Ithaca, N.Y. — Ithaca College’s football team is off to a blazing fast start.
The team is 4-0. It has outscored its opponents 107 to 39 so far. Its ranking is in the top 15.
More importantly: It has sole possession of first place.
A D3 school, Ithaca ranks ninth in scoring defense.
Specialty teams have come through in a pinch.
Against Utica last Saturday, a blocked-punt returned for a TD gave the Bombers a commanding lead.
Freshman Trevon Perez-Tucker, who blocked the punt, was awarded the Empire 8 Special Teams Player of the Week.
Starting Quarterback Tom Dempsey has also been a big part of the team’s success.
Check out Dempsey’s numbers: 70 completions in 92 attempts. Nine touchdowns to two interceptions. 785 yards through the air.
Linebacker Kenneth Bradley has also been recognized for his efforts.
IC recently held Alfred 26 points below its season average. Bradley made 10 tackles, 9 of them solo.
He was later named the Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week.
Big challenges remain.
The highly-anticipated “Cortaca Jug” game will be played in Ithaca on Nov. 5.
Last year, the Bombers fell to Cortland in the game — which will probably be more remembered for the massive partying that accompanied it.
FINAL: CORTLAND 28, ITHACA 24. #Cortaca2013 #FourStraight #JugStaysHere pic.twitter.com/G4n4Zuo6wx — SUNY Cortland (@suny_cortland) November 16, 2013
This year, though, Cortland is 0-4. That should be an encouraging sign for the IC faithful.
On Saturday, Ithaca College football will be playing Buffalo State at home at Butterfield Stadium.
Here’s a look at the team’s schedule through Nov. 8:
You may want to make plans to see them now.
