The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College football team scored 21 points in the first quarter, cruising to a 48-7 over host Frostburg State University on Saturday. It was the final meeting between the squads in Empire 8 play as Frostburg State will play in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) in 2015.
With the win, No. 7 Fisher improves to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in Empire 8 play, while Frostburg falls to 2-2, 0-2 respectively.
Chris Smith was extremely efficient on the day, scoring three rushing touchdowns on just nine carries. Quarterback, Tyler Fenti was equally impressive going 15-for-23, throwing for 204 yards and three scores. The senior quarterback connected with Nathan Nigolian for a touchdown in each half as he ended the day with six catches for 78 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball Fisher surrendered 194 yards on the day, including just 36 rushing yards.
Fisher found the end zone first after the defense forced a three-and-out on the opening drive. Nigolian put the Cardinals in great field position after taking the punt return 38 yards to the Frostburg 16 yard line. The key play of the drive came on third and eight when Fenti connected with Nigolian for a 13-yard reception down to the one yard line. On the very next play, Smith scored his second touchdown of the season.
The Fisher defense came up big again on the very next drive halting Frostburg on a fourth and one on the Cardinals 46. Tony Fusco picked up where he left off last weekend starting off the possession with a 29-yard run to put Fisher into scoring territory. Just four plays later Fenti connected with Nigolian for a 20-yard score on a lofted pass into the end zone, for a 14-0 advantage midway through the first quarter.
On just its third possession of the game, Fisher strung together a nine play, 57-yard drive, capped off by a 14-yard score on fourth and one from Smith with 2:16 remaining in the opening quarter. James Chambers accounted for 34 yards on the drive including 23 on the ground.
Following an empty offensive possession for the visitors, the Cardinals special teams sniffed out a fake punt a fourth and one, putting Fisher's drive start at the Bobcats 26. That led to Smith finding pay dirt for the third time on the day on a 11-yard rush up the middle to push Fisher's lead to 28-0 early in the second quarter.
The score would remain that way until late in the half when Frostburg capitalized on a Bobby Campese fumble near midfield. Quarterback Isaac Robison found Mike Ambrose for a five-yard touchdown with just six seconds remaining. Fisher led 28-7 at the half.
Fisher waisted no time getting things going in the second half taking the opening drive 51 yards, on eight plays. The drive was set up by a solid return from Chambers who went for 33 yards out to the Cardinals 49. It was a similar sight to end the drive, Fenti to Nigolian, for a eight yard touchdown to make it 35-7 in favor of the visitors.
The Cardinals lead increased to 42-7 in the closing seconds of the third quarter as Fenti threw his third touchdown pass of the day, a 24-yard pass to Mike Collichio in the corner of the end zone. Fisher benefitted from a 48-yard hookup on the drive from Fenti to Taylor Byrne.
In the fourth quarter Fisher brought in Matt Naton under center who hit Byrne on his first pass of the game for a 38-yard score. It was Byrne's first career touchdown. Following a missed extra point the Cardinals held a 48-7 lead which would prove to be the final score of the game.
Fusco rushed for 74 yards on eight carries while Chambers finished with 52 yards on the ground.
For the defense, Paul Leavell led the way with seven tackles along with one interception. Mike Donitzen notched six tackles while Peter DiMilia added five along with a half sack.
Fisher returns to action next weekend at 12 p.m. when it will host Salisbury University for Alumni Weekend.