Ithaca, N.Y. — October 23, 2010 — The Ithaca College football team employed a smothering defense to defeat Springfield College this afternoon, 23-14, on an overcast day at Butterfield Stadium in an Empire 8 contest. With the win, the Bombers are now 5-2 overall, 2-1 in the conference. Springfield falls to 5-2, 1-2.

The score was 6-0, Ithaca, after one quarter, 9-0 at the half. It was 16-14, Ithaca, after three quarters.

Sophomore fullback Mike Davis (Madison, Conn.) and junior fullback Alex Mendez (Cranston, R.I.) scored touchdowns within 3:23 of each other in the third period for the Pride. Sophomore kicker Ricky Peacock (Tucker, Ga.) booted home both extra points. SC took advantage of a blocked punt, which led to the first TD. Earlier in the game, SC blocked Ithaca’s first extra point attempt.

Ithaca outgained Springfield overall, 323 to 193. In rushing it went SC’s way, 170 to 22. But in passing, it was 301 to 23 in the Bombers’ favor. First downs were 18-10 for Ithaca. Time of possession, a telling stat, was in Ithaca’s favor, 35:49 to 24:11.

Mendez led SC in rushing ith 50 yards and one TD on 13 carries. Junior quarterback Josh Carter (Marlborough, Mass.) had 36 yards on 17 carries. Davis followed with 33 yards and one TD on 15 carries. Senior running back and captain Joe Myhren (New Hampton, N.Y.) rushed for 24 yards on four attempts.

Carter had a tough day passing the ball. He was 4-for-15 for just 23 yards. He had no interceptions and was sacked once. Senior wide receiver John Schmaltz (Cromwell, Conn.) had three of those receptions for 12 yards.

For Ithaca, quarterback Rob Zappia was 28-for-40 for 301 yards and one TD. He did not throw an interception. Wide receiver Thomas Vossler had 121 yards and one TD on 12 receptions. Dan Ruffrage had 90 yards on eight catches. The leading rusher for the Bombers was Clay Ardoin with 35 yards on 17 carries. Ithaca’s leading tackler was DT Andrew Haim with 13. DE Matt Dibble added 11 stops

Defensively, junior inside linebacker Scott Christy (Monroe, Conn.) had a team-high 12 tackles, including six solos. Sophomore strong safety DeAndre Lawrence (Middletown, Conn.) followed with nine tackles, including four solos and one tackle-for-loss. Senior defensive tackle Cody Flanigan (Auburn, N.Y.) had eight tackles, including five solos. He also had one fumble recovery and one sack.

Next Saturday, Springfield will host Hartwick College, another Empire 8 foe, at 6 pm.