ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Visiting Morrisville State College football came up short Saturday evening in a road battle with host #14 St. John Fisher College, dropping the Empire 8 decision by a 49-31 final in Rochester.
With the loss, the Mustangs drop to 0-6 on the year (0-4 Empire 8), while St. John Fisher improves to 6-0, remaining unbeaten in conference action at 4-0.
The Cardinals used 14 point quarters in each of the second, third and fourth frames to top the Mustangs, edging the visitors in total offense by a narrow 468 to 419-yard margin.
Morrisville State collected a season high 419 yards offense on the night, 275 through the air and another 144 on the ground.
Cory Benedetto (Rochester, N.Y.) was a dual threat for the Mustangs offensively, leading the running game with 13 net yards and three touchdown scores, while adding another 163 through the air on 21-of-37 completions.
Marcus Jackson-Conner (Sodus, N.Y.) was the main target for Benedetto, recording eight receptions for 117 yards, while Joseph Faniel (Clyde, N.Y.) added another 10 receptions for 74 yards.
Defensively, Lucas Graves (Goshen, N.Y.) led the Mustang efforts with eight total stops, including a sack for a loss of two yards, while teammate Tim Webber (Oswego, N.Y.) added eight stops and an interception.
St. John Fisher maintained a one possession lead throughout most of the contest, before a three-yard run by Benedetto early in the third tied the contest at 21.
The Cardinals then posted two straight scores to regain the lead, adding another two in the fourth quarter to pull away for the win.
Fisher gained 145 of their game total 184 yards rushing on the quick foot of Chris Smith, who in 22 carries tallied three touchdown scores.
Quarterback Collin Fiutko connected on 20-of-26 passes for 282 yards, seven to Mike Collichio who posted 77 total receiving yards on the night. Will Blake had a team high 87 on four receptions.
DJ Logory led the defensive unit for Fisher with 14 stops, three solo, while teammates David Carroll and Chris Biryla each added 11.
Morrisville State returns to action next Saturday, hosting Hartwick College at 1 p.m. on Drake Field.
Morrisville State College's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2016 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2016 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about Morrisville State College, visit www.morrisville.edu.
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