BUFFALO, N.Y.—St. John Fisher produced three first-half interceptions and had two rushing touchdowns by Dahmir Pross en route to a 23-6 victory over host Buffalo State in today's non-conference season opener at Coyer Field.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: St. John Fisher – 23, Buffalo State – 6
LOCATION: Coyer Field – Buffalo, N.Y.
RECORDS: St. John Fisher (1-0), Buffalo State (0-1)
INSIDE THE BENGAL BOX SCORE
- Senior quarterback Zak Ciezki (Cheektowaga/Cheektowaga) finished 15 of 29 for 183 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions in his first collegiate start.
- Jordan Evert (Amherst/Sweet Home) was the top receiving target with eight catches for 101 yards and a touchdown.
- Anthony Wasiyo (Troy/Hoosic Valley) led the Bengals' defense with 13 tackles including one for loss.
- Jay-Quan Wilson (Laurelton/Erasmus Hall) added 12 stops with 1.5 sacks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a pair of quick three-play drives to open the game, the Cardinals opened the scoring on their second possession with a seven-play, 55-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Pross.
- The Cardinals pushed the lead to 10-0 with a 33-yard field goal by Joe Dotterweich early in the second quarter.
- Buffalo State drove into Fisher territory twice later in the quarter, but both drives ended in interceptions, including one by Jason Rodriguez at the 1-yard-line with just nine seconds remaining before halftime.
- Fisher pushed the lead to 20-0 with points on each of its first two possessions of the third quarter, connecting on a 28-yard field goal by Dotterweich, followed by a 2-yard run by Pross.
- Buffalo State answered with its only score of the day in the closing minutes of the third quarter on a 45-yard strike from Ciezki to Evert, but the extra point attempt sailed wide to the left.
- A 41-yard field goal that bounced off the cross bar and went through by Dotterweich in the opening minute of the fourth quarter completed the scoring.
- The Cardinals finished with 336 total yards of offense, including 151 on the ground. Buffalo State had 236 total yards, and just 53 net rushing yards.
- Fisher won the turnover battle 3-0.
FOR THE FOES
- Pross ended with 115 yards on 23 carries with the two touchdowns.
- Walsh was 12 of 27 for 185 yards under center.
- Will Blake had five catches for 110 yards.
- Justin Wheeler had 13 tackles, including five for loss and three sacks.
- Roodriguez, Jack Fitzgerald and Anthony Manna all had interceptions.
UP NEXT
Buffalo State will travel to Utica next Saturday for another non-conference contest at noon.