Box Score St. John Fisher 63, Utica 36 - Box Score

Pittsford, N.Y. (10/29/2011) - Oneida, NY native Ryan Kramer had a huge day, rushing for 244 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, and he also added ten completions for 156 yards and touchdown pass, as the St. John Fisher College football team remained unbeaten in Empire 8 Conference play after a 63-36 win over visiting Utica College Saturday night.

Utica (5-3, 2-3 E8) was held to 12 first half points, but came on strong in the fourth quarter behind a career-high three
Junior running back Jake Larson (Bemus Point, NY/Maple Grove) totaled 66 yards on ten carries including a 58 yard touchdown run in the second quarter for UC.  Sophomore receiver Anthony Acevedo (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) caught five balls for 46 yards and a touchdown, while junior receiver Paul Smith (Niagara Falls, NY/Niagara-Wheatfield) caught his first collegiate touchdown in the fourth quarter.

All told, the contest featured a combined 967 yards of total offense and 99 points.  Fisher scored atleast 14 points in every quarter, and big plays were the name of the game, as the Cardinals scored five times on plays of 25 yards or longer. 

Kramer's touchdown runs of 54 yards, 25 yards, 64 yards and a 59 yard touchdown pass led to Fisher posting a 41 point lead, 56-15, with 12:05 left in regulation.  That's when Keyte came on and threw three touchdown passes in the final ten minutes to cut the Fisher lead to 27 as the final horn sounded. 

Fisher opened up a 21-0 lead in the first 15:31 of the contest behind two touchdown runs from Kramer and one from Cody Miller. 

However, UC would not go down easily, posting the next three scores of the contest.  Larson broke loose for a 58 yard touchdown run and the Pioneers forced a safety on the ensuing possession to cut the Cardinal lead to 21-9.  Junior kicker Seth Mitchell (Fonda, NY/Fonda-Fultonville) added a 38-yard field goal with 3:25 left on the first half clock, but the home team answered once again on the next drive, as Kramer scampered 15 yards for a score.  Fisher led 28-12 at the half. 

The Cardinals outscored UC 28-3 in the first 18 minutes of the second half to seal the victory. 

Utica senior tight end Tyler Malagisi (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville) caught his first touchdown of the year late in the fourth quarter, while junior Matt Dunn (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) made a team-high five catches for 88 yards.  Junior quarterback Andrew Benkwitt (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) left the game after three quarters of play.  He completed 20 passes for 168 yards, but he also threw three interceptions.  Mitchell capped the day going 2-for-2 on field goal attempts.  He knocked down field goal tries of 38 and 22 yards.  He was also 4-for-4 on extra point attempts. 

Freshman Shawn Mitchell posted a career-high seven tackles and he also broke up one pass for UC. Sophomore safety and team leading tackler Eric Rindo (Lancaster, NY/Lancaster) posted six tackles, while Luke Manolescu (New York Mills, NY/Notre Dame) added five stops of his own. 

UC returns home next Saturday when it hosts Springfield on senior day.   Fisher will square off against host Salisbury on Saturday in a game that will decide the Empire 8 Conference Champion. 

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