UTICA, NY – The Utica College football team scored 33 unanswered points and held visiting St. John Fisher College scoreless for the final 56:52 of the contest to earn a convincing 33-7 victory in Empire 8 Conference action at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Pioneers have now defeated the Cardinals in two of their last three meetings and they also claimed the second annual New York State Tool Believe Bowl trophy as the contest was dedicated to firemen battling cancer and underprivileged children from the Thea Bowman House.
Utica wrapped up a four game homestand by snapping a two game losing streak as the Pioneers improved to 3-2 overall on the year and evened their record at 1-1 in the Empire 8. Head Coach Blaise Faggiano also earned his 50th career win in the decisive victory. St. John Fisher's record moved to 0-4 on the year and 0-2 in the E8.
Utica senior runningback Malcolm Stowe (Coram, NY/Longwood) posted his third consecutive 100+ yard rushing effort and he also punched in a touchdown for the Pioneers. Stowe has now moved into fourth on the College's all-time rushing list with 1,568 career yards on the ground, surpassing Jake Larson '13.
The Pioneer defense stole the show, holding Fisher to just 236 yards of total offense. Fisher posted -12 rushing yards on the ground and the Pioneers picked off four passes. UC also forced seven punts and held the Cardinals to a 4-for-17 effort on third downs. Fisher was also 0-for-2 in the red zone.
Mark Taylor (Buffalo, NY/Kenmore West) led the way with a team-best nine tackles and he also posted two interceptions. His first interception of the day was returned 74 yards for a score and gave the Pioneers a 16-7 lead before the half. Dehstin Smart (Paterson, NJ/Hackensack) and Matthew McCoy (Sherrill, NY/Vernon Verona Sherrill) each added an INT for Utica. Robbie Schempp (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas) posted 1.5 sacks and 2.5 TFL's. UC totaled four sacks on the day, including one each from Jack Derby (Fonda, NY/Fultonville Fonda) and Shane Walpole (Mechanicville, NY/Shenendehowa).
Utica freshman quarterback Logan Wilcox (Utica, NY/Proctor) completed 12 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown. The lone passing touchdown of the day was a 14 yard corner ball to Peyton Miller (Chemung, NY/Waverly) to give the home team a commanding 26-7 lead with 13:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
Brad Dougherty (Rome, NY/Rome Free Academy) capped the scoring on the day for Utica as he found pay dirt from eight yards out with 48 ticks left in regulation.
Utica kicker Maki Medici (Watervliet, NY/Shaker) made a 27 yard third quarter field goal and he also was a perfect 4-for-4 on extra point attempts.
Fisher's Alejandro Utset came on in relief of Joshua Michels and completed 17 passes for 142 yards but he also threw three interceptions and was sacked three times. Cam Cleveland caught the lone TD of the day for Fisher, a 45 yard strike from starter Joshua Michels just 3:08 into the first quarter to give the visitors an early 7-0 lead. The Pioneers responded with a team safety later in the quarter after the Fisher center delivered an errant snap that rolled out of the back of the end zone.
Cameron Bellino posted a team-high 12 tackles for Fisher while Michael Chase added an interception.
Although Utica's four game homestand has come to a close following Saturday's bout with Fisher, the Pioneers will not have to travel far for their sixth regular season contest. Utica will head to nearby Morrisville State next Saturday when the Pioneers take on the host Mustangs at 12 p.m.
Utica Scores 33 Unanswered Points to Down Fisher
/seasons/2018/boxscores/20181006_28v5.xml
2018
St. John Fisher
7
Utica
33
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. John Fisher (0-4) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Utica (3-2) | 2 | 14 | 3 | 14 | 33 |
Oct 06, 2018