Football | 9/6/2025 5:43:00 PM
EDITOR'S NOTE: Stats from the game are not finalized. This article will be EDITED when updated information is received.
MADISON, NJ – As he prepared for his first game in charge of the St. John Fisher football program, Ed Raby Jr. had one big question on his mind: How would his team respond to adversity when things get real? The Cardinals on Saturday overcame a handful of early squandered scoring chances in a 21-0 victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham to open the Raby era at Robert T. Shields Field. The shutout marked Fisher's fourth in the last 10 seasons.
Raby and his staff have to be pleased with the first answer their team provided.
The Cardinals also snapped a two-game losing streak in season openers with the victory.
How It Happened
-
The Cardinals' first missed opportunity came on the game's first drive, when they drove deep into FDU territory only to be stuffed on a Camden Chance rush on 4th-and-2 from the 19-yard line.
-
Fisher got the ball back quickly after its defense forced FDU to punt after three plays, but quickly gave it right back to the Devils. Chance fumbled at the end of a 13-yard carry that would've given the Cardinals a first down at the FDU 30-yard line.
-
The Cardinals' defense responded with a big play of its own, as sophomore defensive back Matthew Bennett snagged an interception at the FDU 47-yard line following a 12-yard run from Devils running back Kwanir Edwards.
-
Senior running back Deante Hall began Fisher's next offensive possession with a pair of short runs before junior quarterback Ryan Whitney connected with wide receiver Jaylen Brantley for a 38-yard gain. The fifth-year senior made the catch in traffic over the middle and raced all the way to the FDU 2-yard line.
-
Once again, though, the Cardinals couldn't cash in. A pair of Whitney incompletions and a Hall run for no gain, a three-play stretch that included a false-start penalty, forced Fisher to settle for a 17-yard Dominik Greco field goal attempt. He missed the kick wide right.
-
The Cardinals more than made up for their early miscues in the second quarter, scoring all 21 of their points in quick succession. All in less than nine minutes, Hall scampered for a 39-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-1, Whitney connected with sophomore Shawn Watson for a 33-yard touchdown strike and junior safety Timothy Vanderbrink returned a fumble about 35 yards to the end zone. The latter two scores happened in a span of 31 seconds.
-
The Cardinals forced two more turnovers in the third quarter, as Vanderbrink and freshman defensive back Colin Clark recovered fumbles to end back-to-back FDU drives. The Devils also turned the ball over on downs and missed a field goal in the second half.
Game Notes
-
Raby has won four straight season openers as a head coach.
-
Hall rushed for a career-high 104 yards on 14 attempts. His touchdown in the second quarter marked the first of his collegiate career.
-
A handful of other Cardinals also achieved notable collegiate firsts in the contest. That list includes Bennett (interception), Clark (fumble recovery) and Watson (touchdown reception).
-
Vanderbrink led the Cardinals' defense with nine tackles, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.
-
Whitney finished the day with nearly 200 yards passing. He connected with Brantley five times for 83 yards.
-
The Cardinals have shut out an opponent in each of the last two seasons. They blanked Hartwick 56-0 last October at Growney Stadium.
-
The Cardinals have scored four defensive touchdowns since the beginning of last season.
-
The Cardinals' four turnovers forced marked their most in a game since a 49-21 win over Hartwick on 10/19/2019. They also forced four in that game.
Up Next
The Cardinals host St. Lawrence at noon next Saturday, Sept. 13, at Growney Stadium.