Football 10/3/2009 10:28:17 PM Hartwick SI

#20 Ithaca Hangs on for 24-20 Win Over Hartwick Football

Football 10/3/2009 10:28:17 PM Hartwick SI

#20 Ithaca Hangs on for 24-20 Win Over Hartwick Football

ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick College fell four points short of staying unbeaten on Saturday as #20 Ithaca escaped Wright Stadium with a 24-20 win. Trailing by four, the Hawks had a pair of possessions late but the Bombers, who entered the game ranked 12^th nationally in turnover margin, picked off Hartwick quarterback Brian Radley (Herkimer, NY/Dolgeville) for two of their four takeaways on the day to seal the win.
Radley would finish the game with career-bests of 47 attempts, 30 completions, and 399 yards for the Hawks. He also threw for three touchdowns. Five different receivers caught at least four passes with leading receiver Noah Koreman (Albany, NY/Albany) registering two touchdowns on four catches for 74 yards.

          Ithaca was paced by quarterback Brian Grastdorf who threw for 353 yards and three touchdown on 30-for-40 passing. Thomas Vossler made nine catches on the day for 113 yards and two scores.
          The Hawks trailed 24-13 with just over seven minutes left in the third quarter after IC's Grastorf hit Dan Higgins for a five-yard touchdown and Andrew Rogowski hit his subsequent extra point. After both teams punted on their next possessions, Radley would lead Hartwick on an impressive 8-play, 97-yard drive to dig back into the contest. Tosh DeMulder (Unadilla, NY/Unatego) and Nate Rockefeller (Delhi, NY/Delaware Academy) rushed for 20 yards in the drive and Radley was a perfect 5-for-5 capped by a 40-yard TD hookup with tight end Keith Geraldsen (Ravena, NY/Ravena Coeymans Selkirk) to cut the lead to four points.
          The Bombers drove to the Hartwick 35 on their next possession and were denied on fourth down on an incomplete pass after a big tackle for a loss by Chad Rockefeller (Delhi, NY/Delaware Valley) on 3^rd down. Rockefeller would tie for a team-high 10 tackles and recorded three tackles for a loss including a sack.
          IC's defense stopped the Hawks on their next drive forcing a punt back to the Bombers. The visitors then ate over five minutes off the clock before 'Wick got the ball back at its own 20 with under two minutes to play in the game. Joe Gilfedder would intercept Radley on his second pass and it appeared the Bombers had the game won with 1:47 remaining. IC looked to cut more of the clock on the ground with runs by Thomas Bergerstock but stops by Jordan Spirou (Westbury, NY/W.T. Clarke), Brett Radley (Herkimer, NY/Dolgeville), and Rockefeller would allow the Hawks one more possession.
          'Wick got the ball back with 41 ticks left on the clock and Radley quickly moved the Hawks down the field as DeMulder made a big 28-yard reception. On 3^rd and 10, however, IC's Spence White closed the door on the comeback as he intercepted Radley's throw down the field and the Bombers ran off the final 15 seconds for the win.
          Koreman caught a 32-yard pass for a touchdown in the first quarter for 'Wick's first points of the day. He added another TD reception for 16 yards early in the third stanza. DeMulder would close out the day with 56 yards rushing to pace 'Wick's ground game. He added five catches for 68 yards. Nate Rockefeller rushed for 32 yards and caught seven passes for an additional 68. Geraldsen led the Hawks with 88 yards receiving including the big 40-yard score in the third quarter. Ryan Mosack (Oneida, NY/Oneida) caught four passes for 43 yards. Dan Ruffrage (84 yards) and Higgins (71 yards) each caught six passes to bolster the IC's passing attack.
          Chad Herring led all tacklers on the day with 12 for IC. Eric Toporoff added 10. Gilfedder registered two of the Bombers' four picks.
          Spirou tied Rockefeller with 10 hits for the Hawks. Matt Brown (Londonderry, NH/ Bridgton Academy) added nine and Mark Theophel (Green Island, NY/Catholic Central) and Nick Gonzalez (Danbury, CT/Somers) each had eight.
          Hartwick is on the road next weekend at unbeaten Alfred (4-0). Game time is slated for Saturday, Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.

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