from the desk of Jeffrey Rahmlow, St. John Fisher College Sports Information

ROCHESTER, NY - The nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College football team improved to 6-1 all-time in ECAC Bowl contests after dropping Western Connecticut State University, 28-14 in ECAC Northwest Bowl on Saturday held at Fisher's Growney Stadium.

With the win, the No. 21 Cardinals improve to 9-2 overall, while the Colonials fall to 7-4 to close out the 2014 season.

Senior linebacker Mike Donitzen was named the Most Oustanding Player after racking up a game-high 12 tackles, including 2.5 for loss and one sack.  Donitzen came into the game with 190 career tackles, finishing his excellent career in the Cardinal colors with 212.

Junior Danny Catan started at quarterback for the first time in his career, completing two long passes midway through the first quarter on Fisher's second drive, the second completion going for a 22-yard score to Bobby Campese.  Catan also connected on the drive with Justin Jacoby for a 39-yard pass to put the Cardinals into the red zone.

The visiting Colonials took advantage of a Catan interception at the 10:39 mark in the second half.  Quarterback Michael Nicol found Tyre Pinder on an 11-yard touchdown pass less than two minutes later, however a missed extra point attempt kept the Cardinals ahead 7-6.  Fisher led by that same score at the break.

Fisher was able to find the end zone again midway through the third quarter as Chris Smith went in from 1-yard out to push the Cardinals lead to 14-6.  The sophomore running back also busted a 24-yard run on the scoring drive.

Clinging to a one possession lead heading into the fourth quarter, Fisher got a huge boost from the defense as Brandon Fuentes picked off a Nicol pass in the end zone.  That helped to set up the game-winning score for Fisher as Chris Smith ran for a 30-yard rushing touchdown.  Smith finishes the season with nine touchdowns.

Western Connecticut State made the game interesting, scoring on a 16-yard touchdown pass with 6:49 to play in the game.  After a successful two-point conversion the Colonials pulled to with a touchdown, 21-14.

However, workhorse Tony Fusco crushed any hopes for the Colonials comeback attempt, as the freshman running back scampered for a 65-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage.  Fusco finished the game with 178 rushing yards to bring his season total to 1,172, becoming the sixth back in Fisher history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, and just the first freshman.

Jeff Carlin came up with an interception with just 1:36 to play to seal the Cardinals victory.

Catan ended the day 9-for-21 for 131 yards and a touchdown. 

Bryant Moore and Peter DiMilia combined for 17 tackles in the win.  DiMilia, Bandon Miller and Mark Guarino-Hyde each tallied a sack in the game.  Alec Morillaro also added an interception for Fisher.