ALL-TIME SERIES: The Ithaca College football team welcomes Union College to South Hill this Saturday in a crucial Liberty League matchup at Bertino Field at Butterfield Stadium. Ithaca is 16-4 all-time against the Garnet Chargers and has won each of the past four meetings, holding Union to 10 points or fewer in three of those contests. Since 2010, Union has only defeated IC once, 31-21 in 2019. The Bombers are 13-1 against Union during that stretch.
HALL OF FAME AND HOMECOMING WEEKEND: On Friday evening, the Ithaca College Department of Athletics will induct eight new members into the Hall of Fame as part of the 55th ceremony. At halftime, the newest class will be recognized at midfield.
BYE WEEK FOR THE LEAGUE: It was a quiet weekend in the Liberty League last Saturday, as all eight schools were on a bye.
BOMBERS COMING OFF A BYE: Ithaca has been nearly unbeatable coming off a bye week as the Bombers are 15-3 since 2006. IC has also won each of its past five games off a bye.
LIBERTY LEAGUE OUTLOOK: The final stretch of the season is upon us, and the Bombers have two of their toughest games of the season coming up against Union and RPI. IC is 4-0 in the Liberty League, while Union and RPI are both 3-0.
LAST TIME OUT: Ithaca improved to 5-1 on the season with a 24-7 win at St. Lawrence on October 11. IC outgained SLU, 416-232, and held the Saints to just 54 yards rushing on 26 attempts.
Ithaca scored the game's first touchdown midway through the second quarter and then St. Lawrence knotted things up at 7-7 five minutes later. It was all Bombers from there with a field goal to close out the half and two second half touchdowns to account for the 17-point win.
Matthew Parker threw for 170 yards and a touchdown, while
Michael Reed was 5-for-5 for 73 yards and another score.
Chris Scully rushed for 124 yards on 24 carries and did not lose any yards on the ground.
IC's defense racked up nine tackles for loss and four sacks, to go along with an interception.
HAVE A DAY LANG: Nicholas Lang had the best game of his career in the win at St. Lawrence as he hauled in 15 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns. Lang was one reception shy of tying the school record set by Josh Oliver in 2015.
DEFENSE CONTINUES TO HOLD STRONG: For the fourth straight week, the Bombers defensive unit held its opposition to less than 10 points. It was also the fifth straight game in which their opposition was restricted to fewer than 250 yards of offense.
Heading into the matchup with Union, the IC defense ranks 13th in third down conversion percentage (28.9%), 16th in first down defense (80), 16th in scoring defense (13.2), 18th in passing yards allowed (152.0) and 18th in total defense (241.3).
SCOUTING UNION: The Garnet Chargers are 4-2 on the season and bring a four-game winning streak to South Hill. Following losses to No. 4 Susquehanna (33-14) and No. 23 Cortland (30-6), Union has averaged 34.0 points over the four victories, while holding its opponents to 10.3 points.
The offense runs through quarterback Patch Flanagan, who has accounted for 16 of the team's 19 touchdowns this season. Flanagan has rushed for eight touchdowns on 82 carries for 568 yards and has thrown for eight more scores with 1,183 yards through the air. He has, however, thrown eight interceptions this season.
Michael Dinardo is the next leading rusher with 253 yards and a score, while Gil Rivera leads the receivers with 26 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns. Dan Quinn is another receiver to watch with 235 yards on 12 grabs, which includes a 99-yard touchdown.
The Union defense wreaks havoc in the backfield with 49 tackles for loss and 17 sacks. Daniel O'Leary has 12.5 tackles for loss, while Logan Miller has notched four sacks. John Droggitis leads the team with 46 total tackles.
UP NEXT: The Bombers remain at home next Saturday, November 1 for Senior Day and Parents Weekend against Buffalo State. Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
