Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
Nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College improved to 7-1 overall and 5-1 in the Empire 8 Conference with a 35-25 win over visiting Buffalo State College on Saturday at Fisher's Growney Stadium.
Fisher, ranked 15th nationally, racked up a season-high 583 yards of total offense in the win and can now clinch the Empire 8 Conference title with a win next Saturday at 1 p.m. at home against Ithaca College (6-2, 5-2).
Fisher's Mike Collichio finished eight catches for a career-high 174 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman Tony Fusco rushed for 158 yards and one touchdown on a career-high 29 carries.
Quarterback Tyler Fenti threw for 318 yards on 21-on-30 passing with two touchdowns and one interception – his first interception in 212 attempts, dating back to last year's national quarterfinals. He also rushed for 52 yards and two touchdowns.
Buffalo State took the early 7-0 lead with Rich Pete scoring on a 6-yard run less than four minutes into the game. The touchdown was set following a 46-yard flea-flicker pass from Dan Serignese to Ryan Carney.
The Cardinals answered right, marching 71 yards on 11 plays with Fenti scoring on a keeper from four yards out.
Following a 45-yard field goal from Buffalo State's Marc Montana, Fisher took a 14-10 lead with Fusco scampering 54 yards for a touchdown with 1:11 left in the first quarter.
Just 13 seconds later, the Bengals regained the lead with Carney scoring on a 73-yard to put the Bengals up 17-14 going into the second quarter.
Fisher took the lead for good on the ensuing possession with Collichio scoring on a 33-yard pass from Fenti with 12:39 left in the second quarter. The Cardinals seemed destined to extend its 21-17 lead in the closing moments of the first half, but couldn't convert on two rushing playing from the Bengals' 1-yard line.
After forcing the Bengals to punt on the opening drive of the second half, the Cardinals went 86 yards on 11 plays with Fenti scoring a on a 3-yard run to make it 28-17.
Buffalo State made it a three-point game on the second play of the fourth quarter, as Serignese scrambled in from five yards out to make it 28-23. The Bengals' Rich Pete scooped up a fumbled pitched-play on the two-point conversion and scored to cut the lead to three.
Fisher, however, answered right back. After a kick return from James Chambers into Buffalo State territory, Collichio scored on a 33-yard pass, tip-toeing down the left side lines for the game's final points.
Buffalo State penetrated deep into Fisher territory with just under five minutes left, but the Fisher defense stopped two rushing attempt from its own 1 to keep its 11-point lead.
Fisher, who regained the ball at own 2 with 4:35 left, was able to run out the clock, converting two third downs in the closing moments.
Defensively, Ryan Ballard led the Cardinals with 10 tackles and two pass breakups. Mark Guarino-Hyde registered his first two sacks in a Fisher uniform.
Nathan Nigolian finished the game with five catches for 72 yards, while Bobby Campese caught four balls for 54 yards.
Greg Lohrman was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points and averaged 38.5 yards on two punts.