Salisbury University scored a touchdown with 18 seconds left in regulation and sealed the win with a 16-yard touchdown run in overtime, as the visiting Sea Gulls stunned nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College in a pivotal Empire 8 Conference matchup on Saturday at Fisher's Growney Stadium.
With the win, Salisbury improved to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in the Empire 8 Conference (its last season in the Empire 8), while Fisher, ranked as high as No. 6 in the national coaches poll, falls to 3-1, 2-1.
Salisbury quarterback John Dunbar led his team with 136 yards on 30 carries with two rushing touchdowns. He also completed 10-of-14 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown. The Sea Gulls held a 461-442 advantage in yards on the day, as well a 19-minute advantage in time of possession.
For Fisher, Tyler Fenti was 20-for-28 for 308 yards and four touchdowns. Nathan Nigolian and Mike Collichio each finished with nine catches and two touchdowns. Nigolian totaled 169 yards, while Collichio added 119 (both career-highs).
Fisher took its first lead of the day in the opening moments of the fourth quarter with Collichio scoring on a 19-yard pass from Fenti. Fisher made it 31-24 with just under six minutes left on a 21-yard field goal from Greg Lohrman.
Salisbury responded with a 14-play, 65-yard drive ending with a 3-yard run from Dunbar with 18 seconds left.
In overtime, Fisher was forced to settle for 24-yard field goal from Lohrman, while Salisbury ended the contest on their second offensive play in the extra period.
Salisbury took a 7-0 lead to start the game. After Fisher missed a 26-yard field goal on its opening possession, the Gulls marched 80 yard on nine plays with J.D. Hook scoring on a 3-yard run with 5:42 left in the first quarter.
Fisher tied the game up at 7-7 with Nigolian scoring on a 42-yard bomb from Fenti.
Salisbury scored the next 10 points to take a 17-7 late in the second quarter. Zak Osborne kicked a 28-yard field goal with 2:42 left and Max Ehrsam snagged a 35-yard pass from Dunbar with 53 seconds left.
Fisher, however, would answer, driving 69 yards in the final 44 seconds of the half with Collichio scoring on a 27-yard pass from Fenti, making it 17-14 at the break.
After Fisher went three-and-out on its opening possession of the second half, Salisbury ate up nearly nine minutes of clock with Dunbar scoring on a 19-yard run following a personal foul penalty on a first-and-goal situation from the Fisher 4.
Fisher answered right back, however, as Nigolian caught a 10-yard pass in the back corner of the endzone, capping the five-play, 61-yard drive. Freshman James Chambers sparked the touchdown drive, with a 43-yard run. He finished the day with 86 yards on nine carries and added 166 yards on kick returns.
Four players finished in double figures in tackles. Ryan Ballard led the defense with 17 stops, while Bryant Moore was in on 15 tackles. Peter DiMilia finished with 14 tackles, while All-American Sean Preish made 11. Brandon Fuentes forced Salisbury's only turnover of the game, intercepting a pass with a 50-yard return on the game's opening drive.
Fisher returns to action at 1 p.m. next Saturday and will host Hartwick College. The Hawks are coming off a 34-30 win over Alfred University.