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ALL-TIME SERIES:
Ithaca and Buffalo State will meet for the 31st meeting dating back to 1988. IC is 20-10 against the Bengals over the previous 30 contests and has won the last five games. Over the past four meetings, IC has scored at least 48 points, including a 62-0 shutout win last year.
LAST TIME VS. THE BENGALS: In last year’s meeting at Butterfield Stadium, Ithaca clinched its second straight Liberty League championship and set multiple school records against the Bengals. The Bombers produced 686 yards on offense to break a 39-year record set in 1984 when IC racked up 639 yards in an 82-0 win over Fitchburg State. IC also recorded six interceptions from five different players to set another school record.
RECAP VS. RPI: Ithaca has found its stride over the past two Liberty League games, outscoring its opposition, 57-14, in wins over Rochester and RPI. Last Saturday, the Bombers put up a 33-14 win over the Engineers, which were the most points scored against RPI in the rivalry. IC dominated the first half and led 24-7 at the break, racking up nearly 300 yards. The lead grew to 33-7 midway through the fourth quarter before the Engineers got back on the board in the final two minutes.
Jalen Leonard-Osbourne rushed for 75 yards on 15 carries and threw a touchdown pass, while Jake Williams had 34 yards rushing and 57 yards receiving with a score. Nicholas Lang caught seven passes for 141 yards and two scores, while Nicholas Matos also scored a touchdown on five receptions for 65 yards.
EXPLOSIVE PLAYS: On Saturday, Ithaca recorded all four touchdowns outside the red zone on scoring plays of 50, 24, 31 and 67 yards. The only two times IC entered the red zone last Saturday, the Bombers settled for 18- and 22-yard field goals from Derek Baldin.
Although it might seem rare to score four or more touchdowns from outside the red zone in a game, IC has accomplished that feat four times since 2018. In fact, IC scored four times outside the 20 against Buffalo State last season (37, 80, 68, 36) and five times in an NCAA contest against UMass Dartmouth in 2022 (21, 35, 33, 60, 21). The Bombers also hit explosive scoring plays against St. John Fisher in 2019 (57, 35, 30, 36, 32) and Utica in 2018 (79, 43, 33, 23).
LL HONORS: In the win over RPI, Matthew Parker played the best game of his young career as he finished with 282 yards and three touchdowns on 19-of-24 passing. Parker would be named Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week.
JLO TRACKER: Leonard-Osbourne continues to climb the ranks in numerous career categories and enters Saturday’s game within striking distance of three more milestones. He currently has 2123 career rushing yards and is 233 away from moving into ninth all-time. He’s also just 10 carries (354 to 364) away from cracking the top 10 and is 140 yards shy of fifth all-time in all-purpose yards (3341 to 3481).
Leonard-Osbourne ranks 12th in Division III with 149.5 all-purpose yards per game.
LL PICTURE: Heading into the final few weeks of the season, Hobart leads the Liberty League with a perfect 3-0 record with remaining games against Union, RPI and Rochester. The Bombers are in second at 2-1, while UR and Union are 1-1. RPI and St. Lawrence are 1-2 and Buffalo State is 0-2. The regular season champion earns the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship.
NCAA STAT LEADERS: IC remains one of the most disciplined teams in Division III as the Bombers fourth nationally in fewest penalty yards (147) and fewest penalty yards per game (24.5). IC is also 11th in fewest penalties (22) and 10th in fewest per game (3.7). The Bombers have also snuck into sixth in fourth down defense at 21.4-percent and are 14th in defensive passing efficiency at 99.1.
SCOUTING BUFFALO STATE: The Bengals are 2-4 on the season and have matched their win total from last year. Another victory for BSC will mark the most for the program since 2017. Buffalo State has defeated Hilbert (42-6) and Alfred State (12-0) this year.
The Bengals average 250 yards of offense per game and 11.2 points, while the defense allows 321 yards and 25 points per outing.
Ale Wilson is the leading rusher with 302 yards on 65 carries, while two quarterbacks have split time. Amir Cameron has thrown for 520 yards and six touchdowns and Noah Kimble has passed for 312 yards. Their main receiving threat is Mikai Johnson, who has 277 yards on 15 receptions, and the second option is Tariq Nelson with 15 catches for 169 yards and two touchdowns.
Sincere Green is the player to watch on defense as he leads the team with 52 total tackles, 11 tackles for a loss of 75 yards and three sacks for 23 yards.
UP NEXT: Ithaca remains on the road next Saturday, November 2 for a 1 p.m. matchup with Union in Schenectady.
