In the football team’s 51st matchup against rival SUNY-Cortland, the Bombers retain the Cortaca Jug trophy for the third consecutive year, with a narrow 23-20 victory over the visiting Red Dragons.

The Bombers started strong with junior running back Dan Ruggiero rushing for a touchdown to give Ithaca a 16-6 lead going into halftime. In the second half, Ruggiero ran in another score to finish with 109 yards on the ground and two touchdowns, while sophomore Andrew Rogowski kicked three field goals to give the Blue and Gold the win.

Sophomore free safety Kevin Cline clinched the game for the Bombers, intercepting a pass from Cortland graduate student quarterback Alex Smith on the Red Dragons last drive of the game.

This three-peat is the first time in over a decade either team has managed to win three consecutive matchups, the Bombers being the last previous team to accomplish the feat from 1993-1995. Ithaca improves to 34-17 in Cortaca Jug competition.

Check back later for a full game story and recap.