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

Bombers Win Again

Another Saturday at Butterfield Stadium, another record-breaking performance for junior running back Thomas Bergerstock.

The Ithaca College Bombers football team won their fourth straight game, routing Springfield College 37-8. The win came on Family Weekend on the South Hill. Out of all the positives from the win, the biggest was Bergerstock’s performance in the running game.

The junior out of Webster, NY ran for 175 yards and four touchdowns on the day, and broke two distinguished Bomber records. His four scores gave him 20 on the season, breaking Jeff Whitman’s record of 19 back in 1992. In addition, his 120 total points scored also broke Jeff Whitman’s record which he also set during the ’92 season.

Bergerstock’s great performance can also be attributed to the offensive line, which created massive holes for him to run through and gave quarterback Dan Juvan extra room to work in the pocket. The front five, which was honored as the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week earlier this season, certainly deserved a lot of credit for leading the Bombers to another victory.

Now, Ithaca moves on from the easy part of their schedule and returns to the road for two very tough games to close out the season. This Saturday, the Bombers visit the Alfred Saxons with the Empire 8 title potentially on the line. Then, they head to Cortland on the 15th for the Cortaca Jug, where they could face an undefeated Red Dragons team. Should be an exciting finish to an already wild season!

Here’s a map showing the sites of Ithaca’s final two games as well as Thomas Bergerstock’s hometown of Webster, NY. For more on Saturday’s win, you can read this article.


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First-Time Friendzy

It’s always interesting when two teams face each other for the first time.

That was the case this past weekend when the Ithaca Bombers played host to the Frostburg State Bobcats on the gridiron. The two squads had never faced before and met on the field at Butterfield Stadium to claim the first bragging rights in the series between the two schools.

Frostburg State is located way down in Maryland, a long trip from IC, and certainly features a warmer climate than was the case on Saturday. Despite the sun, it was a brisk and windy afternoon on the South Hill, and it appeared to affect the Bobcats.

The Bombers, though falling behind early, took over the game midway through the first quarter and didn’t allow Frostburg any real shot at a comeback. The Bobcats struggled on the ground, especially after runningback Anton Wade was tossed from the game on an unnecessary roughness penalty. Through the air, they weren’t much better.

However, credit must be given where it’s due. The Bombers played one of their most crisp games of the year. They controlled the tempo both offensively and defensively. When they had the ball, Thomas Bergerstock put on a show on the ground, rushing for 4 scores and close to 200 yards. The offensive line was a big part of that, creating gaping holes to run through and protecting QB Dan Juvan.

Because of their efforts, the five-man squad earned the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week Award, the first time an entire line has won the award.

On the other side, Ithaca’s D made the stops when needed to and ignited some of the physical play with bone-crunching hits and contact.

All-in-all, Ithaca’s 51-24 win over the Bobcats is nothing tremendous, but it was a statement made by IC that even against a more formidable opponent than say…Norwich, the Bombers are a force to be reckoned with. Below, here’s a video I took of Ithaca running out onto the field at Butterfield Stadium. ENJOY!




--Michael Polak