The St. John Fisher College football team defeated visiting Utica College 38-0 in an Empire 8 Conference game today.  With the win, Fisher, ranked seventh nationally, improves to 8-1 overall and 4-1 in the Empire 8, while Utica falls to 2-6, 0-4.

 

Fisher jumped out to a 24-0 lead by intermission and never looked back.  Ryan Hanson (G. Ray Bodley/Fulton) scored on a three-yard run midway through the first quarter, giving the senior 102 points for his career. 

 

The Cardinals extended their lead to 14-0 with a one-yard, one-play drive with James Reile (Herkimer/Herkimer) scoring the six points.  The drive was set up by a 48-yard punt return from Tim Marion (Warwick Valley/Warwick). 

 

After a 26-yard field goal from Chris Pierri (Fairport/Fairport), Marion scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Rob Kramer (Oneida/Oneida) late in the second quarter.

 

Fisher pushed its lead to 31-0 on a two-yard run from Reile on Fisher’s opening drive the second half.  The touchdown marked Reile’s 234th point at Fisher moving him up to the third on Fisher’s all-time scoring list.

 

Brad Carlton (Monohasen/Schenectady) scored Fisher’s final touchdown of the day midway through the fourth quarter on a one-yard run.

 

Utica’s final drive in the game went to the Fisher 3, but the Pioneers failed to score, as Jeremy Sedelmeyer (Seton Catholic/Endicott) intercepted a pass in the Fisher end zone with five seconds time left.

 

Both Fisher and Utica struggled offensively and combined for just 369 yards of total offense (Fisher 227, Utica 142).  Both teams punted eight times and combined for 18 penalties for 180 yards (Fisher 8-for-100 and Utica 10-for-80).

 

Fisher, who entered the game ranked third nationally in interceptions, added four more picks, bringing its season-total to 21, and collected 119 yards on punt returns.

 

Hanson led Fisher’s rushing attack with 61 yards on 17 carries.  Kramer completed 9-of-18 passes for 72 yards.  Jimmy Smith (Oneida/Oneida) caught five passes for 20 yards, while Marion snagged four balls for 52 yards.  Smith also totaled 48 yards on punt returns and had a 34-yard kickoff return.

 

The Fisher defense tallied four sacks and four interceptions on the day.  Senior All-American Steve Stepnick (Cowlesville/Marilla) intercepted his fourth pass of the season and his College-record 18th of his career.  Senior Steve Flagler (Vernon-Verona-Sherrill/Sherrill) intercepted the first pass of his career, while sophomore Kenny Bostick (Aquinas Institute/Rochester) also made an interception.

Jason Cirulli (Webster Schroeder/Webster) and Derek Melnyk (Monroe Township/Jamesburg, NJ) each finished with seven tackles.  Josh Gottlieb (Fox Lane/Pound Ride) tallied six tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery – all in the first half.

 

Kamaal Mabry (Goshen/Goshen) rushed for 45 yards on 11 carries to lead the Pioneers.  Greg Pinelli (Bristol/Bristol, PA) was 7-for-22 for 63 yards and three interceptions.   Cody Elliot (JFK/Sloan) caught five passes for 49 yards.  Marcus Maroney (Lockport/Utica) and Bryan Johnson (Bristol/Bristol, PA) were each in on nine tackles.

 

Fisher is idle next week and will host Alfred University on November 10th in the final regular-season game for both teams.  Alfred suffered its first loss of the season today, but is still undefeated in the Empire 8.