The St. John Fisher College football program claimed a share of the Empire 8 Conference title for the second straight year and the sixth time in program history, as the Cardinals picked up a 23-9 win over visiting Alfred University on Saturday in the final regular-season game for both teams.
With the win, Fisher's sixth straight victory, the Cardinals finish the regular season with a 7-3 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the Empire 8, while Alfred falls to 7-3, 5-3. Fisher will share the E8 title with SUNY Cortland, who defeated Ithaca College 11-8 today. The Red Dragons, who finished with a 6-2 record in the Empire 8 will receive the Conference's automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Championship, thanks to their 34-17 win over Fisher back on September 19th
Fisher's James Chambers rushed 32 times for 152 yards (both career-highs) and scored two touchdowns to lead the offense.
Senior Brandon Miller led the Fisher defense with 10 tackles, including three for losses, while classmate Brandon Fuentes made two interceptions - his third straight two-interception game - deep in Fisher territory to help preserve the win.
After going three-and-out on its opening possession, Fisher marched 62 yards on 12 plays with Chambers scoring on a one-yard run to put the Cardinals up 6-0 with 6:15 left in the first quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, the Saxons took a 7-6 lead on a Brandon Buisch 10-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Johnson with 7:05 left.
Fisher enjoyed great field position on the ensuing drive. Derek Boland fielded the kickoff at his own 30 and returned it 34 yards to the Alfred 36. Seven players later, Chambers scored on a seven-yard sweep to the left to put the Cardinals up 13-7.
Alfred nearly tied it up at the end of the first half, taking advantage of a Fisher-fumble at its own 26 yard line with under 10 seconds left in the quarter, but Fuentes intercepted his fifth pass of the season at the Fisher 1 as the half ended.
Fisher pushed its lead to 20-7 on its opening possession of the second half. The Cardinals used a seven-play, 51-yard drive, capped by a 12-yard touchdown run from Steven Stromolo with just under 10 minutes left in the third. Stromolo would finish the day with 72 yards on 13 carries.
Senior Taylor Byrne closed out the scoring a 27-yard field goal with 4:15 left in the game. The 12-play scoring drive used over eight minutes off the clock.
The Fisher defense did its part to preserve the victory. Alfred penetrated inside the Fisher 10 on two occasions in the fourth quarter, but failed to put any points on the board.
The Saxons' lone points of the second half came on a safety with 1:12 remaining, as Fuentes, Fisher's punter, elected to step out of the end zone.
Fuentes sealed the game on the very next play from scrimmage, intercepting a pass at the Fisher 3 with 58 seconds remaining. The interception marked the third consecutive game in which Fuentes recorded two interceptions.
Fisher outgained Alfred 351-218 on the day and held a 23-10 edge in first downs.
Quarterback Matt Naton was 17-of-23 on the day for 144 yards. Senior Bobby Campese caught seven passes for 58 yards to lead all receivers.
Senior defensive lineman Jordan Andrews recorded Fisher's lone sack of the day, while Alec Mortillaro broke up three passes, all of which came in the end zone.
Fisher will await to hear if it has earned a postseason bid. The Cardinals have advanced to the postseason each year since 2003.
Fisher Wins Sixth Straight - Cardinals Claim Share of Empire 8 Title
/seasons/2015/boxscores/20151114_6wzv.xml
2015
Alfred
9
St. John Fisher
23
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alfred (7-3) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| St. John Fisher (7-3) | 6 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 23 |
Nov 14, 2015