ITHACA, NY – Host Ithaca College used a big second half, scoring three touchdowns over the final 30 minutes to power past the University of Rochester football team 24-0 in a Liberty League conference matchup on Saturday at Butterfield Stadium.
 
The loss is Rochester's first of the 2024 campaign, as UR falls to 5-1 on the year and 1-1 in the Liberty League. Ithaca picks up a big conference victory, moving to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in the Liberty League.
 
Neither team could muster much offense in the opening half, with the Bombers taking a slim 3-0 lead into the locker room after Derek Baldin connected on a 24-yard field goal with just 14 seconds on the clock.
 
In the second half, Ithaca used three long touchdowns to pull away on the scoreboard. The first touchdown was a Nicholas Lang 68-yard catch and run on a crossing route from Matthew Parker in the third quarter.
 
During the fourth, Jalen Leonard-Osbourne had two rushing scores, both of which came from over 20 yards out.
 
The Bomber defense also played a big role in the victory, causing three turnovers on two interceptions and a fumble.
 
Ithaca's ground game proved strong, as the Bombers combined to rush for 287 yards against the Yellowjackets, including averaging 7.0 yards per carry. Jake Williams had the long run of the day, scampering 69 yards to set up an Ithaca score. He finished with 130 yards total, while Leonard-Osbourne added 102 rushing yards to go along with his two scores.
 
For Rochester, graduate student Daniel Papantonis rushed for 80 yards on 20 carries in the game. Ryan Rose completed 17-of-29 passes for 162 yards with two interceptions. Aidan Papantonis led the receivers with six catches for 50 yards, while Nick Wamp secured five receptions for 50 yards.
 
Luke Herter led Rochester's defensive effort with 11 tackles on the day. Victor Little chipped in eight and Happy Chane contributed seven stops. Jordy Tawa and J.T. Monahan each ended the game with multiple tackles for loss, while A.J. Bicksler finished with three quarterback hurries.
 
After a scoreless opening quarter, the Yellowjackets were in the midst of a promising 10-play drive that entered the Ithaca red zone, but coughed up a fumble on a quarterback scramble, coming away with no points.
 
UR's defense did a strong job on Ithaca's next two possessions, but Rochester gave the ball right back on interceptions both times, eventually leading to the Bombers getting a chance at the field goal just before halftime. Tommy Moran and Joe Spirra recorded the picks for Ithaca's defense.
 
After each team possessed the ball once in the third quarter, with both drives ending in punts, Ithaca built its lead to 10-0 following Parker's touchdown pass to Lang over the middle.
 
UR earned a first down on its next possession but saw its drive stall out near midfield after a big Bombers sack, forcing another 'Jackets punt.
 
Ithaca's next drive covered 70 yards in seven plays, with Leonard-Osbourne finishing it off, scoring from 25 yards out up the middle on the second play of the fourth quarter.
 
A pair of 3-and-out drives, one by each team gave the Yellowjackets decent field position with just over ten minutes left on the clock.
 
Rochester made its way down to the Bomber 1-yard line, aided by some big plays from Rose to Jackson Kane and Trey Johnson. But on fourth-and-goal, D. Papantonis was stopped for a loss, keeping the Yellowjackets off the scoreboard, turning the ball over on downs.
 
On the next play, Williams sprinted 69 yards to quickly flip the field and one play after, Leonard-Osbourne secured his second touchdown of the day, finding pay dirt from 28 yards.
 
The Yellowjackets now have reached their bye week, with UR's next game set for October 26 at home against St. Lawrence University.