WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Catholic University of America Football Team (5-2, 1-2 ODAC) overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to come away with a 28-24 victory over visiting Emory & Henry College (4-4, 1-3 ODAC) in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play.
Catholic got out to a 7-0 lead on their first possession of the contest as it set up a five-play 72-yard strike for a touchdown. Quarterback Greg Cordivari was four-for-five on the drive for 47 yards including a 12-yard catch by Wesley Stringfield for the score.
Emory & Henry responded immediately, as sophomore quarterback Kyle Boden (Knoxville, Tenn.) found senior wide receiver Adrian Jordan (Covington, Va.) with a 26-yard pass to cap a four-play 73-yard scoring drive.
After fumbling on their second drive, the Cardinals forced the Wasps to punt. Their ensuing drive consumed 5:06 as they went 82 yards on 12 plays for the score. Cordivari found Tucker Hubbell from 26 yards out for his second touchdown pass of the day.
The Wasps would not allow Catholic to get away as they answered with their own touchdown again. Boden was six-of-eight on the drive with a 41-yard completion to senior Corey Ware (Buchanan, Va.) that got E&H all the way down to the Catholic 16 yardline. On fourth-and-goal from the one, junior running back William Pearl (Atlanta, Ga.) punched the ball in for the score.
After forcing Catholic into a three and out, Emory & Henry was poised to take advantage with great field position at its own 41 yardline. E&H bolted down the field covering 59 yards in just four plays culminated by senior Drew Piscopo's (Roaring Gap, N.C.) 33-yard completion to Pearl for the touchdown at the 12:35 mark of the second quarter.
The Wasps would hold the 21-14 lead through the end of the half and all of the third quarter.
Emory & Henry gave themselves a 10-point lead with 11:47 left to play in the contest on a 24-yard field goal by junior kicker Matt Turchin (Salisbury, N.C.). The drive was a highlight reel for freshman running back Joseph Vaughn (Gate City, Va.) as he got nine carries for 55 yards.
The Cardinals began their climb back in the game with 6:20 left to go as Cordivari found Andrew Ouellette from 18 yards out for the score, capping a five-play 50-yard drive.
After a 46-yard kick by Turchin was blocked, Catholic looked like it was going to give Emory & Henry another shot to put the contest out of reach. On the second play of the ensuing drive, Cordivari's pass was intercepted by junior linebacker Devan Sproles (Norton, Va.) and returned 15 yards across midfield.
The Catholic defense had other plans as they forced a fumble on the next play and took the ball back. The Cardinals went on a crusade through E&H territory, going 49 yards on nine plays for the score. Michael Pitsenberger gave CUA a four-point lead with a one yard rush and left the Wasps just 21 seconds in which to respond.
E&H was able to get the ball to the Catholic 40 and had one shot to the end zone as time expired but was not able to retake the lead before time expired.
Cordivari led the Catholic offense with 401 yards through the air, going 46-for-64 on the day with three touchdowns. He found 11 different receivers on the day including Ouellette 12 times for 11 yards and a score. Tanner Keefe also caught seven balls for 111 yards on the day while Pitesenburger was the team's leading rusher with 66 yards and a score.
Defensively, the Cardinals were led by Anthony Albanese and Conor Stueckler with 10 and nine tackles, respectively.
Emory & Henry was led offensively by Boden with 165 yards on 15-for-25 passing and a touchdown before leaving the game for a period with an injury. Vaughn had 87 rushing yards on 18 carries while junior running back Adam Pugh (Norwalk, Ohio) ran for 81 yards on the day including a 57-yard jaunt in the third quarter. Jordan was the Wasps leading receiver, with six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown while Ware caught three balls for 64 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior linebacker Ed Smith (Church Hill, Tenn.) made a game-high 16 stops. Senior linebacker Travis Bolt (Willis, Va.) and Sproles each had 12 tackles on the day and Sproles added an interception. Senior cornerback Michael Young (Lawrenceville, Ga.) had 10 tackles and a pick with a 29 yard return.
Emory & Henry will return home next Saturday to take on Bridgewater at 1:00 p.m. in ODAC action. The contest will serve as Senior Day as well for the Wasps.
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