ITHACA, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 19 Ithaca College football team hits the road for the second straight weekend as the Bombers travel to Alfred University for a 1 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, September 18 at Yunevich Stadium. The Bombers are 2-0 on the season after a 23-8 win over then-No. 20 Brockport last Saturday, while Alfred is 0-2.
COVERAGE
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ALL-TIME SERIES: Ithaca owns an all-time record of 40-18-2 against Alfred dating back to 1933 – the second longest rivalry for the Bombers. IC has won each of the past two meetings by scores of 21-13 in 2018 and 27-9 in 2019.
Ithaca's largest margin of victory against the Saxons took place in 1997 – a 52-7 win. On the other side, Alfred's most lopsided victory was a 41-0 shutout in 1954.
In 2019, Alfred took a 3-0 lead with 11:05 in the first quarter but it was all Bombers from there, as IC scored 27 straight points to come away with a 27-9 victory.
LAST TIME OUT: Ithaca improved to 2-0 on the season as the Bombers took down No. 20 Brockport, 23-8, on September 11 at Bob Boozer Field behind a masterful defensive effort. The IC defensive unit forced six turnovers on the day and scored one touchdown as the Bombers defeated Brockport for the first time since 2014. The six takeaways in the game were the most for an IC defensive unit since 2012, when the Bombers forced Hartwick to turn the ball over seven times on six interceptions and a fumble.
AWARDS HANDED OUT TO SLYWKA, BAHAMONDE: Nicholas Bahamonde went 3-for-4 in field goals and made both PAT attempts in Ithaca's 23-8 victory over No. 20 Brockport, as he was named Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the Week. Bahamonde was successful on field goal attempts at 35, 42 and 29 yards. He also averaged 53.6 yards on eight kickoffs.
Derek Slywka played a major role in Ithaca's 23-8 win at No. 20 Brockport. Slywka recorded two interceptions and blocked a punt, to go along with three tackles. Ithaca forced six turnovers on the day in its first win against Brockport since 2014. He would be named Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week and D3football.com Team of the Week.
JUMPING INTO THE TOP 25: On September 12, D3football.com released its weekly Top 25 Poll and Ithaca made the leap from receiving votes to No. 19. Ithaca was last ranked during Week 9 of the 2019 season (November 2). The Bombers moved up to as high as No. 8 that season.
SCOUTING ALFRED: The Saxons are 0-2 on the season after a 35-3 loss to Hobart to open the season and a 33-14 setback to Mount St. Joseph last week. Alfred has allowed 390 yards a game and has gained 217.5 yards per outing.
Kevin Bragaglia leads AU in rushing with 54 yards in 10 attempts, while Blake Van Woert has thrown for 111 yards.
Jeremiah Young paces the defense with 24 tackles and Joe Copp has 15 tackles thus far.
UP NEXT: Ithaca has a bye week next Saturday and will host Hobart on October 2 at 1 p.m. for Alumni Weekend.
