FULL GAME NOTES
ITHACA, N.Y. – On Saturday afternoon, November 3 at 12 p.m., the Ithaca College football team will make the short trip north to Geneva to take on Hobart College in a Liberty League matchup at Boswell Field. Ithaca brings a 6-2 overall record and 3-1 mark in the Liberty League into the contest, while Hobart is 4-3 and 2-1.
GAME COVERAGE
VIDEO | LIVE STATS | RADIO | TWITTER
STATISTICS
ITHACA | HOBART | LIBERTY LEAGUE
ALL-TIME SERIES: Ithaca and Hobart have squared off 31 times dating back to 1961. The Bombers hold the all-time series lead, 26-5, including a 24-21 victory at Butterfield Stadium last year. Ithaca's last loss to Hobart came on the road in 2016 when the Statesmen were ranked No. 25 in the country and won, 23-3. Ithaca and Hobart have an even split (4-4) over the last eight games of the series.
Ithaca's largest margin of victory over the Statesmen took play in 1988 as the Bombers won, 58-0. The next season, IC topped Hobart, 63-7. Hobart's largest victory was 23-3 in 2016.
FIRST HOME WIN IN 2017: The Bombers victory over the Statesmen last year marked the first home win of 2017 and led to the Bombers winning six out of their last seven games of the year. It was also head coach
Dan Swanstrom's first win in front of the Ithaca faithful.
MUD BOWL: The Bombers defeated St. Lawrence on last Saturday, 28-6, in what has been called 'Mud Bowl 2018' on South Hill. The rainy conditions turned the Butterfield Stadium grass into a complete mud pit midway through the first quarter. The Bombers celebrated their Senior Day in the mud by outgaining the Saints, 322-104.
NCAA STATISTICAL LEADERS: The Bomber defense continues to be one of the best in Division III. Ithaca remains at ninth in scoring defense, allowing opponents to a stingy 9.1 points per game, and is ninth in red zone defense (47.8%). Ithaca is also up to 10th in rush defense, giving up only 58.6 rushing yards per game, 11th in total defense (227 yards per game), 18th in first down defense (108), 21st in third down defense (27.6%), 24th in turnovers (20) and 26th in passing efficiency defense (97.85).
REGIONALLY RANKED: In the first release of NCAA Division III Regional Rankings, Ithaca landed at No. 9 in the East Region.
GLADNEY GAINING GROUND: With four catches for 74 yards last Saturday, junior receiver
Will Gladney is three catches away (148) from tying the career receptions mark of 151. His 74 receiving yards brings him to 2,086 for his career. He is also four touchdown catches away from matching the career-record mark of 22.
NABI UPDATE: With his performance against St. Lawrence (7-of-17 for 119 yards) sophomore quarterback
Wahid Nabi continues to climb the ladder in the Ithaca record book. Nabi currently is sixth all-time in completions (332), seventh in passing attempts (535), seventh in passing yards (3,950) and tenth in touchdowns (24). Nabi spiraled his way onto ESPN, as his 23-yard underhand completion to
Kendall Anderson made it on to SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays on Saturday night, Monday morning and Wednesday evening.
Â
LIBERTY LEAGUE HONORS: Junior
Kendall Anderson and junior
Nick Garone were named Liberty League Offensive and Defensive Performers of the Week for their efforts against St. Lawrence. Anderson logged a career-best 120 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns, while Garone notched nine tackles, 3.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a forced and recovered fumble.
D'AMICO COMING OUT PARTY: Senior defensive back
RJ D'Amico earned significant playing time Saturday vs. St. Lawrence and capitalized on the opportunity. D'Amico recorded five tackles – second most on the team Saturday – to go along with an interception and four pass breakups. He would be named to the D3football.com Team of the Week for his performance.
SCOUTING HOBART: The Statesmen are 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in Liberty League play. Hobart opened the season with a 56-7 loss at No. 6 Brockport but has since pulled off wins over Morrisville State (62-24), Shenandoah (56-48) and Rochester (52-7). The Statesmen averaged 56.6 points per game in those victories. Hobart comes into the game against Ithaca looking to avenge a 31-24 loss at No. 17 RPI last Saturday. Hobart averages 36.3 points per game on the season, which is the best in the Liberty League.
The Statesmen are led in passing by junior quarterback Ryan Hofmann, who has completed 62.8% of his passes for 1,596 yards and 19 touchdowns.
The Statesmen have a three-headed rushing attack composed of Alex Milliken (49 carries, 258 yards, two touchdowns), Brian Haeffner (42 carries, 206 yards, three touchdowns), and Dante Kimbrough (32 carries, 132 yards, three touchdowns).
Hobart's defense is allowing 31.6 points and 384.4 yards per game this season.
UP NEXT: The Bombers head to Cortland next Saturday, November 10, for a 12 p.m. kickoff in the 60th Cortaca Jug Game. IC leads the all-time Jug series, 35-24, after securing a 48-20 win last season.
