Sixth-ranked St. John Fisher College defeated host Ithaca College 37-16 today in the Cardinals’ Empire 8 Conference season-opener.
With the win, Fisher, the top-ranked team in New York, improves to 4-0 for the second time in the program’s history (and the second straight year). Fisher has defeated Ithaca three times in the last four meetings, but today’s victory marked its first at Butterfield Stadium.
Fisher never trailed in the game. After Ithaca’s opening drive ended on a blocked 38-yard field goal by Fisher’s
Dan Pollock (G. Ray Bodley/Fulton), the Cardinals drove 74 yards on 15 plays to take a 7-0 lead.
Fisher, who used up nearly seven minutes on its opening drive, scoring six points on a two-yard pass from
Rob Kramer (Oneida/Oneida) to
Chris Harmon (Caledonia-Mumford/Caledonia) on a fourth-and-goal play.
The Cardinals pushed their lead to 14-0 on a two-run from
James Reile (Herkimer/Herkimer), who missed the last two games due to injury, capping a seven-play, 75-yard drive with 3:52 left in the half.
After an Ithaca-touchdown late in the second quarter, Fisher opened the second half with a seven-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a three-yard pass from
Kramer to
Dan Reger (Warsaw/Warsaw) less than two minutes into the third quarter, pushing Fisher’s lead to 20-7. The reception was
Reger’s first of his career.
Fisher, who went three-and-out on its next possession, took control of the game on its ensuing drive. The Cardinals scored three points on a 25-yard field goal from Kyle Piccirilli (Albion/Albion) on a 20-play, 78-yard drive that ate up nearly half of the third quarter (8:08 used), giving the Cardinals a 23-7 lead with 14:05 left in the game.
Two minutes later,
Kramer scored on a career-long 31-yard touchdown run. The drive was set up following an Ithaca turnover.
Scott Miranto (North Tonawanda/North Tonawanda) forced a fumble, which was recovered by
Luke Jesonowski (Iroquois/Elma) at the Ithaca 38.
Ryan Hanson (G. Ray Bodley/Fulton) made it 37-7 with a two-yard run on the following drive with 8:40 left.
Kramer completed a career-high 20 passes on 27 attempts for 242 yards (three yards shy of his personal record), while throwing his 12th and 13th touchdown passes of the season.
Hanson racked up 113 yards on 30 carries (his third one-game of the season), while Reile finished with 54 yards on 17 carries.
Jimmy Smith (Oneida/Oneida) finished with six catches for 97 yards, while
Josiah Smith (Niagara-Wheatfield/Niagara Falls) added four catches for 48 yards (career-highs for both players in receptions and yards).
Tim Marion (Warwick Valley/Warwick) caught five passes for 74 yards, including a career-long 41-yard reception.
Jason Cirulli (Webster Schroeder/Webster) led the Fisher defense with eight tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and an interception.
Miranto and
Josh Gottlieb (Fox Lane/Pound Ridge) also made eight tackles, while
Micah Norton (Elmira Notre Dame/Lowman) intercepted a pass.
Fisher finished the game with 208-50 advantage in yards rushing. The Cardinals also converted on 10-of-17 third downs, while Ithaca was 3-for-12.
Fisher will return to action at 7 p.m. next Saturday at Hartwick College. Hartwick (2-1) defeated Ithaca 32-30 last week and defeated previously-unbeaten Husson College earlier today.
