wahid Nabi.

Brown rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns, including the game-winner on a 2-yard run with just 42 seconds left in regulation. On an 8-yard jaunt in the second quarter, Brown became the 10th running back in school history to eclipse 2,000 career rushing yards.

Gladney did not allow his career afternoon two weeks ago at St. Lawrence to stand for long, as he hauled in 12 catches for 183 yards and touchdown against Hobart last Saturday. His touchdown came on a jump ball in the third quarter from 22 yards out.

Nabi also followed up his first collegiate start with another breakout performance. Nabi completed 29-of-45 attempts for 343 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 26 yards.

HONORS KEEP ROLLING IN FOR NABI: For the second consecutive week, Nabi was selected as the Liberty League and ECAC Rookie of the Week.

GLADNEY AMONG THE BEST IN DIII: After his back-to-back 180-plus yard receiving games, Gladney has vaulted towards the top of multiple NCAA Division III receiving rankings. He currently ranks third in the country in receiving yards per game at 136.3, eighth in receptions per game at 8.8 and 10th in total receiving yards with 545.

STINGY KICKOFF RETURN DEFENSE: Through four games this season, Ithaca on average, allows its opposition to return kickoffs 13.21 yards. That stingiest and attention to detail ranks the Bombers eighth in the nation among 243 schools ranked.

Against Hobart, the Bombers kickoff unit surrendered just 57 yards on five kicks.

SCOUTING THE YELLOWJACKETS: Rochester is also 2-2 on the season and Saturday's matchup will be the Yellowjackets' Liberty League opener. UR has posted wins over Alfred State (14-7) and Becker (28-10) this season, and has dropped a pair to Carnegie Mellon (42-14) and Alfred (45-7).

Rochester averages 15.75 points per game and surrenders 26.0 points a contest. The Yellowjacket offense racks up 351 yards per outing (202 passing, 149 rushing).

Through four games, Rochester is allowing 244.5 yards on the ground and 168.5 passing. In their losses, the Yellowjackets allowed 319 yards rushing to Carnegie Mellon and 425 to Alfred. In the wins, UR gave up an average of 116.5 yards rushing.

Running back Emanuel Calmar is UR's main offensive weapon, as he averages 121.75 yards rushing per game. Calmar owns totals of 487 yards and three touchdowns this season, with an astounding 233 yards on 36 carries against Becker. He was named Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week for his breakout game.

UP NEXT: The Bombers will face another tough test next Saturday, October 14 as they head to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

STATISTICS:

ITHACA | ROCHESTER | LIBERTY LEAGUE