The Hobart College football team will open Liberty League play at nationally-ranked Ithaca College Saturday, Sept. 30. Opening kickoff on Bertino Field at Butterfield Stadium is set for 1 p.m.
 
LIVE COVERAGE

• Video: www.ictv.org/live
• Radio: WEOS-FM (89.5/90.3)
• Stats: athletics.ithaca.edu/sidearmstats/football

 
FOR THE RECORD

• Hobart: 3-0, 0-0 Liberty
• Ithaca: 2-1, 0-0 Liberty
• Series: Ithaca leads 30-5

 
POLL POSITION
 
Ithaca will be Hobart's first nationally-ranked opponent of the season. The Bombers come into the game at No. 18 in the AFCA poll and No. 17 in the D3football.com poll. Since 2018, the Statesmen are 2-6 against ranked teams. Both wins were on Boswell Field: 10-9 over No. 23 RPI in 2021; 33-7 over No. 6 Brockport in 2019.
 
BIG GAINS
 
Hobart piled up a season-high 504 yards of total offense in a 43-10 win over Keystone last week. The Statesmen rushed for 269 yards (7.5 yds/att) and passed for a season-high 235 yards (18.1 yds/comp). Hobart scored on each of its first seven possessions against the Giants.
 
Quarterback Johnny Colombi was named the Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week after passing for a career-high 225 yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 56 yards, including a 48-yard TD. First-year running back E.J. Taylor was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Week for his play against Keystone. He was the game's leading rusher, turning 11 carries into 99 yards, including a 38-yard TD late in the first half.
 
WELL RESTED
 
Ithaca has had two weeks to prepare for the Statesmen. The Bombers last played on Sept. 16, posting a 22-0 shutout at Alfred. Quarterback AJ Wingfield completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nicholas Matos and rushed for a 2-yard TD of his own to lead the offense. Senior linebacker Jonathan Koumas led the defense with nine tackles.