THE BASICS:
 
- Score: Catholic University 42, MIT 7
 
- Records: MIT (2-2, 0-1 NEWMAC); Catholic University (2-3, 1-0 NEWMAC)
 
- Location: Cambridge, Mass. (Roberts Field at Steinbrenner Stadium)
 
- The Lead: In the NEWMAC opener on Saturday afternoon, the MIT football team dropped a 42-7 final to Catholic University in the fifth all-time meeting between the two teams. The Engineers currently hold a 3-2 edge in the all-time series.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 
- The Cardinals got on the board just 2:23 into the game as Nico Casares found Malachi Hansen over the top for a 23-yard touchdown and the early 7-0 advantage. MIT answered with three minutes remaining in the opening quarter when graduate student Sam Gozelski (East Northport, N.Y.) picked up a Catholic fumble and took it back 35 yards for the defensive touchdown that tied the game at 7-7.
 
- Casares and Hansen connected again in the opening minute of the second half as Hansen hauled in a 45-yard pass along the far sideline to go in front 14-7. The Cardinals and Casares kept up the offensive pressure over the remainder of the half as Casares threw a pair of touchdowns to Owen Shields, along with a two-yard scoring run from Jared Colletti that capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive that took just 3:35.
 
- Casares found Shields for a third touchdown midway through the third quarter as this score came from six yards out to end an eight-play, 93-yard drive that accounted for the eventual 42-7 final.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
- Senior Jay Theriault (Boxford, Mass.) led the MIT offense with his second straight 100-yard rushing game as he finished with 104 yards on 15 rushes. Senior Dennis Gastel (Lincoln, R.I.) led the receivers with four catches for 47 yards.
 
- Graduate student Paul Calvetti (Ridgewood, N.J.) led all tacklers with an 18-tackle effort that included two tackles for loss. Junior Stan Lacksen (Watkinsville, Ga.) blocked a field goal attempt as MIT continues to lead the nation in blocked kicks with eight through four games.
 
- For Catholic, Casares ended the game 31-of-46 passing for 448 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. Preston Jeffrey led the squad with nine catches for 165 yards, while Shields had five catches for 65 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, three Cardinals finished with six tackles each and the team had five pass breakups.
 
UP NEXT:
 
- The Engineers are on a bye next weekend before returning to action at home on Saturday, October 15th as the team hosts the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy for a Noon start. That game marks the final game in a four-game homestand.
 
STAY CONNECTED:
 
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