ITHACA, N.Y. – Hilbert College Football opened Liberty League play Saturday afternoon against Ithaca, falling 76-6 at Jim Butterfield Stadium. Despite the result, the Hawks controlled possession for more than 36 minutes and were highlighted by a defensive touchdown from
Neven Dermady
Ithaca scored five touchdowns in the opening quarter to take a 35-0 lead and added two more scores early in the second quarter. Hilbert continued to battle throughout the half and put together its longest scoring threat late in the second quarter, driving to the Ithaca 10-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.
The Hawks got on the scoreboard with 3:09 remaining in the second quarter when Dermady stepped in front of a pass at the Ithaca 30-yard line and returned the interception 30 yards for a touchdown. The score marked Hilbert's first defensive touchdown of the season and cut the deficit to 49-6.
Hilbert controlled possession for much of the second half, owning the ball for 10:44 in the third quarter and finishing with a 36:04 to 23:56 advantage in time of possession. The Hawks also held Ithaca scoreless in the third quarter while forcing a turnover on downs deep in Hilbert territory.
Offensively,
Jeremy Ganska led the ground attack with 52 rushing yards on 24 carries and added five receptions for 25 yards.
Noah Workman completed 8-of-14 passes for 47 yards, while
Nicholas West and
Ethan Krog each recorded two receptions.
On defense, Dermady finished with eight tackles, a tackle for loss, and the interception return touchdown.
Jamele Pritchett led the Hawks with nine total tackles, while
Zach Brown added eight tackles.
Marquez Velez contributed seven stops and
Sherrad Patterson II and
Amir Swanson each recorded six tackles.
Special teams also provided a bright spot, as Workman averaged more than 40 yards per punt and placed two punts inside the 20-yard line. Hilbert totaled 403 punting yards and recorded three punts of at least 50 yards.
UP NEXT:
The Hawks return to Hamburg for the team's home opener next Saturday against University of Rochester at 12 pm at St. Francis High School.
