Ithaca, N.Y. - November 26, 2022 - The Springfield College football team had its 2022 campaign come to a close on Saturday as it dropped a hard-fought 31-20 decision to 10th-ranked Ithaca at Butterfield Stadium in the second round of the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
Springfield had its eight-game winning streak snapped to fall to 9-3 as it was one of the final 16 teams in the country left competing in the national tournament. The Bombers improved to 12-0 and will compete in the national quarterfinals next weekend.
It was an uncharacteristic afternoon for the Pride, which came into the game ranked No. 1 in the country in time of possession, but was only able to have the ball for a season-low 24:49 on offense. Additionally, the Pride had turned the ball over just seven times all season entering the contest, but committed four turnovers in the game, including three fumbles. Armando Torres (San Juan, Puerto Rico) directed Springfield to 303 yards of offense as he rushed for 103 yards and threw for 31, while Joseph Cannizzaro (Lincoln Park, N.J.) added a game-high 105 yards on the ground. DJ Brown (Wading River, N.Y.) was special on the defensive side of the ball, totaling a game-high 14 tackles and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Springfield limited to Ithaca to 4-of-14 on third down, although the Bombers finished the game with 411 yards of offense.
The Springfield defense came up with a huge play on just the fourth play of the game as Brown snagged an interception and raced 45 yards down the Pride sideline for the pick six as the visitors snagged a 7-0 advantage just 2:05 in the contest. After forcing a Bombers three-and-out, Springfield marched 56 yards in seven plays, with Torres getting free for a 43-yard scamper to set up a 23-yard field goal by Hutra at the 8:25 mark.
Ithaca would respond with a 13-play drive that lasted nearly six minutes as they punched in their first score of the game on a three-yard rush by Jake Williams. Springfield would benefit from another long Torres run, this time 29 yards up the middle, which set up Hutra's second field goal of the game as he cashed in 29 yards just 10 seconds into the second quarter. The Pride's defense came up with a huge stop on fourth down, as Aiden Lewin (Orlando, Fla). and Quinn Sweeney (Hanson, Mass.) made a key stuff to turn the Bombers over on downs with 10:02 left in the second quarter. However, Ithaca forced a fumble on the ensuing drive and four plays later, Jalen Leonard-Osbourne found the end zone from three yards with 8:18 on the clock.
Springfield would punt on its next offensive possession, and Leonard-Osbourne made a highlight reel one-handed catch down the Bombers sidelines and raced 49 yards to paydirt to put the hosts ahead, 21-13. However, Springfield put then put together a methodical drive, going 75 yards in 13 plays, as Cannizzaro muscled his way in from one yard out to make it a 21-20 contest with just 36 seconds on the clock to make it a one-point game heading into the half.
The Pride came up empty on its first drive of the second half, and despite Ithaca getting a great punt return to start their drive on Springfield's 16-yard line, a 26-yard field goal later sailed wide right to keep it a 21-20 game. Springfield was able to move the ball on its next drive, getting within Ithaca's 30 yard line, only to have the Bombers put a helmet on the ball to force their second fumble of the day. Eight plays later, Leonard-Osbourne again got behind the Pride's secondary for another long score, this time a 46-yard strike, as the lead grew to 28-20 with 4:30 left in the third. The teams traded punts before another Springfield fumble allowed Ithaca to tack on a 19-yard field goal with 4:22 left in regulation to make it a two-score game.
Springfield made one final push, but Ithaca's defense came up with an interception for their fourth turnover of the game to seal the victory.
For the latest on Springfield College Athletics, follow the Pride on social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Springfield "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.