Ithaca Football Defeats Union, 37-18
Schenectady, N.Y. - The Ithaca football team (2-1) scored on the game's opening drive and never trailed in a 37-18 win at Union (0-3) Saturday at Bailey Field in Schenectady. Ithaca capitalized on five Union turnovers and the Bombers didn't turn the ball over at all in the game.
Junior quarterback Jason Hendel (Deerfield/Riverwoods, Ill.) made his first career start and accounted for three touchdowns in leading the Bombers to a victory. Hendel ran for a seven-yard touchdown on the game's opening drive, then tossed a 36-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Joseph Ingrao (St. Anthony's/Nesconset) in the final minute of the first half to send the Bombers to the locker room with a 27-7 lead. Hendel ran in again from 1-yard out in the fourth quarter to close out the scoring.
Senior placekicker Andrew Rogowski (Canisius/East Amherst) converted three field goals in three attempts, from 41, 21 and 31 yards and was 4-for-4 on extra-point attempts.
The Ithaca defense intercepted two passes and recovered three Union fumbles in the game. Junior safety Josh Liemer (Horace Greeley/Chappaqua) had his third interception of the season and recovered a fumble. Senior cornerback Spence White (Sleepy Hollow/Yonkers) had six tackles, a fumble recovery and two pass break-ups in the game. Those turnovers helped Ithaca control field position in the game and the Bombers averaged a drive start at their own 45-yard line.
Senior linebacker Joe Gilfedder (Governor Livingston/Berkeley Heights, N.J.) and senior safety Kevin Cline (Waldwick/Waldwick, N.J.) shared the team lead with eight tackles each. Junior linebacker Dan Cimino (New Paltz/New Paltz) made seven tackles.
Hendel became the ninth consecutive Ithaca quarterback to win in his first career start, dating back to a Greg Sheeler-led Ithaca win at Rensselaer at the end of the 2001 season. Hendel was 18-for-26 with 154 yards and the touchdown pass to Ingrao. He also carried the ball 17 times for 42 yards and two touchdowns, all of which were passing and rushing career-best totals. Ingrao was Hendel's preferred target on the afternoon with six receptions for 70 yards. Hendel completed passes to seven different receivers.
Sophomore tailback Sal Sulla (North Rockland/Stony Point) had 20 carries for 56 yards and junior running back Jarret Naiden (Easton Area/Easton, Pa.) rushed 11 times for 43 yards and a touchdown.
The Bombers have defeated the Dutchmen two consecutive years and snapped a five-game road losing streak. After a week off, Ithaca returns to action Oct. 1 at Hartwick.
Game Statistics and Play-by-Play