PHOTO GALLERY

The Saint Vincent football team opened the 2019 season with a 66-28 loss to Ithaca College in a non-conference matchup at Chuck Noll Field.

Bearcat quarterback Brady Walker completed a 26 yard pass to Phil Harding on the first drive of the game, moving the ball to the Ithaca 30, but a fumble turned the ball over to the Bombers.  Ithaca's All-America quarterback Joe Germinerio then went to work, completing four passes in six plays, including a 27-yard score to Andrew Vito to put the visitors in front, 6-0.  The extra point was missed.

On the next drive, the Bearcats were forced to punt from their own 37, and Kyle Smith came through the line and blocked the punt, picked up the loose ball and carried it 26 yards into the end zone.  A 2-point conversion made the score 14-0.  The Bearcats were once again forced to punt on the ensuing drive, and Smith came up with his second blocked punt of the game, giving the Bombers the ball at the SVC 33.  Four plays later, Germinerio threw a touchdown pass from 16 yards out to Will Gladney, as the lead increased to 21-0.

Later in the first, Germinerio connected with Vito for an 11-yard touchdown pass, putting Ithaca in front 28-0 by the end of the first quarter.

The Bearcats got on the board early in the second quarter.  Walker completed passes to Sam Nowicki (27 yards) and Keith Kalp (22 yards), to move the ball deep into Ithaca territory.  He then threw a timing pattern pass to Phil Harding, who made a tough catch in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown. Nick Srnka added the extra point, making it a 28-7 game.

After Ithaca put together an 11-play scoring drive to make it a 35-7 game, SVC scored again, thanks to a matching 11-play drive.  Walker and Harding connected twice for 44 yards on the drive, and Mike Stasko carried the ball the final yard into the end zone.  Srnka's kick made the score 42-14.  The Bombers added a score in the final minute, taking a 49-14 lead into the locker room.

After the teams traded punts to start the second half, SVC's Cody Henry sacked Germinerio and caused a fumble that was recovered by Cam Norris at the Ithaca 26.  Three plays later, Walker scrambled and evaded several defenders before finding Stasko in the end zone for what was credited as a 10-yard touchdown pass.  Srnka's extra point made it a 49-21 game.

With just over two minutes left in the third, Germenerio threw another touchdown pass from 20 yards out, putting the visitors in front 56-21. 

After an early fourth quarter Ithaca touchdown, the Bearcats added a score of their own.  After a 37-yard pass down the middle of the field by Walker to Nowicki, Walker hit Kalp for 11 yards, then ran for 9 yards on his own.  Stasko completed the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.  Srnka remained perfect on the day with his fourth extra point, making the score 63-28.

Ithaca added a 30-yard field goal by Nicholas Bahamonde to end scoring on the day.

Walker led the Bearcat offense with 25 completions on 39 attempts, good for 280 yards and two touchdowns.  Nowicki was his favorite target, catching 7 passes for 95 yards.  Harding had 5 receptions for 91 yards, while Kalp caught four passes, good for 48 yards.

Stasko, who had 3 catches for 28 yards, led the team on the ground with 18 carries for 47 yards.

Defensively, Jeremy Wodarek had a solid game, tied for the team lead with 9 tackles, including two for a loss, and two pass breakups.  Ben Davis also had 9 tackles, while Cam Norris had six, including 1.5 behind the line.  Micah Harris broke up three passes.

For Ithaca, Germinerio was 27-37 through the air for 303 yards and six touchdowns.  Vito had 9 catches for 115 yards, while Gladney had three TD receptions.  Antonio Valle and Michael Roumes each recorded 8 tackles.  

Ithaca recorded 25 first downs, while SVC had 23.  In overall yardage, Ithaca held a 413-327 advantage.

Saint Vincent will have a bye week before traveling to New Wilmington, Pennsylvania to face Westminster College in the Presidents' Athletic Conference opener on Saturday, September 21 at 1:00PM.