Indianapolis, Ind. – Gabriel Dubois led the defense with two fumble recoveries and a 24-yard interception return for touchdown, but Cathedral (Ind.) proved too much for St. Xavier in a 25-22 setback at Arlington Stadium.  Playing its first game on natural grass since 2007, St. Xavier dealt with a list of injuries, but came up shy in a challenging road test.

"Ryan Nolan did a great job at quarterback," said head coach Steve Specht. "He was our starting cornerback.  We lost Josh Anderson, one of our starting cornerbacks with an injury early.  We had young guys step up in the defensive secondary.  When Brogan went down, Ryan stepped up.  He hasn't taken a snap at quarterback since the preseason.  We fought and had a great chance in the fourth quarter against a great team.  I'm proud of our kids.  I'm proud of the effort.  I thought it was a great game."

St. Xavier (2-2)  opening drive for 32 yards through the air to key the drive.  The touchdown catch allowed Clifford to become the first member of the Long Blue Line to record 20 career touchdown receptions.  Mason Rohmiller's point-after kick made it 7-0.

On the ensuing possession, Cathedral (5-0) responded with a touchdown drive of its own.  Honoring a fallen teammate who would have worn No. 2, Cathedral continued its tradition of going for two-points on its first score.  After converting the try, the Fighting Irish lead 8-7, with 3:08 to play in the first quarter.

Cathedral capped off its next possession with an 11-play, 80-yard drive to take a 15-7 advantage 9:57 to play in the second quarter. 

Ryan Nolan stepped in at quarterback for an injured McCaughey in the second quarter and completed each of his first three passes for 33 yards.  Rohmiller came up short on his field goal attempt from 44 yards for his first miss of the season.  He was 3-for-3 on field goals tries entering the game.
Nolan finished the night 11-of-19 passing for 158.  He was intercepted twice and sacked five times.  McCaughey completed 5-of-9 attempts for 77 yards before leaving the game.

Cathedral looked to be heading in to the locker room with an eight-point lead, but Nathan McCahill's pass across the middle was intercepted by Dubois and the senior turned around and scampered 24 yards for an improbable touchdown that stunned the home crowd.  Nolan's pass to Terrell McFarlin in the right flat was good for the point-after and tied the score at 15-15 with 14 seconds to go before halftime.

After St. Xavier was unable to move the ball on the first possession of the third quarter, Cathedral converted a 33-yard field goal try to take an 18-15 edge with 6:59 remaining in the third quarter.

Following the first of two fumble recoveries by Dubois, Nolan tossed a pass in to the endzone and was intercepted on the Bombers' best scoring opportunity of the third stanza. 

Cathedral took the ensuing passion and marched 80 yards on 15 plays, consuming 7:09 before Jake Langdon plowed ahead from five yards out to set a 25-15 margin.

The Bombers responded with a quick, seven-play, 66-yard drive that was capped by a Nolan pass, catch and run by Clifford who dashed 43 yards for his second touchdown of the night.  Rohmiller's PAT kick narrowed the margin to three, at 25-22.
 
Clifford finished with eight receptions for 119 and two touchdowns.  Jalen Patterson caught four passes for 70 yards, including a 45-yard catch.

Matthew Devine forced a fumble on the ensuing Fighting Irish possession that was pounced upon by Dubois for his second recovery of the game. 

Once again, Devine led the Bombers with 10 tackles, including four for loss.  Grant Lyons collected eight tackles and four tackles for loss of his own.  Lyons also tallied two quarterback sacks.  Eli Kirk also made eight tackles to go with three pass breakups to lead the secondary.

Nolan tossed his second interception on the second play following the fumble recovery to give the ball back to Cathedral with 2:24 to play.

St. Xavier took one final possession with 1:49 to play, but was not able to work another fourth-quarter rally. 

Specht added, "We only have six games scheduled this season.  We are playing the best teams in Ohio and Indiana.  We are going to play the best competition.  It's games like tonight when we fight, claw, and attempt to overcome adversity and develops character."

St. Xavier returns home next Friday, Sept. 26, for its first game of the 2020 season when it entertains Moeller.  With Senior Night and a chance for the GCL South title in the air, kickoff at Balaban Field is set for 7 p.m.