Football | 10/28/2023 6:00:00 PM
PITTSFORD, NY – The St. John Fisher University football team played their final home game of the season on Saturday as they celebrated senior day before taking on Alfred University. After the pre-game celebrations concluded, the Cardinals got to business and earned a 30-12 win over the Saxons. It moves the team to 5-3 overall and 2-2 in Empire 8 games.
The game started with the Cardinals getting the ball and working 60 yards down the field in 11 plays, including a 23 yard pass play from Aaron Chase to Michael Escobar. Logan Laratta took the 32-yard field goal and pushed the team in front 3-0. Fisher forced a three-and-out, and after once again ending a long-drive with a field-goal attempt, this time Laratta pushed his kick wide of the target.
The defense held firm to start the second frame, forcing another punt. Chase found Declan Faery for a 21-yard gain and Peyton Nolan rushed for 50 yards on five attempts including a touchdown to put the Cardinals ahead 10-0. Another punt, led to more points for Fisher. The team went 73-yards down the field in 11 plays and Nolan added his second score of the day to go in front 16-0 heading into halftime.
Alfred started the second half with a 19 play drive that took almost ten minutes of game time off the clock, but they were unable to complete a fourth and goal and turned the ball over to Fisher. Unfortunately, the ball was given right back to the Saxons with a fumble. Alfred took advantage of the opportunity and scored their first touchdown of the day to cut the deficit to 16-6.
In the fourth quarter, Chase capped off a 9 play, 73 yard drive with a ten yard toss to Escobar, to give the team a 23-6 lead. A couple of possessions later, Chase once again found the endzone this time it was Faery. Despite a late score by the Saxons, Fisher held on for the 30-12 win.
Nolan led the way with 162 yards on 29 rushing attempts and two touchdowns. Giovanni DiCaprio was also strong with 62 yards on 10 carries. Chase finished the day throwing 14-for-22 for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Escobar and Faery both had five receptions and combined for 139 yards and two touchdowns.
Up next for the Cardinals is a road matchup against Morrisville State. The game will be on Saturday, Nov. 4 with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
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
www.empire8.com.
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