UTICA, N.Y. – Hopes of a bowl game were stopped in their tracks as the St. John Fisher College football team dropped its final regular season game of the 2021 season to Utica College, 35-14, on Saturday afternoon at Gaetano Stadium. The Cardinals finished their season at 4-6 overall and 2-4 within conference play, while the Pioneers earned their 6th victory of the 10-game season and evened their Empire 8 record to 3-3.
 
Fisher didn't take long to get themselves on the scoreboard, as senior running back Dahmir Pross recorded his longest rush of the season on the game's second play from scrimmage. With the ball at the Cardinals' own 26-yard line, Pross found an opening and turned on the afterburners as he glided 74 yards to the end zone, giving the visitors a 7-0 advantage just a minute into the game.

After trading possessions, an untimely penalty on a punt set Utica up in good field position as the Pioneers used three consecutive first downs to tie up the contest at seven-all headed into the second quarter. Following a first down for the hosts on their first possession, a Fisher timeout reset the defense, just in time for Jason Rodriguez to snatch the quarterback's pass out of the air. Just a possession later, the senior safety made a nearly identical play, but neither of the turnovers proved productive for the visitors' momentum. Three unsuccessful possessions later, the Pioneers strung together an eight-play 54-yard drive, putting opponent on top for the first time in the contest at 14-7 as the clock ticked into the half.
 
Following a Utica score out of halftime, the Cardinals' came out ready to make an impact. Pross kicked off the drive with a 20-yard rush before quarterback Michael Krafty aired it out to senior slot receiver Johnathan Letta for 25 more yards. Just four plays later, the pair linked up again, this time for an 11-yard gain and Fisher's second touchdown of the day, which cut the deficit to just seven points. The Cardinals' 10-play 75-yard drive was their longest of the day at that point, with a total time of possession of 3:17.
 
With a fire in their eyes, Kyle Vachon and the special teams unit forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, winning the ball back for the visitors. The Cardinals were forced into a three-and-out, but the special teams unit came back out onto the field blazing, as Johnny Pagano blocked his second field goal attempt of the year.
 
As both squads held up their fours, the Pioneers took to the drivers' seat and scored two more touchdowns on their next two drives, proving too much for the Fisher lineup.
 
Pross led the offense on the ground with 132 yards on 13 carries for an average yardage of 9.7 and a touchdown, while Letta maintained the passing game with two receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown. Krafty went 5-for-15 as the play caller for 46 yards and a touchdown, while falling victim to four sacks.
 
The Fisher defense was led by Joe Miscia who tallied 14 tackles, followed by Anthony Manna with nine, and Rodriguez - who also added the two INTs - and Andrew Casanova with eight each.
 
Joe Dotterweich punted nine times in the contest for 287 yards and an average of 31.9 yards per punt with one landing inside the 20-yard line.