The football team forced five St. John Fisher College turnovers and defeated the Cardinals 19–8 in Rochester, New York, on Nov. 8 to clinch a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Bombers (7–2, 6–2) did not allow a Cardinals (7–2, 5–2) touchdown and forced two second half interceptions from Cardinals senior quarterback Tyler Fenti, who only had one interception this season prior to the game. Senior quarterback Tom Dempsey scored the decisive touchdown on a 4-yard scramble in the third quarter. Senior wide receiver Vito Boffoli sealed the Bomber win with a 24-yard touchdown pass to sophomore wide receiver Andrew Tabbert in the fourth quarter. It was Boffoli’s second passing completion of the season in as many attempts, with the last coming against Utica College on Oct. 4.
Junior cornerback Ryan Michaels and junior strong safety Noah Poskanzer each recorded interceptions, while junior defensive back Malik Morris broke up four passes as the Blue and Gold secondary shut down the Fisher passing attack. Though the Bomber offense struggled throughout the game, they were ultimately able to keep the game level at halftime as a result of two field goals from junior kicker Max Rottenecker, including a career-long 50-yarder as time expired in the second quarter.
The Bombers’ Empire 8 season is finished and they can clinch the outright conference title if Fisher loses to Alfred University on Nov. 15. The South Hill squad will travel to Cortland, New York, to take on the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons in the annual Cortaca Jug game that same day.