ITHACA, N.Y. – The 2022 football season will kick off for nationally ranked No. 17 Ithaca College this Saturday, September 3, as the Bombers travel to Bridgewater State University for a 12 p.m. showdown at the Edward C. Swenson Complex.
GAME COVERAGE
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ALL-TIME SERIES: Ithaca and Bridgewater State have met once – a 52-20 win for IC to open the season in 2021. Ithaca racked up 614 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 266 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.
ITHACA IN SEASON-OPENING GAMES: Since 2000, the Bombers are 20-1 in season-opening games. IC has averaged 32.8 points and allowed just 11.1 points during that stretch.
The most points Ithaca has scored to begin a year was 66 against Saint Vincent in 2019.
IN THE RANKINGS: D3football.com released its preseason poll in late-August, and Ithaca landed at the No. 17 sport in Division III. The Bombers were ranked most of the season in 2021, finishing the year at No. 21.
WELCOME (BACK) COACH TOERPER: Michael Toerper will officially begin his tenure as head coach on Saturday. Toerper returned to South Hill in February 2021 after a two-year stint at Holy Cross. He was IC's defensive coordinator from 2017-19.
OUTLOOK FOR THE 2002 BOMBERS: IC welcomes back a total of 47 seniors and graduate students to the roster this season, along with 24 juniors, 23 sophomores and 36 freshmen. Of those 47 seniors (some fifth year) and graduate students back for 2022, 30 were listed in the two-deep for the final game of 2021. The Bombers also return 24 juniors and 23 sophomores to the squad, while also bringing in 36 to the freshman class. More than 45 players from a season ago saw action in at least four games and that experience should bode well for the Bombers as they navigate through a grueling 2022 slate.
IC went 8-2 last season and averaged more than 30 points per contest, while allowing just 11 points per outing.
All-Americans
Nicholas Bahamonde and
Jake Villanueva are back for their final seasons of competition, while All-Liberty League performers –
A.J. Wingfield,
Jalen Hines (Rookie of the Year),
Milli Haynes,
Antwan Robinson,
Michael Anderson,
Michael Roumes,
JoJo Puckey and
Colin Norton – all return to the lineup.
TICKET SALES FOR CORTACA JUG AT YANKEE STADIUM: Information regarding on campus ticket sales (students, faculty and staff) for the 63rd Cortaca Jug Game will be made available in the coming weeks. Tickets to the general public are still available on cortacajug.com.
SCOUTING BRIDGEWATER STATE: The Bears went 6-4 last season and averaged 29.4 points and 369.0 yards per game. BSU returns eight all-MASCAC players to the roster for 2022, which is picked to finish third in the conference.
Quarterback James Cahoon is back for the Bears after a 2021 season in which he threw for 2,308 yards and 18 touchdowns. Thousand-yard running back Adam Couch also returns for BSU as he scored 13 touchdowns a season ago and averaged 113.3 yards per game. Leading receiver, Kyle Torres, racked up 764 yards and seven scores last fall.
On defense, Bridgewater's top two tacklers are also back – Brendan Albert and Steven Silvia. Albert totaled 110 tackles, include 14.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks, to go along with five forced fumbles. Silvia had 104 tackles on the season with two interceptions.
UP NEXT: The Bombers host Brockport next Saturday, September 10 at 1 p.m. for the home opener at Butterfield Stadium.
