WASHINGTON, D.C. - Catholic University football was picked to finish third in the inaugural seven-team Landmark Conference Football preseason poll it was announced earlier today. The Cardinals posted a 6-5 record under
Mike Gutelius in 2022, earning a bid to the New England Bowl Series, the program's first trip to a bowl game since 2008.
Catholic nabs third-place in the poll with 25 points, finishing behind 22nd-ranked Susquehanna (36 points) and Wilkes (31 points). Lycoming (22 points), Moravian (15 points), Keystone (11 points), and Juniata (7 points) round out the coaches poll.
The Cardinals completed their final season in the NEWMAC in 2022, starting 5-0 in conference play to set up a battle with Springfield for the conference crown. Catholic dropped a tight contest to the Pride, missing out on the NCAA Tournament, but earning the bid to take on Bridgewater State in the bowl series.
Five All-NEWMAC athletes return for the Cardinals in 2023, including D3football.com All-Region selection
Malachi Hansen who was named a Region 1 Third Team Returner. Hansen was a first team all-conference selection in the NEWMAC as a returner and a second team selection as a wide receiver in 2022. Joining Hansen back in Brookland are
Nico Casares (1st Team QB),
Javier Oliver (1st Team OL),
Preston Jeffrey (1st Team WR), and
Carson Henry (2nd Team LB).
The veteran Jeffrey comes into the season with 117 catches, 1,705 yards, and 18 touchdowns in 30 career games as a Cardinal and will continue to form a tantalizing duo at receiver with Hansen who was a big-play threat, nabbing 32 balls for 554 yards and six scores in 2022. Four of the Cardinals' top-six pass catchers in 2022 return while all three quarterbacks who saw game action are back.
Defensively, Henry returns as the team's co-leading tackler from a year ago with 82 stops. Henry also led the team with nine tackles-for-loss.
Mason Stillwell returns in the defensive backfield after making 62 stops, breaking up five passes, and forcing and recovering a fumble in 2022.
Michael Hopkins (55 tackles, 6.5 TFLs) and
Aidan Long (44 tackles, 2 interceptions) are back as well as
Luke Brautigan (33 tackles, 1 interception) and
Jack Baldridge (29 tackles, 4 PBUs).
Connor Gill is back to lead one of the top punt units in Division III after netting 39 yards per punt in 2022 and pinning eight balls inside-the-20.
The Cardinals open up the 2023 season underneath the Cardinal Stadium lights on Friday, September 1 versus McDaniel. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and we encourage all attendees to wear BLACK!
| Team |
2022 Record |
Points (1st Place) |
| 1. Susquehanna |
10-1 |
36 (6) |
| 2. Wilkes |
7-3 |
31 (1) |
| 3. Catholic |
6-5 |
25 |
| 4. Lycoming |
4-6 |
22 |
| 5. Moravian |
3-7 |
15 |
| 6. Keystone |
3-7 |
11 |
| 7. Juniata |
0-10 |
7 |
