St. John Fisher College scored 52 unanswered points, pounding visiting Buffalo State (0-2), 55-7, tonight at Growney Stadium. Fisher dominated all three phases of the game, outgaining Buffalo State 497-292 and blocked two field goals, two punts and forced a turnover on punt coverage. The Cardinals scored on nine of 12 offensive possessions.
Tim Bailey completed 15-of-20 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
Brad Carlton led four Fisher running backs to find the end zone with seven carries for 32 yards and a score, and had three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown.
Andy Episcopo had a game-high 14 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Fisher took a 3-0 lead, but the Bengals answered immediately, scoring on Buffalo State's first offensive play from scrimmage.
It was all Fisher the rest of the way, including scoring 28 points to close the opening half with a 31-7 advantage. The Cardinals marched 70 yards on six plays capped by a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Christian Zemaitis on the ensuing possession. After a blocked field goal and a lengthy return set up a short field, the Cardinals pushed their lead to 17-7 after a 6-yard scoring run by Carlton. Carlton found the end zone again on the next Fisher possession, this time catching a 13-yard pass from Bailey. The Cardinals continued to pour it on, forcing a Murphy fumble on a sack by Byron Rhone in the closing seconds of the half. Bailey hit Eli Hayes with a 14-yard touchdown strike on the next play.
Fisher picked up right where it left off in the second half, blocking a punt on the Bengals' first possession, and then pushed its lead to 38-7 six plays later on a 2-yard touchdown run by Scott Biehl. Zemaitis scored his second touchdown of the game on a 15-yard run on the Cardinals next possession. He finished with a team-high 82 yards on just seven carries.
The Cardinals blocked another punt on the Bengals' next series, and took advantage of the short field again, extending their lead to 52-7 on a 3-yard run by freshman Tony Dechario, the first of his career.
Fisher's Nick Borkowski and Scott Allis each blocked two kicks in the win, giving the Cardinals a College-record four blocks in one game. Borkowski blocked two field goals, while Allis was credited with two blocked punts and five tackles (all on special teams).
Kicker
Chad Monheim led all Fisher players in the scoring department, tallying 13 points. The junior was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra points and connected on field goals from 30 and 35 yards out.
Wide receiver Ryan Francis led Fisher in receiving with four catches for 71 yards. Carlton and Hayes each finished with three catches, as did senior-transfer Marcus Miles.
Several Fisher players enjoyed their collegiate “firsts” in the win. Senior
Cory Hopkins recorded his first career catch, which ended up going for 52 yards.
Freshman Anthony Short rushed two times for 30 yards, including a career-long 29 yard rush, while junior
Matt Lukasiewicz carried the ball once for three yards.
Keith Libolt recorded his first career sack, while Jeff Headwellvwas credited with his first career forced fumble.
Fisher will return to action next Saturday, hosting University of Rochester at 7 p.m. in Courage Bowl V, a game dedicated to the children of Camp Good Days and Special Times.
