UTICA, N.Y. – The St. John Fisher football team fell behind 17-0 early and couldn't spark any momentum to catch up with Utica and its high-powered offense in a 31-7 loss on Saturday at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. 

The Cardinals, losers of consecutive games for the first time this season, dropped to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in Empire 8 Conference play with the loss. Utica recorded its third straight victory, improving to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the E8. 

Utica, which boasts one of the top offenses in Division III, amassed 417 total yards with 115 on the ground and 302 through the air. The Cardinals were held to season lows in total yards (216) and rushing yards (65). 

Utica senior quarterback Tyler Szalkowski, near the top of DIII in multiple passing categories, completed 22 of 29 passes for 270 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Junior Matthew Pallouras passed and rushed for a score. 

St. John Fisher sophomore Matthew Moorehead made his collegiate debut, completing 8 of 15 passes for 94 yards. Junior quarterback Mason Lister completed 4 of 7 passes for 49 yards. 

The Pioneers scored touchdowns on their first two possessions of the game, both in the first quarter. Pallouras connected with tight end Logan Frederick for a 32-yard score, and Szalkowski found Frederick, who totaled eight catches for 129 yards, for a 22-yard touchdown. 

On its third possession, Utica drove 57 yards on 10 plays and went ahead 17-0 on a 24-yard field goal from Nico Duarte. 

The Cardinals showed some life on the subsequent possession, engineering a seven-play, 62-yard march that freshman running back Christian Beason capped with a two-yard touchdown run to make it 17-7. However, the Pioneers delivered the knockout blow just before halftime as Szalkowski ripped a 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bryce Palmer to put the Cardinals in a 24-7 hole. 

After the Cardinals had to punt on the first drive of the second half, Pallouras rushed for a one-yard touchdown to end an eight-play, 88-yard drive midway through the third quarter. 

Game Notes

• Beason's touchdown in the first quarter marked the first of his collegiate career. 

• Junior linebacker Isaiah Bretz snagged his first collegiate interception in the fourth quarter. 

Up Next

The Cardinals have another Empire 8 road contest next Saturday, Nov. 8, against SUNY Morrisville.