ITHACA, NY – The 21st-ranked Alfred University football team scored the lone points of the second half, rallying from a four-point halftime deficit to claim a 20-17 victory over host Ithaca College Saturday afternoon in the season opener for both teams.
Ithaca led 17-13 at intermission after Bomber placekicker Dave Prudhomme booted a 37-yard field goal just before the halftime horn. The score held up until midway through the fourth quarter, when AU took over at its own 23-yard line following a punt. The Saxons marched 77 yards in 10 plays, going ahead 20-17 after a 26-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Bryce Morrison to junior wide receiver Jayden Gavidia with 7:51 left in regulation.
Ithaca and Alfred both turned the ball over on downs on their ensuing drives, with the Bombers getting a more chance to rally in the closing minute after taking over at their own 27 with 45 seconds remaining. On Ithaca's first play from scrimmage, however, AU sophomore cornerback Kyle Moore intercepted Ithaca's Adam From at the Bomber 30 and the Saxons ran out the clock.
"The defense came up big in the second half," AU head coach Bob Rankl commented. "Kyle had a huge interception to seal the game. I'm really happy to get an opening-game win at Ithaca."
The Saxons took an early 7-0 lead, taking the opening kickoff and driving 69 yards in nine plays, with senior tailback Maleke Fuentes scampering into the endzone from two yards out 5:10 into the opening frame. Morrison connected with first- year wideout Kenny Speed on a 39-yard pass play during the drive.
Ithaca made it to the AU 21-yard line on the Bombers' ensuing possession, but the drive ended with a missed 38-yard field goal try. The Saxons turned the ball over on downs on their next drive, then went three-and-out on their next possession. Ithaca knotted the game at 7-7 on the Bombers' next possession, with Fron tossing a 21-yard TD pass to wideout Will Gladney.
AU went three-and-out on its next three possessions before Ithaca took a 14-7 lead on Fron's 52-yard touchdown run. The Saxons answered on their next possession, driving 53 yards in five plays. A 16-yard scoring pass from Morrison to junior tight end Chris Harders (Shirley, NY/Longwood) with 2:58 left in the half capped the drive, but the PAT attempt failed and AU trailed 14-13.
Both teams went three-and-out on their ensuing possessions before Prudhomme's field goal with nine seconds left in the half.
Alfred tallied 347 yards of offense, with Morrison providing 239 on 17-of-29 passing with two touchdowns in his first career collegiate start.
"I'm really proud of how Bryce performed in his first start as a Saxons," Rankl said. "He got hit a few times and never shied away and made some big throws in the second half."
Gavidia caught five passes for 90 yards and a TD and senior wideout Rodney Etienne had six receptions for 53 yards. AU ran for 108 yards, with Fuentes gaining 66 on 25 carries.
Fron threw for 156 yards and a score on 13-of-29 passing, while Gladney had 10 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown as Ithaca accumulated 307 yards of offense. Fron also ran for a game-high 95 yards with a touchdown.
Junior linebacker Cole Reed and 10 tackles and senior linebacker A.J. LiCata had eight (1 ½ for loss) to lead the Saxon defense. Senior ends Ty Timmerman (three tackles for loss, one sack) and Toby Hale (two tackles for loss) each made five stops.
Linebackers Pat Minogue (10 tackles) and Dan Loizos (nine tackles) led the Bomber defense.
AU is idle next weekend and returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 16, when the Saxons host Empire 8 Conference foe Utica at 1 p.m.