Football Earns Incredible Victory in Season Opener

9/6/2008

WINCHESTER- A fake field goal in its first overtime possession gave Catholic University (1-0) an edge over host Shenandoah University (0-1) Saturday evening. 

Catholic University wasted no time in showing its dominance to the opposing team. Wide receiver Andrew Buis (Gaithersburg, Md./Gaithersburg) posted CUA's first points of the evening from an 18 yard pass from Keith Ricca (Poolesville, Md./St. John's Prospect Hall).

Ryan McManus (Malvern, Pa./Malvern Prep) also scored for the Cardinals, and with a field goal by junior Brendan Deluca (Gambrills, Md./St. Mary's Md.), the team found themselves ahead 17-3 by the 11:06 mark of the second quarter. 

Refusing to face defeat, Shenandoah exploded back to tie the game at 17-17 with 36 seconds remaining in third. The Hornets then attempted a 54-yarder that fell short, and the teams were forced into overtime.

CUA won the OT coin toss, but the Hornets scored a 36-yard field goal in the first OT possession, giving them their first lead of the night.

The Cardinals were faced with converting a 4th and 12 on the SU 27 to have any chance at a victory. CUA faked the attempt, and third string quarterback Dan Jones (Blackwood, N.J./Paul VI) hit Sean Green (Salisbury, Md./Parkside) who made his way into the endzone untouched for the game-winning score.

Ricca led Catholic's offense with 203 yards passing on 18 completions in 37 attempts. The Cardinals return to the field September 13th with a home game against Franklin and Marshall at 1 p.m.