Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
Nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 42-13 win over visiting Hartwick College on Saturday at Growney Stadium in an Empire 8 Conference matchup.
With the win, No. 15 Fisher improves to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the Empire 8 Conference, while Hawks fall to 2-3 and 1-2.
Following a three-and-out by the defense to start the game, the Cardinals offense marched down the field on its first possession with a nine-play, 61-yard drive, capped off with a 12-yard rushing touchdown for Tony Fusco to put Fisher up for good.
Fisher added to its lead on the first play of the second quarter, as quarterback Tyler Fenti connected on a 47-yard pass to Mike Collichio for his fifth touchdown reception of the season to put Fisher up 14-0.
The Cardinals were able to take advantage of good field position at their own 37 midway through the second quarter after a defensive stop. Chris Smith found the end zone from just two yards out to give the home team a 21-0 lead with 6:12 left in the half. The key play on the drive came from Bobby Campese - a 26-yard reception – to give Fisher first-and-goal from the Hartwick 6.
With just under three minutes remaining in the half, Fisher marched 88 yards on eight plays, culminating with Fenti hurling a swing pass to James Chambers, who took it 32 yards for the score.
Fisher pushed its lead to 35-0 on the opening drive of the second half. The Cardinals used nearly seven minutes of clock before Fusco scored his second touchdown of the day – a one-yard dive off left tackle. Junior Steven Strumolo scored his first career touchdown with 12:40 left in the game, reaching the end zone on a four-yard run.
Fisher lost its shutout-bid with 6:49 left in the game, as Hartwick's Tanner Williams scored on a four-yard pass from John Garcia. Less than two minutes later, Hartwick scored again with 53-yard pass from Billy Pine to Carl Holmes for the game's final points.
Fisher finished the game with a 434-283 advantage in total yards. Over 170 yards of Hartwick's total offense came in the fourth quarter.
Fenti led Fisher in passing with 280 yards on 23-of-32 attempts, including two touchdowns. Collichio led Fisher's aerial attack with six grabs for 82 yards. Campese caught five passes for 69 yards, while Nathan Nigolian finished with four catches for 29 yards. Taylor Byrne also caught four passes for 43 yards.
Fusco led Fisher's rushing attack with 69 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries. Smith gained 29 yards on nine attempts, while Jimmy Ross rushed for 17 yards on four carries.
Greg Lohrman was a perfect 6-for-6 on extra points.
Defensively, senior All-American Sean Preish led the defense with eight tackles, including two sacks.
Peter DiMilia and Justin Colline were both credited with a sack, while Bryant Moore and Anthony Lee each intercepted a pass.
Fisher will play its next two games on the road, starting at 1 p.m. Saturday, as the Cardinals travel to Utica College.