ITHACA, N.Y.—The ninth-ranked Ithaca College football team shut out Hobart College 34-0 in Liberty League action this afternoon. The Bombers improved to 6-0 overall, 3-0 in conference play, while the Statesmen slipped to 5-2, 1-2.
 
For the second week in a row, the Statesmen played a scoreless first quarter. Ithaca outgained Hobart 87 yards to 44 yards in the first 15 minutes. The Statesmen benefited from their 19th takeaway of the season, a fumble recovered by sophomore Dante Kimbrough that halted a promising Bomber drive.
 
Ithaca opened the scoring just over five minutes into the second quarter. Joe Germinerio hit Andrew Vito on a 35-yard touchdown pass to cap a five-play, 85-yard drive. Not only did the Statesmen give up the seven points, but they also lost their leading tackler, junior Emmett Forde, on a targeting penalty that was called on a passing play over the middle.
 
Without Forde on the field, Ithaca was able to score on six consecutive possessions spanning the first and second half. The scoring surge improved the Bombers' record to 16-0 at Butterfield Stadium against Hobart.
 
On its ensuing possession, Hobart drove to the Ithaca 15, but had to settle for a 23-yard field goal attempt. Kicking from the left hash, junior Kyle Hackett's pushed his kick wide right.
 
Ithaca took a 14-0 lead into halftime when Will Gladney caught a fade from Germinerio with 20.1 seconds left in the first half. That completed a 10-play, 80-yard drive. Germinerio threw for 123 yards in the second quarter.
 
The Bombers had the ball to start the second half and needed 12 plays to go 59 yards to the end zone. Running back Donte Garcia scored on an 11-yard run to make it 21-0.
 
Hobart fumbled away its first possession of the second half and Ithaca tacked on a 32-yard field goal by Nicholas Bahaonde for a 24-0 advantage midway through the third quarter. The Bombers added another 10 points in the fourth quarter.
 
Kimbrough finished with a game-high 12 tackles for the Statesmen. Senior David McCarthy added nine stops, including a pair of tackles for loss.
 
Statesmen senior quarterback Ryan Hofmann completed 59 percent of his passes for 126 yards. Senior Jake Catalioto caught a team-high seven passes for 48 yards. Senior Brian Haeffner was Hobart's leading rusher with 55 yards on 12 carries.
 
Germinerio threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns. He was also IC's leading rusher with 45 yards on 11 carries. Vito caught a game-high eight passes for 06 yards and a TD. Gladney pulled in six passes for 111 yards and two TDs.
 
The Bomber defense was led by Ed Longest's eight tackles, including a pair of sacks.
 
Ithaca is the first team to hold the Statesmen scoreless since Sept. 16, 2000.
 
Hobart is off next Saturday, before returning to Boswell Field to host St. Lawrence on Nov. 2.