ITHACA, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 22 Ithaca College football team makes its long-awaited return to Butterfield Stadium for the 2019 season as the Bombers open their home schedule against Alfred University on Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Ithaca (1-0) and Alfred (2-0), former Empire 8 Conference foes, will square off for the 60th all-time meeting this weekend.

COVERAGE

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STATS

ITHACA | ALFRED

ALL-TIME SERIES:
Ithaca has an all-time record of 39-18-2 over Alfred dating back to 1933. This Saturday's game will mark the 60th meeting between the two schools, which is the second-longest rivalry for Ithaca. These two team last faced off on September 15, 2018 with Ithaca coming out on top by a score of 21–13.
 
In last year's game between IC and Alfred, the Bombers were able to cap off a 13-point comeback to defeat the Saxons. After falling behind 13–0 at halftime, the Bombers scored 21 unanswered points to pull off the 21–13 victory.
 
Then junior, Isaiah D'Haiti, scored two rushing touchdowns, including a 1-yard score with just over a minute left to secure the victory.
 
In the last 10 matchups with Alfred, the Bombers have split the series 5–5.
 
KYLE SMITH NAMED TO D3FOOTBALL.COM TEAM OF THE WEEK:
D3football.com named senior Kyle Smith to their first weekly Team of the Week for his efforts on special teams against Saint Vincent on Sept. 7. Smith blocked two punts, including a return of 26 yards for a Bomber touchdown in the team's 66–28 win over the Bearcats in IC's season opener.
 
Smith is the 47th player all-time to be recognized by D3football.com's Team of the Week.
 
SAINT VINCENT RECAP:
The Bombers offense exploded in the 2019 opener as they defeated Saint Vincent by a score of 66–28 on Sept. 7. The Bombers have now started 1–0 in 21 of the past 22 seasons. The 66 points scored were the most-ever in a season opener and the victory was the 500th in program history.
 
Senior Joe Germinerio, who transferred to IC from Brockport in the off season, shined in his Bomber debut, as he tied the school record for touchdown passes in a game with six. Germinerio finished the day 27-of-37 passing for 303 yards.
 
Junior Andrew Vito led IC in receiving with 115 yards on nine catches and two touchdowns, while senior Will Gladney hauled in eight receptions for 89 yards and three scores. Senior James Jarvis notched his first career touchdown reception on a 20-yard completion.

Senior Dominick Pfisterer paced IC's rushing attack with 21 yards on four carries, which included his first career touchdown in the fourth quarter.
 
ITHACA MOVES UP IN TOP 25:
Following a bye week last Saturday, the Bombers moved up two spots to 22nd in the country in the latest D3football.com poll.
 
Ithaca's Liberty League rival RPI, fell out of the rankings after being upset by Worchester Polytechnic Institute by a 6-3 score.

SCOUTING ALFRED:
Alfred is 2-0 on the year after a 42-0 shutout of Thiel to open the year and a 15-14 victory against George Fox last Saturday.

The Saxons are averaging 401.5 yards of offense so far and allow 149.5 yards to their opposition. AU possesses a well-balanced running attack, which has rushed for an average of 271.0 yards through two games. Six different players have carried the ball more than 10 times thus far, including a team-high 25 from Aaron Griffin for 152 yards.

Casey Boston is 11-of-17 through the air for 174 yards and a touchdown, while Ben Burk is 8-for-11 for 70 yards and a score.

Defensively, Nick Milgate has notched 22 tackles on the year, including 16 solo stops. Milgate also has 6.0 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks, while Leo Pamphile also has 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.
 
2019 CORTACA:
The 61st Cortaca Jug Game will be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutheford, N.J. on Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. as part of an invitation from the National Football Foundation to celebrate the 150th season of college football in America. Tickets for the game are available through Ticketmaster on CortacaJug.com.

UP NEXT:
The Bombers will stay at home next week as they host St. John Fisher at 1 p.m. on Sept. 28. The matchup with St. John Fisher will mark the 22nd all-time meeting between the former Empire 8 Conference foes.