The Ithaca College football team lost its first Empire 8 matchup 20–6 Sept. 24 to the undefeated Alfred University Saxons.

The Bombers were held to 169 yards of total offense and have yet to eclipse 200 yards in a single game this season. Senior quarterback Wolfgang Shafer completed 15 of 27 attempts, totaled 152 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions.

Second-string junior quarterback Adam Fron saw the field for the first time this year, entering the game in the first quarter after Shafer threw interceptions on the Bombers first two drives. Fron completed four of 10 pass attempts for 21 yards. Shafer would eventually return to the game with 1:33 left in the third quarter.

The game’s first points came five minutes into the game, when Alfred’s junior defensive back Jared Watkins intercepted Shafer, bringing it 25 yards to the endzone to make it 7–0. Shafer wouldn’t throw another pass until the end of the third quarter.

Alfred added a touchdown in the second quarter, capping off a 93-yard drive. Alfred senior quarterback Tyler Johnson hit senior wide receiver Brendan Buisch for a nine-yard score. Johnson finished the day with 116 yards and one touchdown.

On the ground, Johnson totaled 99 ground yards on 14 attempts. He punched one in from three yards with 1:40 left in the third quarter, making it 20–0.

The Bombers ran the ball 27 times, totaling negative four rushing yards. For the second game in a row, the Bombers quarterback was sacked six times.

The Bombers lone score came with five minutes left in the game, as Shafer connected with junior wide receiver JR Zazzara for a 27-yard score. This capped off a 16-play, 78-yard drive that lasted 6:44.

The final score from Yunevich Stadium was 20–6, and the Bombers moved to 1–2 on the season. The Saxons remained undefeated and are now 4–0. The Bombers next game is at 1 p.m. Oct.1 at Butterfield Stadium against Utica College.