Ithaca College opened its 2026 football season on the road against No. 4 Johns Hopkins, ultimately suffering a 30‑21 loss that was far from a straightforward defeat.
First Half: The Early Struggle
The Bombers fell behind early, turning the ball over on downs shortly after the opening kickoff and watching Hopkins strike first with a 3‑0 field goal after a 44‑yard pass play stalled.
A 35‑yard touchdown pass from Luke Baker to Cole Crotty gave the visitors a 10‑0 lead, and Kaleb Wayt added two field goals before the end of the third quarter, extending the margin to 23‑0.
Michael Reed, who had been limited to 175 passing yards and a 158‑yard rushing touchdown, sparked a comeback in the second half, connecting with Nicholas Lang for a 33‑yard score that trimmed the deficit to 23‑7.
Defensively, Joe Spirra anchored the effort with 11 tackles, including eight solo stops, while Andrew Swierbut returned an interception for 18 yards, a play that helped halt Hopkins' momentum.
Special teams also contributed, as Caleb Wandell booted a 72‑yard punt that ranked among the longest in program history, and Ithaca's rushing attack generated 220 yards, a rare showing against a defense that had stifled the ground game in recent seasons.
The Bombers will now turn their attention to a home slate, beginning with a September 12 matchup against Alfred at 6 p.m., followed by two more home games that will test the team's momentum as the season unfolds.