PHOTO GALLERY

The Saint Vincent football team was unable to stop #18 ranked Case Western Reserve University, falling by a score of 35-14 on Homecoming Day in Latrobe.

After the teams exchanged a series of punts to start the game, the Bearcats' defense made the first big play of the day as Cameron Mack pounced on a Case Western Reserve fumble that was caused by Mike Turner Jr.  That set the Bearcats up at the CWRU 20-yard line. However, after three plays the drive stalled and SVC was forced to attempt a 34-yard field goal, which was missed wide left.

Case used the momentum from the missed field goal, marching 80 yards on nine plays for the first touchdown of the afternoon. Case quarterback Rob Cuda connected on a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jacob Burke to make it 7-0 Case with 2:58 to play in the opening quarter. 

Early in the second quarter, Case marched 62 yards on just five plays to take a 14-0 lead on a six-yard touchdown pass from Cuda to Aaron Aguilar with 8:28 remaining in the first half. On the ensuing SVC possession, quarterback Zavion Thompson was sacked and fumbled deep in the Bearcats own territory, with Case recovering at the 21. 

Just three plays later, CWRU converted on a 3rd and 21 for a 32-yard touchdown pass by Cuda to Luke DiFrancesco to put the Spartans up 21-0 with 6:28 left in the first half of play. Saint Vincent prevented Case from extending the lead further when AJ Jean-Baptiste intercepted a 4th and goal pass on the penultimate play of the first half. The Saint Vincent offense was shutout in the first half, struggling to move the ball with any consistency, completing just three passes for 29 yards through the air. 

Saint Vincent received another big defensive stand on the opening drive of the second half, as Khalil Absolu stuffed Burke on a 4th and 2 play at the SVC 15-yard line. Neither team would score during the third and the game would remain 21-0 Case heading to the fourth quarter. 

The visiting Spartans would make it 28-0 with a four-yard touchdown scamper by Cuda on the second play of the 4th quarter. The Bearcats would answer on the ensuing drive, marching 76 yards on 10 plays for their first score of the day. A brilliant sideline catch by DJ Oceant-Kelly off a pass from Michael Navarro set up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by Jhanard Dorsett, making the score 28-7 with 10:23 to play in the game. 

After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt by the Bearcat special teams, Case navigated 53 yards on five plays in just a little more than two minutes. Cuda connected with Joey Spitalli for a 38-yard touchdown pass with 8:06 left, moving the Spartans edge to 35-7. With just 2:05 remaining, Navarro capped a seven-play, 85-yard drive with a 22-yard touchdown strike to Damon Black Jr, to put the score at 35-14. 

For the game, Case recorded 441 total yards to just 275 for the Bearcats. The Spartans passed for 357 yards and added 84 yards rushing in the contest, while SVC totaled 231 yards through the air and tacked on just 44 yards rushing. 

Navarro put together solid numbers after coming off the bench in the second half. The sophomore completed 17 of 20 passes for 202 yards and a passing touchdown. Black recorded nine catches for 131 yards and a receiving score. 

Defensively for the Bearcats, freshman linebacker Hauns White recorded 11 tackles, including one for loss. Turner Jr. added nine stops and a forced fumble. Junior defensive lineman Connor Locklin registered two sacks for 17 yards in the contest. 

For Case, Cuda completed 19-of-30 passes for 357 yards, while playing a role in all five Case touchdowns on the afternoon. Zak Hurd hauled in five passes for 148 yards receiving for the Spartans. 

Saint Vincent drops to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in Presidents' Athletic Conference play. Case stays unbeaten, moving to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in league action. 

The Bearcats host Westminster College on Saturday, Oct. 7 at Chuck Noll Field. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.