Fisher Falls to Westminster in ECAC James Lynah Bowl
The St. John Fisher College football team lost 42-21 to Westminster College (PA) in the ECAC James Lynah Bowl Championship on Saturday in New Britain, Conn.
With the loss, the Cardinals finish the 2015 season with a 7-4 record and drop to 6-2 all-time in ECAC Bowl Championship games, while Westminster finished its season 9-2 following the win.
The Fisher offense got off to a promising start to the game, using over seven minutes of the clock on its first drive of the game, resulting in a touchdown. The 70-yard drive concluded with a
Taylor Byrne three-yard touchdown catch on a pass from
Matt Naton, as the Cardinals led 7-0 with 7:40 left in the first quarter.
It would not take long for Westminster to respond however, as the Titans returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown, tying the game 7-7 midway through the first quarter.
Later in the quarter, a good punt from
Brandon Fuentes pinned the Titans down at their own seven yard line. Despite that, Westminster managed to drive 93 yards in only two and a half minutes, scoring on a 16-yard rush to take a 14-7 lead. The Titans would add another touchdown early in the second quarter to eventually take a 21-7 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Westminster would extend its lead to 28-7 with 3:52 remaining in the third quarter following a 42-yard touchdown pass.
Fisher finally got its offense going late in the third quarter as Naton scored on a one-yard quarterback keeper to cap off a 10-play, 76-yard drive, making it a 28-14 game heading into the fourth quarter.
Westminster would not allow a comeback however, as the Titans scored on the first play of the fourth quarter. A 56-yard pass and catch from Westminster put the Titans up 35-14 with 14:50 remaining in the contest.
The Titans and the Cardinals would exchange touchdowns before the end of the game, ultimately resulting in the Westminster 21-point victory.
The Cardinals had a hard time moving the ball in the contest, totaling 243 yards of total offense and only 38 rushing yards as a team.
Fisher was led offensively by Naton who threw for 154 yards and a touchdown in addition to a rushing score.
Danny Catan also saw time at quarterback, throwing for 51 yards and a late touchdown pass.
Byrne finished the day with two touchdown catches along with four receptions for 30 yards, while
Nathan Nigolian totaled 71 yards on five receptions.
Defensively, the Cardinals were led by
Brandon Miller and
David Carroll as Miller totaled 12 tackles, while Carroll recorded seven tackles and an interception.