Football | 9/1/2023 12:25:00 PM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher University football team, coached by Paul Vosburgh, starts the 2023 season with a trip to Ohio to face Marietta College on Sept. 2 before returning home the following week to face Hilbert. 
 
Last Season
The Cardinals finished 4-6 last season, going 2-4 against fellow Empire 8 schools. Eight Fisher players earned postseason conference awards, with one Cardinal- graduate student running back Malachi Duvall- being named to the E8's All-Conference Offensive first team. 
 
Back to Pass
Aaron Chase transferred to Fisher from Division I University at Buffalo last season and became the main quarterback for the Cardinals. He'll be back for his senior year this season. Appearing in nine of the team's 10 games in 2022, the North Tonawanda native threw for 1,313 yards and 11 touchdowns and added two more touchdowns on the ground. He was named one of the team's captains in June. 
 
More Players to Watch
Fisher will return about 80 players from last season's team, including several who won All-Conference honors. 
 
Among those protecting Chase will be offensive lineman Joe Howard. A team captain for 2023, the Utica native was named to the Empire 8 Second Team last season, the second time he's received all-conference honors. 
 
On defense, linebacker Joe Miscia led the team with 105 tackles his junior year, adding 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble for good measure. The New Jersey native was named to the Empire 8 Second Team, the second time he has earned conference honors. The senior, like Chase and Howard, is a team captain this season. 
 
Wide receiver Gabe Meloni earned a spot on the Empire 8 Second Team after a breakout season in 2022, leading the receiving corps in receptions (54), yards (693), and touchdowns (6). 
 
Courage Bowl XVIII
The Cardinals open Empire 8 play this season when they host the Courage Bowl on Sept. 30. Fisher is looking to end a five-year losing streak to SUNY Brockport in the annual fundraising game for Camp Good Days and Special Times, although they are 12-5 overall against all opponents since the start of the game in 2005. 
 
Other Big Games
 
St. John Fisher is set to host the yearly alumni weekend game on Sept. 23 against Wilkes University. 
 
The Cardinals host SUNY Cortland, who went 6-0 in Empire 8 play last season, on Oct. 21. Fisher has a 4-5 record since 2005 against the Red Dragons, including a 3-3 record at home. 
 
Senior Day is Oct. 28, against Alfred. The Cardinals are 9-8 against the Saxons since 2005, winning last year's matchup at Alfred, 21-7. 
 
The Cardinals finish the regular season on the road at Utica on Nov. 11. Fisher is 12-5 against the Pioneers since 2005, but lost last season's matchup, 35-21. 
 
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