ITHACA, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 12/13 Ithaca College football team will open Liberty League play this Saturday, October 1, as the Bombers travel to Hobart College for a 1 p.m. showdown at Boswell Field. IC is 3-0 on the season, while Hobart is 3-1.

GAME COVERAGE

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ALL-TIME SERIES/TODAY'S MATCHUP: Ithaca and Hobart will meet for the 34th time on Saturday since the rivalry began in 1961. Ithaca is 29-4 in the previous 33 contests, which includes a 28-21 victory last season at Butterfield Stadium to extend IC's record at home vs. Hobart to 17-0.

The Bombers have won each of the past four meetings against the Statesmen, while Hobart's four victories came in 2016, 2014, 2002 and 2000. In the Bombers' four losses to Hobart, IC has not scored more than 15 points in any contest.

Ithaca won the first 22 matchups from 1961 to 1999, with its largest margin of victory in 1988 – a 58-0 shutout.

COMING OFF A BYE WEEK: The Bombers were off last Saturday after its Week 3 win over Alfred on September 17. Since 2010, Ithaca is 9-2 coming off a bye week.

RECAP FROM ALFRED: Ithaca rolled at home against Alfred on September 17 with a 52-3 victory at Butterfield Stadium. IC racked up 505 yards of offense, which included 277 yards on the ground. The Bombers earned 30 first downs in the victory and went 10-for-16 on third downs. Ithaca also scored on offense, defense and special teams.

Michael Anderson was named Liberty League Special Teams Performer of the Week the following Monday as he returned a 58-yard punt for a touchdown. Jason Green recorded a 32-yard interception return for a score, while four different players scored on offense – Jake Williams (two TDs), Billy Tedeschi, Conner Hayes and Max Perry.

LUCKY 13: Through 13 career starts at quarterback, A.J. Wingfield has thrown at least one touchdown in each game. Wingfield extended his streak with an 8-yard touchdown completion to Tedeschi in the second quarter as he finished the game against Alfred with 191 yards on 17-of-24.

UPDATE FROM THE NATIONAL POLLS: Ithaca was No. 12 in the D3football.com Top 25 Poll after its win over Alfred but dropped to 13 this week as Bethel vaulted ahead of the Bombers, moving up eight sports, after a 28-24 victory over then No. 2 St. John's.

The Bombers did, however, move up to No. 12 in the most recent AFCA Top 25 Poll.

WHERE THE BOMBERS RANK STATISTICALLY: Through three games, the Bombers are beginning to solidify themselves as one of the top teams in Division III. Ithaca currently ranks within the top 25 in the following categories.

4th – Turnovers Lost (1)
6th – Kick Return Average (31.9)
6th – Sacks Allowed Per Game (0.33)
7th – Scoring Defense (5.7)
10th – Passing Efficiency Defense (82.3)
11th – Fewest Penalties (10)
11th – Third Down Conversion Defense (.222)
13th – Completion Percentage (.697)
14th – Fourth Down Conversion (.800)
19th – Fewest Penalty Yards (90)
21st – Tackles for Loss Allowed (4)
22nd – Total Defense (227.3)
24th – Scoring Offense (42.3)

LIBERTY LEAGUE PLAY BEGINS: Saturday marks the beginning of Liberty League action for six of the seven teams. Union and Buffalo State play each other, while RPI is at Rochester. St. Lawrence is off this weekend.

HALL OF FAME RECOGNITION: Next Saturday, October 8, Ithaca College will recognize its 52nd Hall of Fame class during halftime against Rochester. The night prior, IC will officially induct eight individuals and one team into its Hall of Fame.

SCOUTING HOBART: The Statesmen are off to a 3-1 start to the season and were nationally ranked until a Week 2 loss to Morrisville. Hobart began the season with a 36-6 victory over Alfred, but stumbled at Morrisville, 24-13, as the Mustangs scored on a pair of touchdowns on fumble recoveries. The following week, Hobart shutout St. John Fisher, 17-0, and dominated Keystone last week, 65-6.

Hobart is averaging 32.8 points per game and allows 9.0 points per contest. The Statesmen offense is well-balanced with 158.8 yards coming on the ground and 192.5 through the air.

Tim Denham leads the rushing attack with five touchdowns and 243 yards, while David Krewson has thrown six touchdowns with 555 yards.

The receiving corps is deep and talented as six different players have caught touchdowns and 13 players have at least one reception. Rane Daramola has 185 yards on the year with a pair of scores, while Chris Bartosic has 158 yards on nine receptions.

Defensively, Anthony Romano has 30 total tackles, including 5.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Peterson Monexant is close behind with 26 tackles and 4.0 for loss.

UP NEXT: Ithaca returns to South Hill for the next two weeks as it hosts Rochester next Saturday, October 8 for a 1 p.m. kickoff and then entertains St. Lawrence on the 15th.