WASHINGTON – It was a devastating start to the season for The Catholic University of America football team, as a three-quarter lead quickly became a 34-31 season opening loss to the Green Terror of McDaniel College on Friday night in front of a packed crowd at Cardinal Stadium.

CUA junior running back Evan Calvo led the Cardinal (0-1) offense with 92 yards on 23 carries, and two of Catholic's touchdowns.  Despite his costly turnovers in the second half, junior quarterback TJ Tutone went 30-for-44 for 339 yards and one touchdown.  Sophomore inside linebacker Ross Sanford tallied seven tackles on the night, as four were solo.

Catholic offense came alive in the opening minutes of play scoring two touchdowns in the less the five minutes.  Calvo capped a 9-play, 81-yard drive with a 12-yard run into the end zone.  Sophomore kicker Peter Rosa notched the PAT for a 7-0 lead.  Sophomore Justin Paige pushed the lead to 14-0 shortly after on a fumble recovery, as he concluded a 43-second drive with 5-yard touchdown catch from Tutone.

CUA took another early leap in the second quarter, advancing to a 21-0 lead within seconds.  Calvo took a short 4-yard trot to score the final touchdown of the half.

McDaniel kicked up their offensive effort in the third, as they finally got on the scoreboard.  McDaniel's Seth McFall utilized his short-passing game to connect with Mike Oliveto just six-yards away.  The touchdown capped a 69-yard, 13 play drive.

Catholic added three points to the scoreboard, as Rosa made good on his 30-yard field goal attempt for 24-7 Cardinal lead.

The Green Terror continued to find their groove, as they registered more first downs in the third quarter, than the entire first half.  On their second drive of the quarter, McDaniel scored another touchdown, turning the Cardinal season opener into a 10-point football game.  On a first-and-goal, MC's Tayahd Campbell rushed for 21-yards to bring the Green Terror within 10 points at 24-14.

Catholic entered the fourth quarter with a bit of pressure on their heels, as the Green Terror outscored the mighty black and red 14-3 in the previous quarter.

Tutone stepped up to the challenge in the fourth, scoring a three-yard touchdown to advance to a 31-14 advantage. 

McDaniel hit the ground running once again, as Sean Montgomery rushed for 37 yards, followed by an additional 30 yards from Seth McFall.  The Green Terror continued to creep towards the end zone coming with a yard.  With MC one-yard from a touchdown, the Catholic defense locked up and stopped three attempts and finally forcing a fumble to recover possession.

Catholic came close to another touchdown when Matt McMahon rushed for 61 yards, but on a late whistle by the officials resulted in a touchdown callback.

Adding to their frustrations, CUA committed a costly fumble, which McDaniel turn into 39-yard touchdown, once again bringing the margin within 10 points.

Despite gathering 42-yards in seven plays and creating a second-and-goal, Tutone shattered the Cardinals chances, as he threw his second pass intended for a Cardinal into McDaniel gloves.

After committing a 5-yard penalty, McDaniel recorded its longest reception of the night with a 59-yard completion from McFall-to-Oliveto.

The Green Terror eventually made their way down the field again and turning a 4-plays for 80-yards into another touchdown.  McDaniel trailed the Cardinals 31-28.

Tutone threw his third interception of the night with 2:38 to go. 

With the ball in their possession, McDaniel utilized an even combination of passing and rushing to break through the Cardinal defensive and take a 34-31 lead.

The Cardinals had the opportunity to tie with 9-seconds remaining on the clock, but Rosa sealed Catholic's fate as he missed a 29-yard field goal.

CUA returns to Cardinal Stadium on Saturday, September 20 to host the Newport News Apprentice School at 1:00 p.m.

Notes: Tonight's loss marks the first opening season loss to McDaniel since 2010.

 -CUA-