ITHACA -- With the NCAA playoffs no longer a viable goal, Ithaca College (5-3) has an abundance of motivation to finish out an up-and-down 2009 season with one, if not two, victories.

Considering the strength of the Bombers' two remaining opponents -- No. 14 Alfred (7-0) and rival SUNY Cortland (6-2) -- the program's long-heralded, proud streak of 38 consecutive winning seasons appears in jeopardy.

And the players are well aware of the implications.

"We're thinking about if went 5-5 it would be the first time in what, 38 years, we wouldn't have a winning season?" junior safety David Ahonen said. "So it's kind of in the back of our minds, and we're not going to let that happen this year."

Ithaca was eliminated from contention for the Empire 8 Conference's automatic berth to the NCAA playoffs last Saturday at Springfield, when the Pride pulled away in the fourth quarter for a 47-26 victory.

The defense is allowing about 32 points per game to conference opponents, while its offense has struggled all season to run the ball consistently. Youth and injuries have had their impacts, but the seniors insist they're ready to make the most of the last two weeks.

"Obviously, it's disappointing for any Ithaca football team," senior defensive end Adam Drescher said. "Just can't step back, you've got to keep moving forward, got to keep improving. Seven and three, that's our goal now. We've got to get there."

Coach Mike Welch said he's seen a level of effort in practice this week that supports Drescher and Ahonen's sentiments.

Since 1994, Welch's only four-loss seasons have come in 1999 (7-4) and 1995 (5-4). Ithaca's 5-3 campaign under Jim Butterfield in 1971 started the streak of 38 winning seasons.

"I firmly believe that they know where they're at," he said. "It's disappointing, but you put that behind you and move forward to the next game. That's what I expect out of our players, expect out of our coaches and this program. It doesn't always go right for you. You have to deal with it when it goes wrong for you, and that's where we are right now. We have to buckle down and improve our play on Saturday."

The first roadblock is an explosive Alfred team that has steamrolled every opponent but St. John Fisher, and in that game the Saxons pulled out a 31-28 victory.

Vinson Hendrix is the conference's leading rusher at 144.9 yards per game, sophomore quarterback Tom Secky -- who missed last week's game, a 51-14 victory over Rochester, with an injury -- has tossed 18 touchdown passes to six interceptions, and receiver Jared Manzer (Johnson City) leads the conference in receptions per game (6.7) and ranks second in receiving yards (102.9). He's caught 11 touchdown passes.

That trio operates behind an offensive line that has caught Ithaca's attention on game film.

"They're big, they're experienced, they're good," Drescher said. "They're undefeated so far, so we have to come out and play. We have to bring our A-game, or we're not going to win."