WASHINGTON, D.C – The Catholic football team plays its first home conference game of the season on Saturday afternoon against Juniata on Family Weekend. Kickoff is set for 1 pm on Cardinal Stadium.

SERIES HISTORY

The Cardinals and Eagles have only matched up two times in the program's histories, both coming since Catholic football joined the Landmark in 2023. Catholic has knocked off Juniata in both meetings over the past two years by scores of 56-22 and 34-20.

THE LAST MEETING

The Cardinals offense exploded when these two teams met last season in a convincing 56-22 victory in the season finale. Catholic racked up a season-high 643 yards of total offense in the win as John Whelan had a career day at quarterback with 377 yards and five touchdowns through the air. The Cardinals ran for 204 yards on the day and averaged over eight yards a play on offense.

Andrew Tabor had a solid day at receiver with three catches for 60 yards including a 30-yard touchdown catch. 56 points was the most points scored by the Cardinals in the 2024 season and the most points scored by a Catholic team in a game since 2000 (69 vs. Guilford, Nov. 4).

LAST WEEKS GAME

The Cardinals dropped a close one to Wilkes last time out in the conference opener, 15-13. Charles Gulbin shined at quarterback, after entering the game in the first half, completing 19 of his 27 passes for 229 yards and two touchdowns. Cade Chrebet had a solid game at receiver with six catches for 72 yards, both of which were career-highs. Tabor and John Maynes hauled in Gulbin's two touchdown passes.

Evan Chromy led the Cardinals in tackles with eight along with William Cavallaro also adding eight tackles. Chromy, Matt Ragusa and Sean Holt each led the team in TFL's with 1.5. Conor Jennings and Eric Islami also added half a sack in the contest. Catholic held Wilkes to just 120 total yards and forced four punts in the second half.

MILESTONE WATCH

Tabor enters Saturday's game just two catches shy of reaching 100 for his collegiate career. He racked up a career-high 59 catches in his sophomore season in 2023 and followed up with 31 catches in his junior year. He also had career highs in both yards and touchdowns in 2024 with 392 and five in those respective statistics. 

TEAM LEADERS

Chromy enters the game as the team leader in tackles with 34, including five TFL's and 1.5 sacks. Lawson Haylock and Michael Hopkins come in behind him with 20 each. Haylock leads the team in forced fumbles with two as he also has three TFL's this season. 

Daequan Harvin still leads the team in rushing even after missing last week's game with 285 yards and a touchdown. He averages 5.5 yards per carry which ranks second in the Landmark this season. Chrebet comes in leading the team in receiving with 15 catches for 179 yards and a touchdown. Nole Henry is not far behind him with 158 yards and a touchdown.

SPECIAL SPECIALISTS

Kieran Brenner has made an impact as the punter in his junior season as he currently ranks 16th in the country in yards per punt at 41.7. Tabor has also been solid in the return game for the Cardinals so far this season as he ranks 45th in the nation in combined return yards from kickoffs and punts.

SCOUTING JUNIATA

The Eagles come into the game with a 2-3 record but are currently riding a three game losing streak. Juniata opened up Landmark play with a 63-15 loss against Western Connecticut.

Juniata has one common opponent with Catholic this season in McDaniel and the Eagles fell to the Green Terror, 24-7. The Cardinals lone victory of the season thus far came against the Green Terror in week one, 10-7.

The Eagles offense has been more successful on the ground so far this season, led by Ivan Foreman who has 472 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.1 yards per carry. His seven rushing touchdowns rank second in the conference and 19th in the country. He is also 32nd in the nation in rushing yards and 46th in rushing yards per game.

Juniata's quarterback is Ethan Eisenberg and he has thrown for 418 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions on the season. Jordan Hamm leads the Eagles in receptions from the tight end position with 13 receptions for 116 yards and three touchdowns. Carter Marr leads the team in receiving yards with 125.

Ethan Shank leads the Eagles defense in tackles with 46, followed by Dillon Wakefield who has 39. Sam Gunning is the team leader in TFL's with 3.5 including a sack out of his 14 tackles on the season. Tucker Lowery has been the leader on the backend for Juniata with a pair of interceptions so far this season.