WASHINGTON, D.C. – Catholic University fended off a late rally from Endicott College to come away with a 32-29 non-conference victory on Saturday afternoon at Cardinal Stadium.
Down 15-13 to start the second half, Gulls' kicker Ryan Smith (Glastonbury, Conn.) boomed a 41-yard field goal to give the Blue and Green their first lead of the game, 16-15.
Both teams then exchanged scores (Catholic 41-yard field goal | Endicott two-yard rush TD) in the third quarter before the Cardinals produced back-to-back TDs in the fourth to hold off the Gulls.
Joe Leonard (Cumberland, R.I.) was responsible for Endicott's first of two 2-yard TD runs in the fourth (22-18 lead, 11:28), while John Kenney's (Wilmington, Mass.) scoring scamper put the game within a field goal (32-29, 1:56) prior to the final whistle.
The Gulls nearly completed the comeback with 50-seconds to play via the game's final drive, but Catholic held Endicott just outside of field goal range (Catholic 43-yard line) to escape with the win.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Kenney finished the matchup with 105 rushing yards (third career 100+ rushing yard performance).
- Tim Russell (Stoneham, Mass.) had seven tackles and picked off two passes (second and third INTs of his career).
- Tyler Davis (Bethel, Conn.) notched a career-high 10 tackles (three solo).
- Colin Meropoulos (Monroe, Conn.) registered two sacks, the last of which forced a turnover on downs with 56-seconds to play in the game at Endicott's own 21-yard-line.
- Anthony Caggianelli (Pelham, N.H.) and Clayton Marengi (Lynnfield, Mass.) both punched home rushing touchdowns (3-yard TD, 2:52 of the 1st, 8-6 deficit | 6-yard TD, 10:44 of the 2nd, 13-8 lead).
- Catholic went 4-for-6 on fourth down in the win (9-for-13, .692, this season).
WHAT'S NEXT
Endicott (2-1) will keep its show on the road against Norwich (0-2) on Saturday, September 25th at 2 PM. Catholic (2-1) remains at home to take on Christopher Newport (1-1) on Saturday, September 25 at 1:30 PM.
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(Photo Credit - Chris Lyons '22)
