Football | 9/24/2022 9:37:00 PM
PITTSFORD, NY – The St. John Fisher University football team hosted Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Saturday as Fisher hosted Alumni Weekend. Both teams channeled an old school brand of football, as neither team was able to cross the end zone. The Cardinals kicked a field goal in the first quarter and it proved to be enough in a 3-0 victory over the Engineers. Fisher now holds a record of 2-2 and they hand RPI their first loss of the year and put them at 3-1.
The Cardinals immediately showed how they planned on playing the game, using 14 plays to go 55 yards in eight minutes to kick a field goal and go up 3-0. The defense was intense from the first possession, forcing RPI to punt in their first two possessions of the game. As Fisher took control of the ball at the end for the first quarter, they proceeded with a 16 play, 71 yard drive in 8:53 to put Kyle Farewell in position for another field goal, but it went just wide of the post. The Engineers were again forced to punt in their two possessions in the second quarter, not able to get in a position to score against the Fisher defense.
RPI began the second half with the ball and looked to move on the Fisher defense, but Justin Rodriguez had other plans. On a first and ten pass from the Engineers going to the right sideline, Rodriguez jumped on the route and intercepted the ball to give the Cardinals the momentum. Fisher was unable to take advantage of the turnover, but the defense continued to force punts and possession changes. With just over three minutes to play in the third, Andrew Casanova sacked the RPI quarterback to cause a turnover-on-downs.
The fourth quarter showed more of Fisher's defensive prowess as they forced another turnover-on-downs, pressuring the quarterback and forcing an incomplete pass. The Cardinals then looked to eat clock, taking 4:11 off before punting and then after forcing a 3-and-out, taking another two minutes away from RPI. The Engineers had a final chance with 20 seconds on the clock, but they had no time outs. They made it 31 yards on four plays, but their hail mary attempt fell short and Fisher won 3-0.
As a team, Fisher ran the ball 42 times for 87 yards, with Malachi Duvall carrying the load with 24 attempts for 60 yards. Gabe Maloni was the leading target for the Cardinals and he caught ten balls for 65 yards. Kyle Vachon and Joe Miscia were all over the defense, totaling seven tackles each. Casanova and Woodcock with had sacks on the day.
Up next is the highly anticipated Courage Bowl XVII. St. John Fisher will travel to Bob Boozer Field to take on SUNY Brockport at 6 p.m.
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The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
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