WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The Catholic football team returns home for its final home game of the 2025 season on Saturday afternoon when they take on Lycoming in a Landmark matchup. Kickoff is set for 12 pm on Cardinal Stadium versus the Warriors. 

SENIOR DAY FESTIVITIES

The Cardinals will celebrate senior day prior to kickoff of Saturday's contest. 21 seniors will be honored for their contributions to the Catholic football program: Cade Chrebet (WR), Omari Owes (RB), Andrew Tabor (WR), Lawson Haylock (DE), Michael Hopkins (LB), John Maynes (WR), Nathan Miscichowski (TE), Tyler Donnelly (DB), James Campione (DB), John Manos (RB), Samuel Dumas (LB), Brett Agnew (OL), William Cavallaro (DB), Eric Islami (LB), Charlie Backe (OL), Ben Ciesielski (OL), Hayden Kennedy (WR), Nicholas Chang (WR), Sean Holt (DE), Zac Moubarki (DE) and Daniel McGowan (DT). 

At halftime of the game, there will be a special presentation of the Anthony J. Bottoni and Ronnie McManes Awards. Established in 2000, the Anthony Bottoni Award honors the team's outstanding senior leader and most valuable player. It is named in honor of Anthony Bottoni who was a two-year starter at right guard and member of the 1999 Old Dominion Athletic Conference championship team. He played on three consecutive NCAA playoff teams that compiled a 29-4 record. Since his passing in 1999, no other Cardinal has worn the number 76. 

The Ronnie McManes Award was established in 1998 to honor a Catholic University football player who has risen above adversity to excel athletically and academically. The award is named in honor of Ronnie McManes who helped rejuvenate football at Catholic in 1965 by becoming the University's first head coach after a 15-year hiatus.

SERIES HISTORY

This will be the fourth game all-time between the two programs in a series that dates back to November 21, 1998. The Warriors won the first meeting between the two schools 49-14. 

Since the two teams have been in the Landmark Conference, the series has been split 1-1. Lycoming won the first conference contest between the two 28-25, while Catholic picked up a victory last season on the road, 14-12. 

THE LAST MEETING

In last season's matchup, Joey Gulbin was responsible for both of the Cardinals touchdowns, one through the air and one on the ground. He connected with Ryan Smyth for a five yard touchdown reception early in the second quarter and scored on a qb sneak to give Catholic a 14-3 lead in the first half. 

The Catholic defense kept Lycoming out of the endzone until the final nine seconds of regulation and the Cardinals recovered an onside kick in the final seconds to secure the 14-12 victory. The Cardinals held the Warriors to just 2.5 yards per carry in the win and Holt had a standout game with seven tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble. Shane Toal finished the game with nine tackles and Hopkins also added seven with five solo tackles.

CONFERENCE LEADERS

The Cardinals have a handful of players near the top of statistics in the Landmark this season, led by Tabor who leads the conference in kick return yards this season at 462, which also ranks 22nd nationally. Tabor is also second in the league in receiving touchdowns with a career-high tying five. Charles Gulbin enters the game second in the conference in completion percentage at 60.1% and is also third in passing touchdowns with eight. Daequan Harvin is third in yards per carry in the conference this season, averaging 5.03, while also being third in the Landmark in rushing yards at 438. 

On the other side of the ball, Evan Chromy is fifth in the conference in tackles with 61 and fourth in the Landmark in tackles for loss with eight on the season. Donnelly leads the conference in pass breakups with seven and Haylock is tied for the conference lead in forced fumbles with three this season.

SCOUTING THE WARRIORS

Despite having a 3-5 record overall this season, Lycoming is 3-1 in conference play and has won three of its last four contests. Last week, the Warriors took down Wilkes 31-21 after a victory over Western Connecticut the week before. 

The Warriors offense is led by Terrence Oliver, who has been a force on the ground this season with 1,111 rushing yards which is third-most in the country. He is also in the top 30 in the country in yards per carry (6.4) and rushing touchdowns (9). 

Joe Lyons III has taken the bulk of the snaps at quarterback for Lycoming this season as he has 1,370 yards through the air with eight touchdowns and six interceptions. His top target has been Karson Kline who leads the team with 25 receptions for 368 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Dawson Debebe is second on the team in receiving yards with 331 and he also has two touchdown receptions.

Daniel Atsou is the leader of the Warriors defense as he leads the conference with 70 tackles and is second in the Landmark in tackles for loss with 13.5, both of which rank in the top 30 nationally. Matt Trolinger ranks behind him in tackles with 54, 35 of which are solo tackles. Christon Mitchell-Brown has gotten to the quarterback the most for Lycoming this season with three sacks. The Warriors defense ranks 29th in the country in TFL's this season.