Late Touchdown is Key to CUA Victory
Cards win season opener 7-6 over Shenandoah

9/1/2007

WASHINGTON - With time winding down quarterback Keith Ricca (Poolesville, Md./St. John's Prospect) completed a 43-yard pass to Andrew Buis (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) to score CUA's only touchdown in the Cards' 7-6 victory over the Shenandoah Hornets Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium.  Thomas Breslin's extra point gave CUA the lead and an outstanding performance by the defense held on for the victory.  The win marked the first time Catholic University has won its season opener at home since 1998.

The CUA offense had its share of missed opportunities to start the contest as the unit came out of the gates a little rusty from the off season.  The Cardinals first three drives ended in an interception and two missed field goals.  However a solid defensive performance in the first half kept it close.  Of Shenandoah's first six drives only one went more than three plays as CUA forced four punts and Anthony DelBorrell (Laurel, Md./DeMatha) recovered a fumble.

Shenandoah scored on another field goal to make it 6-0 going into the half.  Even with the deficit the Cards were just a touchdown away despite three turnovers and two missed field goals on the half.

The second half started strong for CUA defensively as the unit held Shenandoah to six plays forcing a punt, which was blocked by Dean Petrone (Hamilton, N.J./The Hun School), giving the Cardinals excellent field position.  However, once again after getting into the red zone CUA missed the field goal to remain down by six.

Despite the miss, the blocked punt gave CUA momentum and from that moment on it was just a matter of time before another big play would turn the game around.  Nick Olivero (Fairfax, Va./W.T. Woodson) intercepted Richard Glick's pass on the next drive but the offense was unable to make anything materialize. 

Finally with time winding down in the game the Cards forced the Hornets to punt going three and out.  Ricca, who had been stalking the sidelines during the defensive series talking to his teammates, gathered his receivers and produced a six play drive resulting in the touchdown.  Ricca completed two passes to freshman Rich Barry to move into Hornet territory before sending up a 43-yard bomb to Buis who had beat his defender on the left side.  Breslin hit the most important kick of the afternoon giving CUA the lead and the eventual 7-6 victory.

Freshmen highlighted the Cardinal leader board especially on the ground with Chris Daley (Olney, Md./Good Counsel) netting 48 yards in 14 carries.  Behind him were classmates Barry (20 yards, five carries) and Chris Ashley (Chalfont, Pa./La Salle) (nine yards, two carries).  Buis led all receivers with 117 yards while senior Noah Rogers (Lorton, Va./Bishop O'Connell) added 51 with eight catches.  Ricca was 21-40 for 196 yards and one touchdown.

On the defensive side Bill Gross (Southampton, Pa./Archbishop Wood) had 11 tackles on the day while DelBorrell had 10 along with a forced fumble.  Sophomore Ed Coleman (Green Bay, Wis./Notre Dame) had two sacks along with Gross, Olivero and Achille Kolla (Rockville, Md./Bethesda-Chevy Chase) each posting an interception.

The Cards will travel to Ohio Wesleyan next weekend for a noon game against the Battling Bishops.