ITHACA, N.Y. – In the first game played in nearly two years for the Ithaca College football program, the Bombers certainly did not disappoint the home faithful at Butterfield Stadium in a convincing 52-20 victory over Bridgewater State University on September 4. Ithaca racked up 615 yards of offensive in the win, which was the first time an IC team has eclipsed 600 yards since 1993 against Mercyhurst (611 yards).

Ithaca produced 348 yards through the air and 267 on the ground. The Bombers also recorded 29 first downs on the day. The 52 points scored are also the most since the Bombers put up 59 in a home season-opener against Mansfield in 1996.

The Bombers jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Michael Anderson scored the opening touchdown of the contest on a 47-yard completion from A.J. Wingfield with 12:36 on the clock.

Bridgewater State went three-and-out on its initial possession and gave IC fantastic field position after an 18-yard punt that spotted the ball at the BSU 43. The Bombers quickly moved down the field and capped off that drive on a 6-yard run from Jalen Hines to make the score 14-0.

IC had a change to go up 21-0 in the opening quarter but lost possession on a fumble at the BSU 6-yard line. The Bears rode that swing and completed a 68-yard pass to move into IC's red zone, but Anthony Robinson intercepted a pass in the end zone a few plays later. Robinson would intercept another pass later in the contest.

The Bears cut IC's lead to 14-7 within the opening three minutes of the second quarter on a 3-yard completion, but the Bombers regained the 14-point edge, 21-7, with 1:39 left in the half on Anderson's second touchdown of the game – this time an 86-yard catch-and-run.

Ithaca once again had a chance to punch in another touchdown after Robinson's second INT, but the Bombers threw their own pick in the endzone with 12 seconds left in the half.

As the second half got underway, Bridgewater found the end zone again on a 4th-and-1 from the 21-yard line. The Bears came out in a wildcat formation and ran up the gut for a 21-yard score at the 12:33 mark.

IC re-established its double-digit lead at the 4:10 mark, as Nicholas Bahamonde booted his first successful field goal of the season. Bahamonde's kick, which was from 26-yards out, gave IC a 24-14 lead. Bahamonde also made all seven point-after tries and boomed six touchbacks on the day.

The fourth quarter was full of scoring as the Bombers put up 28 more points and Bridgewater scored once.

Hines found the end zone for the second time on a 2-yard plunge just one minute into the fourth. Bridgewater scored a minute later to make the score 31-20, but the Bombers put the game away from there.

Andrew Vito scored on a 16-yard reception with 9:26 left to make the score 38-20 and then Jalen Leonard-Osbourne broke off a 62-yard run with 4:22 to go, which gave IC a 45-20 edge.

Ithaca capped off the game with a 2-yard run from Jake Williams with just under three minutes left.

Wingfield made his first collegiate start at quarterback on Saturday and finished the afternoon with 348 yards on 22-for-28 passing for three scores.

Anderson hauled in four passes for 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and recorded two punt returns for 27 yards. Vito recorded 83 yards receiving on seven catches and a score.

Hines paced the rushing attack with 88 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns, while Donte Garcia had 65 yards on 11 carries. Leonard-Osbourne ran for 60 yards on two touches and returned three kicks for 72 yards. Williams added 27 yards on the ground.

Defensively, Michael Roumes also picked off a pass and finished with five total tackles. Miles Haynes posted five tackles, while Sal Brito, Antonio Valle, Ed Longest and Jalen Martinez all notched sacks. Stephen Soravilla scooped up a fumble late in the fourth quarter as well.

The Bombers will travel to No. 22 Brockport next Saturday, September 11 for a 1 p.m. kickoff.