ITHACA, N.Y. – The Ithaca College football program will head to Buffalo State this Saturday to take on the Bengals at 3 p.m. Ithaca is 6-1 on the season and 5-0 in the Liberty League.
GAME COVERAGE
ALL-TIME RESULTS: Ithaca is 22-10 all-time against Buffalo State dating back to 1988. The Bombers are currently on a seven-game winning streak against the Bengals with the last six coming by more than 34 points in each victory. The last time Buffalo State won took place in 2015 with a 7-3 outcome.
LAST WEEK IN SCHENECTADY: IC remained perfect in the Liberty League following a 35-14 win at Union last Saturday. Ithaca picked up 23 first downs and racked up 319 yards of offense, while the defense forced three turnovers and recorded 9.0 tackles for loss.
It was a tight game early on, as the teams were tied at 14-14 late in the second quarter. IC then punched in a touchdown with 20 seconds remaining in the half to take a 21-14 lead. The Bombers then blanked Union in the second half and scored twice in the fourth quarter for the 35-14 outcome.
TOP PERFORMERS: Michael Reed passed for two touchdowns on 11-of-20 attempts for 179 yards and he scored once on the ground with 50 yards rushing.
Chris Scully found the end zone twice and finished the day with 90 yards on 20 carries.
Antwan Harvey and
Colin Schumm caught touchdown passes.
Defensively,
Joe Spirra and
Chase Smith each compiled nine tackles, while
Marcus Boyle,
Davin Foote and
Jake Green all had six stops.
LIBERTY LEAGUE HONORS: Henry Takacs and
Caleb Wandell received weekly awards from the Liberty League for their performances against Union.
Takacs was named the Defensive Performer of the Week after he totaled five tackles with 1.5 sacks and an interception.
Wandell averaged 43.2 yards on four attempts with a long of 56 yards and three punts landed inside the 20-yard line.
IN THE RANKS: IC ranks top 20 nationally in the following team categories: Punt Return Defense (2nd – [-1.0]), 1st Down Offense (5th – 187), 4th Down Defense (8th – 18.8%), Scoring Defense (8th – 10.4), Punt Returns (14th – 16.0), Total Offense (16th – 469.9), Rushing Offense (18th – 242.2), Rushing Defense (18th – 66.9), Scoring Offense (20th – 41.1)
EYEING SEVEN STRAIGHT: A win on Saturday will run Ithaca's winning streak to seven straight games. If the Bombers score more than 27 points, it will mark the first time since 2019 in which IC won seven consecutive games by scoring 27 or more points in each contest.
BATTLE FOR THE TITLE: A victory for IC on Saturday will set up a showdown with RPI next Saturday for the Liberty League championship. IC would be 6-0 in the conference and a win for the Engineers vs. St. Lawrence would make RPI 5-0.
SENIOR DAY: Ithaca will also honor its 31 seniors and their parents next weekend. Prior to the game, the underclass parents will be recognized as well.
CORTACA: The Bombers conclude the season against Cortland in the 67th Cortaca Jug Game presented by Visions Federal Credit Union at Yankee Stadium on November 14 at 1 p.m. Tickets for the game can be purchased on Ticket Master by searching 'Cortaca Jug'. It was also just announced earlier this week that the game will be broadcast on the YES Network.
ABOUT BUFFALO STATE: The Bengals are 1-6 on the season and picked up their first win last weekend against Hilbert, 39-27. Buffalo State averages 13.0 points and 268.4 yards per game and allows 47.3 points and 410.6 yards per contest.
JC Dixon leads the rushing attack with 508 yards and three touchdowns, while Amir Cameron has thrown for 803 yards and six touchdowns. Otho Cox is the leading receiver with 329 yards, while JP Plaisime has three touchdown catches and 274 yards receiving.
Brody Stevens is the top tackler with 44 total stops, including 26 solo tackles, while Andrew Williams Jr. has 43 tackles on the season with 5.5 tackles for loss. Adrian Anderson leads the unit with 7.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks.
UP NEXT: The Bombers host RPI next Saturday, November 7 at 1 p.m. for Senior Day and Liberty League finale.
