PITTSFORD, N.Y. – Utica quarterback Tyler Szalkowski threw three touchdown passes and rushed for a score as the Pioneers defeated St. John Fisher 35-14 on Saturday afternoon at Growney Stadium.
The Cardinals fell to 5-3 overall (2-3 Empire 8 Conference) and have now lost consecutive games for the first time this season. Utica, winners of three consecutive games, improved to 7-1 overall (4-1 Empire 8).
Behind a fantastic passing performance from Szalkowski, who completed 36-of-43 passes (83.7%) for 259 yards, the Pioneers amassed 425 yards of total offense on 78 plays (5.4 yards per play). The Pioneers gained 31 first downs and punted only once.
Tight end Logan Frederick led Utica with 14 catches for 132 yards and two touchdowns, while Gabriel Zawalo hauled in 11 passes for 46 yards. Scott Thompson, who had seven receptions for 44 yards, accounted for Utica's other receiving score. Running back Drevariis Yeomas amassed 115 of Utica's 166 yards rushing and scored a touchdown on 22 carries.
St. John Fisher senior quarterback Ryan Whitney went 22-of-41 passing for 248 yards and two touchdown passes, both to senior wide receiver Jackson Cusack, who finished with 10 catches for 94 yards. Senior tight end Nate McGoldrick caught two passes for 65 yards.
Senior linebacker Colin Faust led the Cardinals' defense, recording 15 tackles, including one for a loss, and a pass breakup. Defensive lineman Austin DeGroat recorded two sacks for the Pioneers.
How It Happened
Utica opened the game with a methodical 15-play drive, converting three third downs while rushing for 41 yards. Szalkowski completed each of his first six passes and capped off the drive with a six-yard touchdown to Frederick.
Szalkowski's first incompletion occurred on the following Pioneer possession, forcing Utica to attempt a field goal on 4th-and-3. A consequential series of events followed, as junior Ryan Ross blocked the kick, but Fisher touched the ball moments later, and Utica recovered it past the first-down marker. With new life, the Pioneers wasted no time to extend the lead as Szalkowski connected with Frederick for an 18-yard rip over the middle, giving Utica a 14-0 advantage with just over 13 minutes left in the second quarter.
The Pioneers forced another Fisher punt and put together a near 70-yard drive in under five minutes that ended with a 13-yard rushing touchdown by Yeomas.
With three timeouts in its back pocket, Utica configured a 13-play drive setting up a 42-yard field goal attempt that came up short, leaving the Cardinals in a 21-point hole into the locker room.
After a promising start out of halftime, Fisher attempted a punt that was deflected and picked up for an additional 21 yards, setting Utica's offense up at the Fisher 46-yard line. The Pioneers took full advantage of the field position and orchestrated an eight-minute drive capped by a one-yard touchdown plunge by Szalkowski.
The following possession for Fisher turned out to be its best of the afternoon, as the Cardinals went 76 yards in three plays, ending in an 11-yard touchdown connection from Whitney to Cusack. McGoldrick recorded both of his receptions on that drive.
Utica responded with its fifth scoring drive of the afternoon, as Szalkowski, on 4th-and-goal from the 5-yard line, threw across his body on the run for a touchdown to Thompson.
Cusack snagged his second touchdown of the game with under two minutes remaining, cutting the Utica lead to 35-14.
Game Notes
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Whitney now has 31 career touchdown passes, tied with Curt Fitzpatrick (31 from 2001-04) for sixth in program history.
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Cusack now has 118 career receptions (8th in Fisher history) and has 15 career touchdown receptions (9th in Fisher history).
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Faust had a game-high and career-best 15 tackles (11 solo), 1 TFL, and a PBU
Up Next
The Cardinals are back at Growney Stadium next Saturday, Nov. 7, for a 1 p.m. kickoff against SUNY Morrisville. St. John Fisher will honor its seniors before the game.
