ITHACA, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 16/18 Ithaca College football team will look to extend its winning streak to six games on Saturday, October 21 as the Bombers travel to the University of Rochester for a 12 p.m. kickoff at Fauver Stadium. IC is 5-1 on the season, while Rochester is 5-2.

GAME COVERAGE

WATCH ($$) | LISTEN | LIVE STATS | GAME NOTES

STATISTICS

ITHACA | ROCHESTER | LIBERTY LEAGUE

ALL-TIME SERIES: Ithaca and Rochester will meet for the sixth time since 2017 and the fourth occasion held at Fauver Stadium. The Bombers are 5-0 all-time against the Yellowjackets with an average margin of victory of 38.6 points per outing. IC won last year's matchup at Butterfield Stadium, 56-10.

IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT: With last Saturday's win against Union, the Bombers are in sole possession of first place in the Liberty League with a 3-0 record. IC needs to win two of its next three games to clinch its second consecutive Liberty League title and another automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

RECAP FROM UNION: IC topped Union on South Hill, 17-9, and held the Garnet Chargers to 34 points below their scoring average for the season. Ithaca outgained Union, 318-290, and forced two turnovers to deal Union its first loss of the season. Derek Slywka was on the end of both takeaways with a fumble recovery and interception that sealed the victory with two minutes left in regulation.

Jalen Leonard-Osbourne rushed for 130 yards on 23 carries and a touchdown, while Sam Kline caught seven passes for 106 yards. Ben Stola paced the defense with 15 total tackles, including 2.5 for loss, while Jake Connolly had 12 tackles and a forced fumble.

LIBERTY LEAGUE AWARDS: Following his two takeaways against Union, Slywka was named Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week as he also notched two tackles. He is the third straight defensive player for the Bombers to earn a weekly award from the Liberty League.

CORTACA TICKETS AVAILABILITY: Ithaca College announced on October 17 ticket information for the 64th Cortaca Jug Game, which will be held at IC on November 11 at 12 p.m. IC community members – students, faculty and staff – will be able to pick up tickets October 30-November 1 at the outdoor ticket window at the Athletics and Events Center. There is a limit of one ticket issued per student ID, and students may bring one additional ID of a friend or classmate to procure a maximum of two tickets. Faculty and staff can receive a maximum of two tickets per ID and may bring up to two additional IDs of colleagues for a maximum of six tickets. An allotment of tickets has also been reserved for alumni and will be available for purchase through the Division of Philanthropy and Engagement. There will not be any tickets sold at the game. 

STAT RANKINGS: IC ranks within the top 20 nationally in the following categories – turnovers lost (5^th), fumbles lost (7^th), sacks allowed (11^th), interceptions thrown (12^th) and red zone defense (17^th). Individually, Ben Stola ranks 15^th in tackles per game, while Derek Baldin is 10^th in field goal percentage.

MAINTAINING POSITION IN NATIONAL POLLS: Ithaca dropped from 15th to 16th in the latest D3football.com Top 25 Poll and stayed put at 18th in the AFCA Poll.

MORE ABOUT THE YELLOWJACKETS: Rochester is having its best season since 2006 and 2007 when the Yellowjackets went 7-4 and 6-5 during those two years. UR is currently 5-2 with its two losses coming by a combined seven points to Utica (20-17) and Union (21-17).

The Yellowjackets average just under 28 points per game and allow 19.1, while yardage is even at 356.6 per contest.

Daniel Papantonis, a 2022 All-American, has rushed for 594 yards on 106 carries and seven touchdowns this season, while Will Varney has 370 yards and three scores on 81 touches. Ryan Rose completes over 61-percent of his passes and has thrown for 1415 yards and 12 touchdowns.

On the receiving end of those Rose passes, are Trey Johnson with 53 receptions for 558 yards and Aidan Papantonis with 41 grabs for 455 yards.

Defensively, Happy Chane has racked up 58 total tackles, while Jordy Tawa has 46 stops and two interceptions. Simon Weeren, Nolan Ragland and Jack Yensel all have over 40 tackles on the year.

Alex Wing has been a special teams weapon for the Yellowjackets all season with five punt traveling over 50 yards, with a long of 62, and 15 punts landing inside the 20-yard line.

UP NEXT: The Bombers return home next Saturday, October 28 for a 1 p.m. kickoff against Buffalo State. Next Saturday will serve as Family Weekend for the football program, and the athletic department will honor the newest hall of fame class at halftime.