Catholic University of America

WASHINGTON, D.C.  –  The Catholic football team returned to Cardinal Stadium on Saturday to take on Franklin and Marshall, looking for the first victory of the 2026 season. After falling behind by a significant margin in the first half, the Cardinals fought back to make it a one-score game but a late Diplomats put up a late touchdown to come away with a 31-17 victory.

The Diplomats were controlling the game throughout the first half, forcing multiple turnovers and taking advantage of short field position to build a 24-0 lead with 1:48 remaining in the half. Catholic found a rhythm on offense when Brady McBride hit a deep pass up the right sideline to Hunter Boyd to set them up at the F&M 32. McBride connected with Boyd again on the next play for a 15-yard gain, followed by a 12-yard completion to Roman Landamia to give Catholic a first and goal. A couple sacks put a halt to the drive but Maximo Machado nailed a 37-yard field goal to send the game into halftime at 24-3.

The Catholic offense found its groove in the third quarter after the defense forced a three and out on F&M's first drive of the half. McBride lobbed a pass to Wade Farrar who made multiple defenders miss on his way to the end zone to cut the deficit down to 14. The touchdown capped off an eight play, 50-yard drive.

The Cardinals defense forced another punt after Conor Jennings came up with a tackle for loss to help stop the drive in Catholic territory. After a touch back put Catholic at the 20, the offense marched on an impressive 15-play 80 yard drive to pull within seven. The Cardinals went deep into the playbook as Bobby Hartman completed a double pass to Boyd for a 30-yard gain to put them in the Diplomats territory. The drive culminated when McBride completed a jump ball in the right corner of the endzone to Farrar for his second score of the game. 

Catholic was moving on offense again on its next drive as the short passing game moved it on to the plus side of the 50. On a fourth and one the Cardinals tried to run for the first down but Lamar West Jr. was tackled just short of the line to gain for a turnover on downs. The Diplomats put the game out of reach on the ensuing drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to close out a 31-17 win. 

Inside the Box Score

• Boyd made his first start of the season and made an immediate impact for the offense with seven catches for 136 yards, both of which were career-highs. Farrar has now caught multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games as he hauled in nine passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns. He also had career-highs in yards and receptions. 
• McBride also came away with a career-high in passing yards, surpassing his total from last week with 303 yards and a pair of throwing touchdowns. His 54 passing attempts in the game are the most in a game by a Catholic quarterback since Nico Casares threw 67 against Lycoming in 2023. 
• Evan Chromy led the team in tackles with six while also picking up half a sack alongside Daniel Moore. Sean Finan also added a sack in the defensive efforts.

The Cardinals are back on the road next weekend to take on the 14th-ranked team in the country, Salisbury. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm at Sea Gull Stadium.