Bombers Prevail Over Injuries, Alfred

*photo courtesy of the Ithaca Bombers Website*

If there has been one thing that’s plagued the Ithaca Bombers all season long, it’s been injury bug. However, great teams find ways to win despite injuries, and that’s what the Bombers did this weekend.

Ithaca triumphed over Empire 8-rival Alfred 43-35, clinching themselves at least a share of the 2008 Empire 8 championship. Not only did the Bombers win, but they basically did so without the likes of senior starting quarterback Dan Juvan or junior starting running back Thomas Bergerstock.

Both players went down with injuries early in the second quarter and had their shoes filled nicely by junior quarterback Brian Grastorf and sophomore running back Dan Ruggiero. Grastorf closed out the game going 9 of 16 passing for 161 yards and a 76-yard touchdown strike to Kyle Crandall. The real shining star was Ruggiero who ran for 192 yards on the ground and 4 touchdowns, becoming the second Bomber this year to run for as many scores in a game this season. Ruggiero averaged close to eight yards per carry in the win.

While Alfred had standout performances of their own – 220 receiving yards by Trevor Bork and three rushing scores from Vinson Hendrix – the Bombers were just a bit better but were better even with some back-ups playing. It was one of those games that any football fan would’ve loved to watch. There was great offense on both sides, lots of controversial calls, and excitement all-around.

Now, the Bombers can move on to next Saturday’s match-up with the Cortland Red Dragons in the 50th Annual Cortaca Jug. Not only are bragging rights on the line, but a potential playoff spot is as well for the Bombers. A win for Ithaca would leave them at 9-1 on the year, almost certainly guaranteeing them a playoff spot considering they would have beaten a Cortland team ranked 7th in the country before this weekend’s win over Brockport. However, many eyes will be on the game between Alfred and St. John Fisher. If Alfred can defeat the Cardinals, it would secure the Bombers the outright conference title and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Sure poses for some great college football!!

For more on the game, you can read this article. Here are the updated Empire 8 standings:

1st: Ithaca, 5-1 in Empire 8, 8-1 Overall
2nd: St. John Fisher, 4-1 in Empire 8, 6-3 Overall
3rd: Hartwick, 3-2 in Empire 8, 6-2 Overall
3rd: Alfred, 3-2 in Empire 8, 6-3 Overall
5th: Utica, 2-3 in Empire 8, 3-6 Overall
6th: Springfield, 1-4 in Empire 8, 3-6 Overall
7th: Norwich, 0-5 in Empire 8, 2-7 Overall

--Michael Polak