BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – #17 Ithaca College opened the 2022 season with a convincing 51-14 victory over host Bridgewater State University in non-conference football action on Saturday afternoon at Swenson Field.
The win marked the first collegiate coaching victory for Ithaca first-year head coach Michael Toerper.
Ithaca senior quarterback A.J. Wingfield (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) completed 14 of 17 pass attempts for 152 yards and touchdown, while classmate Max Perry (Wyndmoor, Pa.) came on late in the third quarter and finished 8 of 11 passing for 90 yards and a score. The duo combined to complete 22 of 28 pass attempts for 242 yards and two touchdowns.
Junior running back Jake Williams (River Vale, N.J.) paced the Ithaca ground attack with 94 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, while junior tailback Ryan Brozovic (Johnson City, N.Y.) added 40 rushing yards and two scores. Senior wide receiver Julien Deumaga (Gloversville, N.Y.) caught six passes for 84 yards and touchdown, and classmate Michael Anderson (Syracuse, N.Y.) hauled in six receptions for 87 yards.
Senior Anthony D'Addetta (Secaucus, N.J.) returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown to quickly get the Bombers on the board. The kick return came after a BSU delay of game penalty to start the game.
After Ithaca forced a punt, the Bombers put together a 17-play, 94-yard drive culminating in a Williams one-yard TD run to make it a 14-0 game.
Following an exchange of punts, the Bears capitalized on a roughing the punter penalty to keep a 14-play, 68-yard drive alive. Senior running back Adam Couch (Winchendon, Mass.) capped of the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to get Bears on the board with 11:54 remaining in the second quarter.
The Bombers answered with a 12-play, 67-yard drive with Wingfield finding junior wideout Sam Kline (Burt, N.Y.) in the end zone from ten yards out to extend the lead to 21-7. The key play of the drive was a Williams ten-yard run on a fourth and two conversion from the BSU 21.
On the next possession, a bad snap on a punt attempt went through the end zone for an Ithaca safety. After the free kick, the Bombers moved the ball 58 yards on eight plays with Hines converting a seven-yard touchdown run to give the visitors a 30-7 lead.
Ithaca had a chance to increase the advantage following an interception late in the first half, but a 49-yard field goal sailed wide right as time expired.
Brozovic punched in a pair of one-yard touchdown runs in the third quarter to give the Bombers a 44-7 lead.
A three-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback James Cahoon (Buzzards Bay, Mass.) to sophomore tight end Jalen Kopecky (Warren, R.I.) capped off a ten-play, 75-yard BSU drive late in the third quarter to make it a 44-14 game.
Ithaca answered with an 11-play, 77-yard drive with Perry hooking up with Deumaga on a 31-yard TD pass to put the finishing touches on the 51-14 victory.
The Bombers finished with a 462-249 advantage in total offense including a decisive 220-81 edge in rushing yards. Ithaca also held nearly an eight-minute edge in time of possession.
Cahoon finished 13 of 21 passing for 120 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Couch rushed for 60 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries and caught two passes for 25 yards. Senior Michael Nocera (Cumberland, R.I.) was the Bears' leading receiver as he grabbed five receptions for 44 yards.
Senior linebacker Brendan Albert (Canton, Mass.) paced the BSU defense with 13 tackles (seven solo), while sophomore linebacker Zachary Souza (Tyngsboro, Mass.) checked in with 12 stops (nine solo) and senior linebacker Steven Silvia (Dighton, Mass.) made ten tackles (six solo).
Senior linebacker Matt DeSimpliciis (Garden City, N.Y.) notched six tackles (four solo) including a sack to lead the Bombers' defensive effort. Sophomore linebacker Darren Brunner (Wyomissing, Pa.) recorded four solo tackles and the game's lone interception.
On special teams, BSU junior Shane Drake (Franklin, Mass.) averaged 39.8 yards on five punt attempts with a long of 49 and one inside the 20. He also averaged 60.8 yards on four kickoffs and converted both of his PATs.
Ithaca senior kicker Nicholas Bahomonde (Berryville, Va.) converted all seven of his point after tries and averaged 55.0 yards on eight kickoffs with one touchback. D'Addetta averaged 40.3 yards on four kickoff returns including his 96-yard TD.
The two teams were meeting for just the second time as the Bombers recorded a 52-20 victory last season out in Ithaca.
Both teams are back in action next Saturday afternoon at one. The Bears (0-1) travel to Biddeford, Maine to take on the Nor'easters of the University of New England, while the Bombers entertain the Golden Eagles of SUNY Brockport.