Catholic University of America

BETHLEHEM, Pa.  – The Catholic football team looked to earn its first round win of the season on Saturday afternoon in a Landmark contest against Moravian. The Greyhounds grabbed hold of the game throughout the first half, taking a 17-0 lead into halftime and they continued to hold the Cardinals in-check over the final 30 minutes, leading to a 27-3 defeat for the Cardinals. 

After both defenses forced punts on the opposing teams opening drives, the Greyhounds hit pay dirt on an 11-play 72-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a seven-yard scamper by Avery Koser. The Cardinals defense came up with a big play the next time Moravian's offense stepped on the field as Maximus Desir picked off Koser's pass and returned it to the Moravian 32 to set the offense up in solid field position.

On the ensuing Catholic drive, Charles Gulbin connected with Chris Smith on fourth down for four yards to keep the drive alive. The Cardinals tried to get on the board with a field goal but the 36-yard attempt was off the mark and the score remained 7-0. 

The second quarter was a stalemate to start, but Moravian took six minutes off the clock with a 12-play, 52-yard drive that resulted in a field goal to make it a two-score ballgame. The Cardinals next drive came to a halt on the first play after a strip sack gave the Greyhounds the ball back on the plus side of the field at the 19. It took Moravian just one play to push the lead up to 17 as Koser completed a pass to Josh Ludlow who took it 19-yards to the house to end it into the half with a comfortable 17-0 lead.

Kevin Barton entered the game at quarterback late in the second quarter and led Catholic on its lone scoring drive of the game to begin the second half. Barton had completions to Adrian Fresen and Nole Henry before a 20-yard catch and run from Smith moved the ball to the Moravian 26. The Cardinals were unable to cap the drive with a touchdown and Brent Fardette III knocked in a 37-yard field goal to make the game 17-3. 

The Greyhounds answered with a field goal of their own on the next drive to push the lead back up to three scores. The Cardinals had an opportunity in the red zone to try and cut into the deficit in the fourth quarter but another costly fumble put an end to the threat at the Greyhounds nine. Moravian added one final touchdown on a two-yard run from Dorian Thomas with 1:58 left in regulation to cap off the win. Catholic is now 1-7 on the season with the loss and 1-3 against Landmark opponents. 

Barton finished with a career-high in passing yards as he completed 17 of his 23 attempts for 167 yards. Henry led the way in receiving with seven grabs for 55 yards and Bobby Hartman totaled 42 yards on five snatches. Keegan Eichert did well with his rushing attempts with 41 yards on four carries, including a 26-yard run.

Defensively, Evan Chromy finished the game with a career-high 15 tackles, which is the most in a game by a Catholic player since 2018 (Jake Ballard, 16). Billy Turner matched his career-high with 13 and Ryan Creston was the other Catholic player with double-digit tackles as he reached 10. Desir's interception was the first of his career and he also added a sack to the cause. 

The Cardinals return to the field on Saturday, October 24 for Senior Day against Wilkes. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 pm on Cardinal Stadium.