WASHINGTON – The Catholic University of America football team trailed by seven at the half against the Coast Guard Academy, but the Cardinals regrouped in the second, outscoring the Bears 26-3 for a 40-24 victory.

Senior quarterback TJ Tutone went over 330 yards passing and three touchdowns for the third-straight game. Junior running back Matt Perno eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark, breaking loose for two rushing scores while classmate Lucas Morley tied a career high with 13 catches, going for 131 and two receiving scores.

Though Tutone did not reach 350 yards passing or four scores in a game for the first time this season, he did set a career high by completing passes to 10 different receivers in the contest.

CUA's defense stepped for head coach Dave Dunn, nearly posting a scoreless second half. Junior linebacker Ross Sanford led the way with 10 total tackles while both Nicholas Della Jacona and Matt Christensen registered big days. Della Jacona had 7.5 tackles including a sack, while Christensen posted 6.5 tackles and two pass breakups.

"It's a good win after digging ourselves a hole in the first half. We cleaned things up and cut out the turnovers," said Dunn. "We know that we can get better and we haven't played our best football yet. I'm excited to see where we are in a few weeks."

Catholic struck first in the game as a lateral pass to tight end Jamie Young led to a trick play score as Young found positional teammate Victor Fernandez for a 28-yard touchdown.

Coast Guard took over from there in the first half as a CUA missed field goal, a pick-six, punt and fumble lost on the Cardinals' next four possessions gave the Bears a 14-7 lead.

Catholic got one back on Perno's first score of the day as a 23-yard rush highlighted the 74-yard scoring drive and eventual one-yard TD.

The tie would not last however as Coast Guard's Derek Victory went long for a 27-yard touchdown with two minutes left in the half.

It was all Catholic in the second however as Tutone and Morley got back on the same page in a big way after a down week. CUA's QB found his third-year wideout three times on the second drive of the half, going for three, 13 and finally a nine-yard touchdown.

On the ensuing kickoff, Coast Guard fumbled as Justin Paige came up with the ball to set up Perno's second touchdown of the day on the very next play.

Coast Guard kicked a 27-yard field goal on the next possession, but CUA quickly answered with a 62-yard, quick-strike drive, which took just 1:37 and ended with a four-yard TD catch from Billy Conroy.

CUA capped the day with a 21-yard strike from Tutone to Morley which pushed Catholic to 40 points, its highest total of the season.

The defense, which only allowed 13 points, including a touchdown after a fumble deep in its own zone, also a posted a season-best in points allowed.

The Cardinals will look to take the momentum into its bye week as they prepare for a road matchup at Hampden-Sydney on October 3 to kickoff ODAC play.