The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College football team defeated host Alfred University 34-12 in its final regular season game to earn a share of the Empire 8 Championship with Ithaca College.  The Bombers earn the Empire 8s automatic bid to the NCAA Championships due to their head-to-head win over Fisher last weekend.  It was Fisher's first win at Alfred in four tries, with the Cardinals last earning a road victory in 2006, 41-13.

Fisher, ranked No. 24 nationally, has now has earned a share of the Empire 8 title five times in program history (2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2014).

With the win Fisher improves to 8-2 overall and 6-2 in the Empire 8, while Alfred falls to 5-5 and 4-4, respectively.

The Cardinals dominated the first quarter running 28 plays for 123 yards, to just six and four respectively for the Saxons.

Fisher scored on opening drive of the game marching 61 yards on 10 plays, capped off with an 11-yard rushing score from Tony Fusco. It was his eighth rushing touchdown of the season. 

On ensuing kickoff, Fisher recovered a fumble at the 35 yard line on a muffed return attempt by the upback, putting Fisher in excellent field position.  The Cardinals made Alfred pay just three plays later on a James Chambers 23-yard wheel route touchdown, his fourth receiving score of the year.

Tyler Fenti exited the game with an injury on the next possession as the Alfred defensive player was flagged for unnecessary roughness, bringing in Danny Catan to take over the signal calling duties for the rest of the game.

Late in the second half the stingy Fisher defense stuffed Alfred twice from the two yard line, however a fake run by quarterback Ty Johnson and pass to Trevor Monk got the Saxons on the board.  Fisher blocked the PAT to remain in front, 14-6.

The Cardinals were able to take advantage of their next possession as Catan found his rhythm, connecting with Rob Riggio for a 37-yard score.  Riggio paced the Fisher receiving core with six catches for 88 yards.  Fisher led 21-6 at the half.

In the Saxons second possession of the next half Fisher's defense forced a turnover as Mike Donitzen jarred the ball loose and Ryan Ballard recovered the fumble.  The Cardinals could not capitalize however as Alfred forced a turnover of their own on a strip-sack recovery.

On the very next play, Johnson scrambled 58 yards for the score, but a missed extra point kept Fisher ahead 21-12 with 9:07 left in the third quarter.

Following an onside kick on the very next play, which was recovered by the Saxons, Fisher's defense forced a key three-and-out.  That proved to be a key stop as Chris Smith found the end zone on a 3-yard score to put Fisher up 27-12 after a missed extra point late in the third quarter.

Donitzen came up with an interception on the next possession, but the Saxons answered with another strip-sack to take over possession.  Alfred drove into the red zone, however Fisher held the Saxons on a fourth and four to take over on downs.

Following a Fisher turnover, the Cardinals defense held Alfred on another fourth and one from their own 10 yard line.  Two plays later, Justin Jacoby found the end zone on an 8-yard rush for his first career touchdown to seal the victory, 34-12, with 5 minutes remaining.

Fisher caused five turnovers on the day, with three fumble recoveries and two interceptions.  Bryant Moore added an interception late in the game to go along with seven tackles.  Peter DiMilia registered a team-high eight tackles.

Fusco finished with 92 yards rushing, while Catan ended the day 16-for-27 for 189 yards and one touchdown. 

Fisher will await to see if it is selected as one of six at-large bids into the NCAA Championships with the selection show taking place at 6 p.m. on Sunday.