As the Empire 8 has grown in offensive talent, Ithaca's defense has struggled to keep pace.

The Bombers (5-3) are coming off a 47-26 loss at Springfield last weekend, the second time this season an E8 foe has cracked the 40-point mark. Saturday's opponent, No. 14 Alfred, averages 39 points per game.

While a young lineup and a schedule of six road games over the first eight weeks have had an impact, an improved defensive performance against the Saxons would do wonders for next year's returning corps.

"There's a strong desire to be strong finishers here and end up playing well at the end of the year," Ithaca coach Mike Welch said. "It certainly helps our football team get ready for next year, but certainly you want to finish with a strong record."

Ithaca's opponents' points-per-game average in E8 contests are, over the last seven seasons: 17.6 in 2003, 13.5 in 2004, 15.3 in 2005, 16.2 in 2006, 20.3 in 2007, 22.5 in 2008 and 32.6 in 2009.

Welch said there will be no major personnel changes on either side of the ball entering the season's last two weeks.

"We're not going to do anything drastic," he said. "We know our system works; we just have to do it better. We're doing some tactical things that maybe we'll change up, just so we can give our players a better chance of winning."

By the numbers

Sophomore kicker Andrew Rogowski's 76.5 percent accuracy rate on field goals is the best by an IC kicker with at least 10 attempts. ... A loss to Alfred would clinch the Bombers' first sub-.500 season in Empire 8 play.

Sal-Pal on hand

ESPN football reporter Sal Paolantonio will join Ithaca's radio broadcast during the second quarter, and TV broadcast during the third quarter, of Saturday's game.

Fundraiser

Ithaca's team, in conjunction with the Ithaca Elks Lodge, will be collecting money at the conclusion of the Alfred game to benefit the Bath VA Medical Center.

E8 weekly honors

Hartwick's Noah Koreman and Springfield's Joe Myhren split the Empire 8 Offensive Player of the Week award this week.

Koreman, a senior wide receiver, caught five passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns in a 33-27 victory over Utica. Myhren, a junior halfback, ran for a career-high 170 yards on 19 carries, with a touchdown, in the Pride's 47-26 blowout of Ithaca.

Alfred's Jared Manzer, a two-way starter, was named co-E8 defensive player of the week after breaking an 87-year old school record with a 98-yard interception return for a touchdown last week against Rochester. The previous record, a 97-yard return, was set in 1922.

Hartwick's Ben Tomaino, a senior defensive tackle, recorded 13 tackles and had a hand in five sacks against Utica.

The E8 special teams player of the week award went to Springfield's Jarred Burrell, who torched Ithaca for 169 yards on five kickoff returns, two of which directly set up touchdowns. Burrell also picked off a pass to set up a score.