PITTSFORD, N.Y. – The Ithaca College football team fell to 4-4 on the season and 3-3 in the Empire 8 Conference with a 34-17 loss at No. 24 St. John Fisher College on Saturday afternoon at Growney Stadium. The conference foes were neck-and-neck in the first half, but Ithaca was outscored, 21-7, over the final 30 minutes of action.

After Fisher received the opening kickoff and was held to a three-and-out, the Bombers got on the board first with a 23-yard field goal off the foot of freshman DJ Ellis with 8:59 remaining in the first quarter. Ithaca moved into scoring position thanks to a pass interference and personal foul on Fisher, accompanied by three 10-plus-yard gains by the offense.

The Cardinals would punt again after the field goal, but pinned Ithaca deep in its own territory at the 3-yard line. Three plays later, senior Wolfgang Shafer was sacked in the end zone to give Fisher its first points of the game with just over five minutes remaining in the period.

Fisher took over possession at its own 49-yard line after the free kick and return. The Cardinals burned the final 4:59 of the quarter and brought the ball all the way down to the Bombers' 3-yard line as time expired.

After changing ends of the field, the Cardinals punched in a touchdown on the first play of the second quarter, and was then successful on a two-point conversion to take a 10-3 lead.

Ithaca punted on its next drive, but got the ball right back as sophomore Pat Minogue intercepted Fisher on its first play from scrimmage, and took over at Fisher's 20-yard line with 11:12 to go in the half.

The Bombers knotted the game at 10-10 on an 8-yard pass from Shafer to junior Evan Skea after a roughing the pass on 4th-and-5 kept Ithaca's drive going.

Fisher had an opportunity to regain the lead with 5:51 left on the clock, but missed a 34-yard field goal. Ithaca was unable to flip the field after Fisher's miss and gave the ball back on a 25-yard punt that spotted the Cardinals at Ithaca's 40.

Devin Dzikowicz redeemed himself with a 30-yard make to put Fisher back in front, 13-10, with 20 seconds left. Ithaca took a knee to wind down the remaining time in the first half.

It took more than 11 minutes of action in the third quarter before either team could score. Fisher built its advantage to 20-10 on a 13-yard pass from Matt Naton to Dylan Harrington at the 3:51 mark. Naton threw for 59 yards on the eight-play drive.

The Bombers got back to within three points on the opening play of the fourth quarter, 20-17, on a 14-yard pass from Shafer to senior Brian Balsamo. Ithaca started the drive on its 23-yard line and quickly moved down the field on a 39-yard completion from Shafer to freshman Will Gladney.

Fisher wasted no time in re-establishing its double-digit cushion, as Naton found William Coon for a 73-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage to make the score, 27-17, and 14:37 left in the game.

Ithaca tried to grab the momentum back on an apparent 67-yard connection between Shafer and Gladney that brought the ball all the way down to the Fisher 2-yard line, but the play was called back due to illegal touching.

Now facing 3rd-and-3 at the 38, the Bombers were called for unsportsmanslike conduct and pushed back to the 23. Ithaca was then forced to punt, and Fisher broke through the line and blocked the kick, which was scooped up at the 1-yard line and returned for a touchdown for the eventual final score.

The Bombers turned the ball over on a pair of interceptions to thwart any attempt for a comeback.

Shafer threw for 200 yards on 17-of-29 passing with two touchdowns and an interception. Gladney pulled in five catches for a career-high 103 yards, while junior Tristan Brown recorded 68 yards rushing on 19 carries.

Defensively, junior Kenny Bradley and sophomore Jimmy Sullivan led the way with 11 tackles apiece. Minogue notched eight stops with a pick, while senior Rob Barbieri recorded seven tackles and a pass breakup.

The defense had 10 tackles for loss and two sacks.

Fisher outgained Ithaca in the game, 334 to 245. The Cardinals threw for 251 yards and rushed for 83, while the Bombers had 200 yards passing and 45 yards rushing.

Up next for Ithaca is Buffalo State on November 5 at Butterfield Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. for Family Weekend and Senior Day.