Football | 9/5/2024 5:00:00 PM

PITTSFORD, N.Y. –  The St. John Fisher University football team opens the 2024 season at 1 p.m. Saturday when it hosts Marietta College at Growney Stadium. The Cardinals have won their last four home openers dating back to 2019. 

This will mark the second meeting between the Cardinals and Pioneers, who beat Fisher 31-7 last year in Ohio. The Pioneers scored 24 unanswered points after Fisher tied the game at seven in the second quarter. 

"They are very good," head coach Paul Vosburgh said. "They have a host of kids back (from last year). We need to go out there and play good football to beat them. Last year, we didn't play bad early but they got us. We're about to face one of the better teams we will see all year long." 

Live Coverage

• Each of Fisher's home and conference games this season will be streamed live on the Empire 8 Network. Mark Gruba is Fisher's play-by-play voice for home broacasts. 

• Gene Battaglia will call each of Fisher's games live on The Fan Rochester (95.7 FM or AM 950). Fans can also listen on the Audacy App. 

Captains Announced

The St. John Fisher football team voted sophomore quarterback Brody Vincenzi, senior defensive lineman Zach Dreisbach, senior running back Peyton Nolan, fifth-year linebacker Joe Miscia and fifth-year offensive lineman Gordon Wester as captains for the 2024 season. 

Vincenzi, Dreisbach, Nolan and Wester are first-time captains, while Miscia earned the honor for the second straight year. 

A Look At The Offense

Fisher returns a 2023 first-team All-Empire 8 performer in Peyton Nolan, who last season finished second in the league in rushing yards (1,011) and first in average yards per game (111.2). He found the end zone 11 times, including three times in a 38-21 win over Hartwick. 

Senior Deante Hall, who played in four games last season, and Camden Chance, a junior transfer from Oswego, will also be factors in Fisher's backfield. 

"Peyton had a great season (in 2023)," Vosburgh said. "Having him back will be huge for us (this year). DeAnte played a little bit last year – we have big expectations for him this year. He and Cam Chance will be contributors. We could have three really good running backs that we can go with."

Perhaps most importantly for that rushing attack, which averaged over 170 yards per game in 2023, the Cardinals return an experienced offensive line. That group includes fifth-year left guard Joey Marsh (6-2, 280), fifth-year center Jacob Stewart (6-0, 280), junior right guard Elijah Williams (6-2, 303) and fifth-year right tackle Gordon Wester (6-6, 305). Sophomore Jacob Sturgis (6-6, 265) or Utica transfer Davis Damelio (6-1, 260) will slot in at left tackle. 

"We have a lot of experience on the offensive line," Vosburgh said. "We have three seniors that should be really good for us. And they are fifth-year seniors. That's big." 

At tight end, the Cardinals will rely on sophomore Nate McGoldrick, senior James Kennedy and fifth-year senior Carter Vedrani. McGoldrick showed promise as a freshman, hauling in 19 passes for 244 yards and three touchdowns. He had a breakout performance with seven catches for 101 yards and a score against Cortland. 

The Cardinals expect a host of wide receivers to contribute, including fifth-year senior Evan DeLutis, seniors Jaylen Brantley and Drew Smith, junior Chase Vincenzi and sophomores Jackson Cusack and Mykel White. 

Sophomore Ryan Whitney or senior Brody Vincenzi will start at quarterback. Vincenzi has played in seven career games and was the backup to 2023 All-Empire 8 second-team pick Aaron Chase last year. Whitney did not see varsity action as a freshman. 

A Look at The Defense

The Cardinals return arguably the Empire 8's top linebacker in Joe Miscia, a 2023 second-team all-conference pick. He led Fisher in tackles (96), tackles for a loss (7.5) and interceptions (3) last season. For his career, he has 334 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, two sacks and four interceptions. The three-time all-Empire 8 selection has led Fisher in total tackles in each of the last three seasons. 

"He'll be the leader of our defense," Vosburgh said. "I think he's going to have an outstanding season."

Senior JaQuan Davis and fifth-year senior Jonathan Ellison will also have significant roles for Fisher at inside linebacker. Ellison made a career-high 32 tackles back in 2022. 

Up front, Fisher has two senior defensive ends: Zach Dreisbach and Jeremy Woodcock. Dreisbach led the Cardinals with three sacks last season, and he also amassed 40 tackles with 6.5 for a loss. 

Fisher returns senior cornerbacks DeAndre Green and Jude Converse and also expects sophomores Jake Storen and Matt Bonk to take steps forward. Green had two interceptions and broke up nine passes last year. 

Conner Burns, a senior, is the Cardinals' most experienced safety. He played in seven games last season, defending two passes. 

Sophomore Timothy Vanderbrik gives the Cardinals versatility as a hybrid safety/outside linebacker. 

Specialists 

Senior Kyle Farewell has handled kickoffs, field goals and punts for the Cardinals since the 2022 season. In 2023, he averaged 37.3 yards per punt (with a long of 57 yards) and pinned eight of his 25 attempts inside the 20. He made 3-of-4 field goal tries. 

Know The Foe: Marietta

• Marietta went 8-2 overall last season (7-2 Ohio Athletic Conference) and returns several key players on both sides of the football. 

• Marietta quarterback Connor Vierstra threw for 2,251 yards and 20 touchdown passes last season. He added another four touchdowns on the ground. 

• Wide receiver Jay Melchiori had 39 catches for a team-leading 593 yards in 2023. He had four touchdowns. 

• Wide receivers John Sierputowski and Dawson Snyder each had seven touchdown receptions last season. Snyder also led the team in catches with 44. 

• Defensive lineman Chance Knight frequently disrupted opposing offenses last year recording 14.5 tackles for a loss and 8.5 sacks. Linebacker Harley Hopkins wasn't too far behind with 94 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, six sacks and two interceptions.  

• Defensive backs Lukas Ratliff and Jaelon Quiero-Gordon led Marietta with three interceptions. Quiero-Gordon had a team-high eight pass breakups. 

Looking Ahead

The Cardinals, who have a bye next week, return to action against Keystone College at noon Sept. 21 at Growney Stadium. Fisher amassed more than 400 yards of offense in a 35-20 victory over Keystone last season in La Plume, Pa.