Tim Bailey compiled a Fisher-record 417 yards of total offense,
as the St. John Fisher College football team cruised to a 34-7 win over host Springfield College on Saturday in an Empire 8 Conference matchup.
With the win, Fisher improves to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the Empire 8, while Springfield, who entered the game ranked No. 1 in the New England Football Coaches Poll, falls to 7-2, 3-2.
Fisher can clinch a share of the Empire 8 Conference title with a win at Hartwick College next Saturday, but also needs Alfred University to lose to Utica College, to earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship. The Cardinals have won a share of the Empire 8 title three times in the last five years.
Bailey passed for 338 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-30 attempts with no interceptions. He also ran the ball eight times for 79 yards, including a career-long 59 yard run. The junior quarterback broke the old record of 389 yards, which he set last year.
While Bailey directed an offense that produced 533 yards of total offense, the Fisher defense held Springfield, who ranks 15th nationally in total offense and second nationally in rushing offense, to just 183 yards of total offense. The Pride rushed for 154 yards – nearly 225 yards below their season-average and scored their lone touchdown with less than three minutes left in the game.
Senior running back Brad Carlton scored a career-high three touchdowns for Fisher. Carlton caught seven passes for a career-high 106 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed 19 times for 75 yards and scored two touchdowns on the ground.
Andy Episcopo led the Fisher defense with 11 tackles and one forced fumble.
Brenden Moore, who played at Springfield last year, tallied 10 tackles and recovered fumble, while fellow Springfield-transfer
Chris Sawyer added eight tackles and one sack.
Fisher took the lead on its second possession, as the Cardinals drove 97 yards on 11 plays and led 7-0 with Marcus Miles scoring on an 11-yard pass.
The Cardinals pushed their lead to 14-0 in the closing moments of the second quarter, marching 80 yards on just four plays, with Carleton scoring on an 18-yard pass.
Dan Witkowski, who finished with 102 yards receiving on four receptions, highlighted the drive with a 53-yard reception.
Fisher scored touchdowns on three of its first four drives of the second half. Carlton plunged into the end zone from one yard out on its first drive of the second half. Witkowski scored on a 20-yard pass early in the fourth quarter, while Carlton closed out the scoring with an 11-yard run with 6:35 left.