HEARTBREAK IN OT, MOONEY FALLS TO LOUISVILLE

YOUNGSTOWN, OH – Forced into action due to injuries, Walter Sweeney took his first ever snaps at quarterback in Mooney’s home game against the Louisville Leopards. It would take two extra frames of overtime to settle it, but the Cardinals would fall 20-14.

Louisville came into the game averaging well over 30 points a game, but the Cardinals leaned on their defense early on. Dino Mario D’Alesio would pick off Colton Jones on the Leopards opening possession, but Mooney could not come away with any points. A scoreless first quarter would end with the Cardinals punting it away to Louisville.

The defenses continued to dominate through the first half, with each team committing two turnovers. That was until Colton Jones found Davis Burick up the middle for a 28 yard touchdown strike on a fourth down and ten.

Both team’s offenses got going in the third quarter, exchanging touchdown drives. It was the sophomore phenom Zyere Rodgers would struck first, when Mooney took their opening second half possession straight to the endzone, a 3 yard plunge from Rodgers. Leopards responded quickly with a massive play of their own, when Jones hit Burick again but this time for a 61 yard touchdown. But Sweeney and the Cardinals refused to quit. Rodgers would again break free for a another touchdown, this one for 23 yards. Rodgers would finish with 174 yards along with the two scores.

We entered the first overtime with Louisville on offense, but two high snaps ending their scoring opportunity. Mooney’s responding drive ended with a field goal try, and Brian Philbin just barely missing a 30 yard field goal. The second overtime had Mooney on offense first. But the Leopard defense stood tall, and forced the only fumble of the game from inside their own 1 yard line. And on the ensuing possession, Louisville would need only 4 plays for Davis Burick on the wildcat snap to find pay dirt and lift the Leopards to victory. Louisville wins 20-14.