ITHACA, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 13/15 Ithaca College football team travels to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for a 12 p.m. Liberty League kickoff at ECAV Stadium in Troy. In a pivotal league matchup, IC brings a 7-0 record to Troy, while RPI is 6-1.

COVERAGE

WATCH | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | GAME NOTES

STATISTICS

ITHACA | RPI | LIBERTY LEAGUE

ALL-TIME SERIES: Saturday marks the seventh all-time meeting between Ithaca and RPI. The Engineers own an overall record of 4-2 against the Bombers and have won each of the past four meetings, including all three matchups as rivals within the Liberty League.

Ithaca last defeated RPI, 27-10, in 2001 and won the first-ever meeting in 1946 by a 16-7 outcome.

SPECTATOR POLICY: As per Rensselaer's plan to return to campus-based operations of August 13, 2021, only RPI faculty, staff and students who are fully compliant with the Institute's COVID-19 protocols are allowed to attend games. External spectators are not permitted on Rensselaer's campus at this time. Additionally, pre- and post-game gatherings/tailgating in any campus location is prohibited; And access to ECAV or other campus restroom facilities to visitors is not allowed.

More information is available at https://covid19.rpi.edu/return-to-campus and
https://covid19.rpi.edu/announcements/2021-2022-academic-year-return-campus-planning

LAST TIME OUT: Ithaca cruised to a 51-7 victory over Buffalo State last weekend at Butterfield Stadium. The Bombers jumped out to a 17-0 first quarter lead and tacked on 24 more points in the second stanza to take a 41-0 advantage into halftime. After a third quarter TD from the Bombers made the score 48-0, Buffalo State found the end zone early on in the fourth to end IC's shutout bid. Ithaca capped off the scoring with a 22-yard field goal with just under three minutes left in regulation.

IC racked up 437 yards of offense with 28 first downs, as the Bombers posted 333 yards passing and 104 rushing. Ithaca made eight trips into the red zone on Saturday and scored seven times. Buffalo State had 250 yards of offense and turned the ball over three times – two interceptions, one fumble – and was sacked five times by the IC defense. The IC special teams until also blocked a field goal in the win.

LIBERTY LEAGUE AWARDS FOR BAHAMONDE AND TAKOR: Akap Takor recorded four tackles and an interception during Ithaca's 51-7 victory over Buffalo State. His interception, returned 22 yards, led to IC's second touchdown of the game, which took place in the first quarter.

Nicholas Bahamonde went 6-for-6 in extra points and made three field goals from 28, 21 and 22 yards in Ithaca's 51-7 win over Buffalo State. Bahamonde also sent four of his 10 kickoffs for touchbacks.

NATIONAL RANKINGS: Ithaca moved up to No. 13 in the AFCA Top 25 Poll and to No. 15 in the D3football.com national poll. RPI is receiving votes in both polls as well.

In statistical rankings, Ithaca is fourth in passing efficiency defense (76.2), eighth in red zone defense (50%), 10th in scoring defense (10.0 points per game), 25th in total offense (455.0 yards per game) and 28th in passing efficiency (160.2).

RPI ranks seventh in fourth down conversion defense (16.7%), 10th in passing yards allowed (130.4 yards per game), 17th in passing efficiency defense (94.4), 22nd in net punting (36.5 yards) and 28th in fewest penalty yards per game (39.4).

WHAT'S AT STAKE?: This weekend's Liberty League slate has a lot riding on postseason implications. Ithaca sits atop the standings at 4-0, while Union is close behind at 3-0. Hobart and RPI are tied at 2-1, but the Engineers hold the tiebreaker with a 10-9 win in early October.

Union and Hobart are playing each other on Saturday. Next week, IC and Union square off and then the Dutchmen and RPI play on November 13.

SCOUTING RPI: The Engineers are 6-1 on the season as their only loss came at the hands of Hobart after a point after try was blocked with under four minutes left in the game, which would have tied the contest.

RPI has played in four one-score games this season – a 21-20 win over Montclair, 14-10 victory against Stevenson, 24-16 win against Buffalo State and the 10-9 loss to Hobart. In the 38-22 win over Rochester, RPI led by three points at halftime, 17-14, before outscoring UR, 21-8, over the final 30 minutes.

RPI has forced 16 turnovers on the season and are a stingy defensive unit, allowing just 258.6 yards per game. The offense averages 324.4 yards and has capitalized on those takeaways.

George Marinopoulos has thrown 19 touchdowns this season and is completing 64.1% of his attempts. Nine different receivers have caught a touchdown this year, led by six from Peter Lombardi.

UP NEXT: IC closes out its regular season home schedule with a 1 p.m. kickoff against No. 11/12 Union on November 6.