ITHACA, N.Y. – The 158th All-American in Ithaca College football history was announced to kick off the New Year, as senior safety Jake Connolly was named First Team All-American by D3football.com. This is the 26th annual D3football.com All-America team, one of two recognized by the NCAA for inclusion in their record book (along with the AFCA). 

Connolly, the Liberty League Co-Defensive Player of the Year and First Team honoree, as well as D3football.com Region 2 First Team, started all 10 games this season in the secondary and finished the year with 86 total tackles to lead the team. He was also tops in the program with two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Connolly also added 5.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and six pass breakups.

The senior captain was also named D3football.com Team of the Week for the second time in his career and landed on the Liberty League weekly honor roll in six different weeks this season.

Within the Liberty League, the Salem. Mass. native ranked fourth in total tackles at the conclusion of the regular season, was first in forced fumbles and second in fumble recoveries.

For his career, Connolly racked up 225 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, five interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and 11 pass breakups in 39 career games.

Connolly joins his father, Scott, as just the second father-son duo in IC football history to be named All-Americans. The other tandem is Bob and Nick Garone.

Ithaca went 6-4 this season and played against four NCAA Tournament teams, including three nationally ranked foes and the 2023 defending national champions. Despite the tough schedule, the IC defense allowed just 12.5 points per game and Connolly was at the center of that success.