ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The College of New Jersey football team was defeated St. John Fisher College on Saturday by a final score of 40-16.

On the opening drive, the Cardinals were set up with a 1st and goal but the Lion defense forced a stop. On 3rd down, Erik Graham and Jared Lyles combined to sack the quarterback to force a field goal.

TCNJ countered with a 16 play, 88 yard touchdown drive a couple of possessions later. On a 3^rd and two from the TCNJ 20, Lion quarterback Andrew Donoghue connected with Vinny Guckin for a four yard hookup to move the chains. Guckin and Donoghue were in a rhythm, as they connected for five completions on that drive. Donoghue picked up a good chunk of yardage with a 23 yard rush to get down to the Cardinal 44. On a 3^rd and goal from the five, Donoghue rushed it in for a touchdown to make it a 6-3 game.

On the ensuing possession, James Mele came up with an interception to give the ball back to the Lions at their own 46 yard line. Donoghue connected with Guckin for an 11 yard gain, followed by an eight yard completion to get to the 37 yard line. Joe Ciempola picked up a 23 yard rush to get to the six. TCNJ went for it on 4^th and goal, and Donoghue found Jack Clevenger in the end zone for a touchdown to make it 12-3 with 10:20 to go in the second quarter.

The Lions forced a three and out on the next possession. Andrew Conzo and Lyles teamed up to take down the quarterback on 3rd down. The next score came when St. John Fisher net two points with a safety. With just over three minutes to play, Graham and Lyles sacked the quarterback again to force a 2^nd and 21.

TCNJ put up three points with a field goal right before the half ended. Mark Pacini picked up a nine yard rush, then Donoghue found Guckin for a 37 yard completion to get to the Cardinal 36 yard line. Donoghue connected with Clevenger for a 19 yard hookup to get down to the 14 yard line. Bobby Wortman's 27 yard field goal was good to make it a 16-5 lead.

With under six minutes to play in the third quarter, Anthony Cortazzo picked up a sack to force a 2^nd and 16 for the Cardinal offense. St. John Fisher was able to recoup after that, and drove down the field. The Cardinals scored with a Hunter Walsh touchdown pass to Pat Galer from 18 yards out to make it a 16-11 game.

St. John Fisher scored on a punt return touchdown to grab a 19-16 advantage with 13:26 to play in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals were able to control the remainder of the game to nab the victory.

Guckin exploded for 165 yards receiving on 15 catches. Clevenger added eight receptions for 94 yards and the touchdown. Donoghue went 28-46 on the day with 271 yards and a touchdown. Pacini picked up 39 yards rushing on the ground, while Ciempola added 32.

On the defensive side of the ball, Jeff Konzelman led TCNJ with eight tackles. Nick Celli picked up seven tackles, with two going for losses. Lyles made six tackles, and had 2.5 for losses with 1.5 sacks. Mele tallied six tackles to go with the interception.

Luke Young, Graham, and Lyles also racked up six tackles on the day.
 
TCNJ is on the bye week next week. The Lions are back in action on Oct. 5 at William Paterson.