ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College football team will make its highly-anticipated return to action this Saturday, September 4, as the Bombers host Bridgewater State University at Butterfield Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Once the opening kick is sent down the field, Ithaca will officially compete in its first game since November 23, 2019.

GAME COVERAGE

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ALL-TIME SERIES/BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Ithaca and Bridgewater State have never played each other in football. Ithaca went 8-3 in 2019, while Bridgewater State was 6-4. The Bears are a member of the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference and reside in Bridgewater, Mass.

IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING: Both squads have not played a football game November of 2019. The Bombers' last game took place at Butterfield Stadium on November 23 against Washington & Jefferson, while Bridgewater took one Massachusetts Maritime on November 16.

SPECTATOR POLICY: We strongly recommend that all visitors to our campus be vaccinated against Covid-19. Ithaca College policies and COVID-19 protocols have been developed with information issued by the NCAA and Liberty League, along with state and local health authorities.

Outdoor facilities (Butterfield Stadium): Face coverings are encouraged for all spectators.  Face coverings and six feet of distancing where possible are required for unvaccinated individuals at all times.

IN THE RANKINGS: D3football.com released its preseason poll in late-August, and Ithaca was tied for second in receiving votes with Bridgewater (Va.) with 45 points. The Bombers were ranked for a majority of the 2019 season and reached as high as No. 7 in the national rankings.

MANY NEW FACES, SOME FAMILIAR ONES: Most of the players competing on Saturday for the Bombers have had limited game experience. There are, however, a few familiar faces that will grace Butterfield Stadium this week – Andrew Vito, Donte Garcia, Michael Anderson, Billy Tedeschi, Jacob Cooney, Andrew Testani, Jake Villanueva, Brendan Martin, Antonio Valle, Ed Longest, Miles Haynes, Michael Roumes, Cade McDermott, Anthony Robinson, Kevin Schoch and Nicholas Bahamonde.

The players listed above appeared in at least six games during the 2019 season.

SCOUTING BRIDGEWATER STATE: It's a similar situation for the Bears in 2021, as many of the players from 2019 have departed. Bridgewater does welcome back its top receiver from two seasons ago – T.J Hairston – who hauled in 48 receptions for 569 yards and five touchdowns in 2019. The Bears' top tackler is also back – Steven Silvia – who notched 72 total tackles with 8.5 for loss and two sacks.

UP NEXT: The Bombers will head to No. 22 Brockport next Saturday, September 11 for a 1 p.m. kickoff.