ITHACA, N.Y. -- The Washington & Jefferson College football team erased a 17-point third quarter deficit in a 20-17 comeback victory over host Ithaca College in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Asa S. Bushnell Bowl Saturday afternoon in upstate New York.
The game-deciding touchdown came on a 50-yard interception return for touchdown by junior cornerback Delonta Nunnally (Waldorf, Md./Thomas Stone) with 6:42 to play.
Mike Williams (Pittsburgh, Pa./Langley) was named Most Valuable Player, as the senior defensive lineman recorded six tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and his first career interception. Williams finished his senior season with 11 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss.
A blocked punt set up Ithaca with an opportunity to crack the scoreboard first late in the opening quarter. The Presidents defense rose to the challenge to limit the Bombers to a 42-yard field goal at the 4:39 mark of the first. The Bombers extended their lead to 10-0 on a 59-yard touchdown pass by Joe Germinerio to Will Gladney with 1:13 left in the first quarter. An interception by Williams at the 7:10 mark of the second quarter allowed the Presidents to keep the halftime deficit at 10-0.
The Bombers used a eight-play, 63-yard drive to find the end zone on their opening drive of the third quarter. Ithaca capped the scoring drive with a four-yard run to take a 17-0 lead at the 8:51 mark of the third quarter.
The Presidents began the comeback late in the third quarter when the offense found life. W&J drove 91 yards on just five plays to reach the end zone for the first time in the game. A 37-yard reception by junior wide receiver Jordan Halford (Gainesville, Va./Battlefield) set up a nine-yard touchdown pass by senior quarterback Jacob Adams(Louisville, Ohio/Louisville) to junior receiver Josh Burns (Coraopolis, Pa./Moon) with 1:42 left in the third. A failed point after put the Ithaca lead at 17-6.
In the early stages of the fourth quarter, senior Nick Getz (Tyrone, Pa./Tyrone) forced a fumble that was recovered by junior linebacker Cole Weston (Louisville, Ohio/Louisville). That set up the Presidents with solid field position near midfield at their own 43-yard line. This time the W&J offense would put together an eight play, 57-yard scoring drive. Adams would connect with Halford on a 26-yard touchdown pass with 9:43 to play. A successful two-point pass by Adams to senior running back Jordan West (Washington, Pa./Washington) brought the Presidents within three points at 17-14.
On the ensuing possession, the W&J defense came through again, forcing its fifth turnover of the game. The interception return for touchdown by Nunnally put the Presidents ahead for good with 6:43 to play.
Ithaca had one last chance, as the Bombers took over with 2:26 remaining in the fourth. Ithaca would mark down the field to set up first-and-goal at the W&J nine-yard line. After a five-yard run on first down, the Bombers were stuffed for no gain on second down and then a fade pass into the end zone fell incomplete. Instead of taking a 21-yard field goal to tie the score and force overtime, Ithaca elected to go for it on fourth-and-goal at the four-yard line. The Bombers run attempt was stopped short at the two-yard line by Nunnally and sophomore Mitch DeZort (Tarentum, Pa./Highlands).
Germinerio, the reigning D3football.com Team of the Week quarterback, was sacked seven times, threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles in the loss. Germinerio completed 22-of-33 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown.
Adams finished with 24-of-39 for 275 passing yards and two touchdowns. Burns finished with nine catches for 75 yards and a score. Max Garda (Lower Burrell, Pa./Burrell) and Sean Doran (New Castle, Pa./Neshannock) paced the defense with 14 tackles each.
The win allowed the Presidents to finish the campaign with an 8-3 overall record. The loss was the third in the past four games for the Bombers, who finish 2019 with an 8-3 mark.
Second half comeback lifts W&J past Ithaca in ECAC Asa S. Bushnell Bowl
/seasons/2019/boxscores/20191123_z6ae.xml
2019
Washington and Jefferson
20
Ithaca
17
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington and Jefferson (8-3) | 0 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 20 |
| Ithaca (8-3) | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
Nov 23, 2019