The St. John Fisher College football team suffered its first defeat Saturday afternoon as it fell 23-6 to the Utica Pioneers at Utica's Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. With the loss, Fisher moves to 6-1 on the season and 4-1 in the Empire 8. Utica improves to 5-2 overall (3-2 E8).

Fisher looked good right from the start as the defensive stopped Utica's opening drive with an interception. Defensive back Evan Majewski nabbed a bobbled pass to give Fisher the ball at their own 32-yard line. The Cardinals were unable to do anything with it though, eventually punting a few plays later.

After some back and forth play in neutral territory, Utica had the first chance to put points on the board as the Pioneers set up for a short field goal. The attempt was blocked by Anthony Lee though and the ball rolled out of the end zone for a Fisher touchback. Once again though, the Cardinals failed to capitalize on the opportunity, eventually punting.

In the second quarter, Fisher's defensive unit impressed again, stopping the Pioneers on fourth down. The ensuing play though, the Cardinals' quarterback Matt Naton threw a ball that was tipped and picked off giving Utica the ball once again.

The Pioneers used the turnover to drive 65 yards down the field and put up the game's first points in the form of a field goal. After Fisher went three-and-out on its next possession, Utica went 53 yards to score the first touchdown of the game. They would miss the PAT but ultimately take the 9-0 lead into the half.

Fisher received the ball for the second half but went three-and-out and surrendered the ball back to the Pioneers. Utica then scored on a 55 yard drive, capped off with a 33 yard rushing touchdown.

Fisher would put on points of their own nearing the end of the stanza, as Naton found Mike Collichio for a 33-yard gain to the three. Running back Tony Fusco was then able to punch it in from there. That would be the end of the scoring for the Cardinals though, as they eventually fell 23-6.

Naton, who was playing in his first game in two weeks, went 16-for-39 for 226 yards.

Fusco, who was also returning from injury, took the bulk of the carries, rushing for 48 yards.

Defensively, Mark Guarino-Hyde finished with a team-high 14 tackles. He was followed closely by Anthony Lee, who recorded 12 and had the previously mentioned block kick.

Fisher will have a week off as the team enters its bye week. The Cardinals will return to action at 1 p.m. on October 29^th as they host Ithaca College at Growney Stadium