Catholic University of America

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The Catholic football team returned home on Saturday afternoon to take on 22nd-ranked Susquehanna in its first conference home game of the season on Family Weekend. After falling into a multi-score deficit in the first half, the Cardinals put together a strong third quarter to cut the River Hawks lead to 14, but ultimately ended up dropping the game 45-21.

The River Hawks took advantage of good field position early and often in the contest, putting up 21 points on three of their first four drives, two of which beginning inside the Cardinals 30 yard line. 
Catholic fell behind 28-0 before putting together an eight-play 41-yard touchdown drive after Ryan Creston forced a fumble and Evan Chromy snagged the loose ball out of the air to help set the offense up in good field position. 

Charles Gulbin got the drive going when he connected with Adrian Fresen for a 12-yard completion on third and six to move the chains. On the next play, Keegan Eichert sprung loose out of the back with a 22-yard carry that brought the Cardinals down to the two. Catholic drew a pass interference on fourth and goal at the five and took advantage of the penalty as Gulbin found Nole Henry at the front left pylon to get it on the board for the first time in his first game back this season. 

Despite Susquehanna putting 35 points on the board in the first half, Catholic's defense came away with some key plays in the opening 30 minutes, forcing four turnovers. Along with Creston, Noah Blessington and Chromy also forced fumbles that the Cardinals came away with and Jsai Smith added the first interception of his career. 

After forcing a three and out to begin the second half, Catholic received a jolt from Lamar West Jr. when he burst down the left sideline for a 57-yard run, the longest by a Cardinals running back this season, to put the offense in the red zone at the Susquehanna 13. Two plays later, Gulbin hurled his second passing touchdown of the day, this time to Fresen in the back of the end zone to make it a 35-14 ballgame. 

The Cardinals defense once again came up with a stop on the ensuing River Hawks drive when they forced a turnover on downs at their own 20. Catholic once again used a big chunk play to get the next drive rolling as Gulbin completed a deep pass down the right sideline to Henry to once again put it in Susquehanna territory. Gulbin went right back to attacking the right side of the field, connecting with Fresen for 21 yards two plays later and then completing a 15-yard pass to Diego Mouton to move the Cardinals into the red zone. Keegan Eichert finished the drive off with an eight yard run up the middle to cut the deficit back down to 14. 

Susquehanna slowed the Catholic momentum over the final quarter and added 10 more points on the board to secure a 24-point victory. The Cardinals are now 0-2 in Landmark play after the defeat. 

The Cardinals ran the ball for a season-high 103 yards and just under five years per carry as West. Jr. led the team with 70 yards and Eichert added 49 and his third touchdown in as many games. 

Gulbin just edged out his career-high passing total from a week ago with 279 yards through the air and it was his fourth career game with multiple passing touchdowns. For the second straight week, Fresen led the Cardinals in receiving with five receptions for 94 yards and his first career touchdown. Henry had the most catches in the game and of his career with 13 for 90 yards, the most by a Catholic player since Trey Carson caught 15 passes against Norwich in 2019. 

Billy Turner continued his impressive freshman campaign as he totaled 10 tackles and a quarterback hurry and he leads the team with 56 tackles on the season. The four turnovers forced by the defense were the most in a game by the Cardinals on the season and brought their season total to nine. 

The Cardinals are back at home on Saturday, October 17 at 1 pm to take on Western Connecticut for Cardinal Weekend.