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WASHINGTON – The Catholic University of America football team improved to an unbeaten 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, holding off Coast Guard on the road, 37-35. Senior All-American candidate Lucas Morley hauled in four touchdown receptions to help the Cardinals to their best start since 2013.
Catholic dominated the first half as Morley caught all four of his scoring grabs in the first half, finishing the day with six receptions for 113 yards. The Cardinals took at 27-7 lead into the halftime break.
Coast Guard rallied in the second half however, closing to within two with just over nine minutes to play.
The Cards sealed the victory on the very next drive, answering the Bears with a 51-yard touchdown from junior quarterback Jorge Pola to senior running back Matt Perno.
Pola had the most productive game of his career, completing 24-of-34 passes for a career-high 366 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 56 yards on the ground.
Rookie QB Alejandro Ros relieved him for one series, going 3-of-4 for 59 and one of Morley's scores.
Perno had a second-straight starring game, going for 99 yards rushing on 17 carries along with three catches for 74 yards and a TD.
Senior wideout Billy Smith added a career-high nine passes for 90 yards.
Though Coast fought back in the second half, Catholic never trailed thanks to the Cardinals' defense, which held the Bears from converting of three fourth-down attempts. The D also held CGA to -12 rushing yards on 21 total attempts and forced six punts and two turnovers.
Catholic completes its nonconference schedule with a perfect 3-0 record. The Cardinals will enjoy a bye week before beginning ODAC play on the road, capping a three-game road swing, at Guilford on Saturday, October 1.
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