Salisbury University men’s football will host The Catholic University of America at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Sea Gull Stadium. The matchup is the third game of the 2026 season for the No. 13 Sea Gulls, who entered with a 2-0 record. The Catholic University of America entered at 0-3 after losses to McDaniel, Carnegie Mellon and Franklin & Marshall.
The game will feature Youth Day and recognition of the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Salisbury football team. Former members of that team will be honored throughout the weekend.
Salisbury University Football Brings 2-0 Record Into Catholic Matchup
Salisbury University most recently defeated Washington and Lee University, 43-13, on Sept. 19 at Sea Gull Stadium. The Sea Gulls produced 473 yards of total offense, including 345 rushing yards, and scored 27 unanswered points in the second half.
Dario Belizaire led Salisbury University with 90 rushing yards and 112 receiving yards, including a 67-yard touchdown reception. Malachi Dokes scored three rushing touchdowns, while SyRus McGowan accounted for two touchdowns. Dylan Lyerly led the defense with 12 tackles, and Patrick Sheil recorded an interception and six tackles.
Salisbury University moved up to No. 13 nationally in the D3football.com Top 25 for Week 3 with 300 points. The program holds primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference and affiliate membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference for football.
The Catholic University of America Relies on Brady McBride
The Catholic University of America opened the season with losses to McDaniel, Carnegie Mellon and Franklin & Marshall. The Cardinals most recently fell to Franklin & Marshall, 31-17.
Brady McBride threw for 302 yards and two touchdowns on 37-of-54 passing against Franklin & Marshall. Hunter Boyd recorded seven receptions for 136 yards in his first start of the season, while Wade Farrar added nine receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
Evan Chromy led Catholic with six tackles in that game, and Sean Finan recorded a sack. First-year head coach Kory David took over the program in 2026, while coordinators Shawn Glosek and Drew Erlich joined the coaching staff this season.
Salisbury University Holds Series Advantage
Saturday’s game will be the ninth meeting between Salisbury University and The Catholic University of America. Salisbury holds a 6-2 advantage in the all-time series and has won the previous three meetings.
Salisbury defeated Catholic, 55-6, at Cardinal Stadium on Sept. 27, 2025. The programs first met in 1979 before renewing the series in 2003.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Salisbury University enters the matchup with a 2-0 record, a No. 13 national ranking and a 43-13 victory over Washington and Lee University in its most recent game. The Sea Gulls also have won the previous three meetings with The Catholic University of America.
Catholic’s 0-3 record does not erase the challenge posed by its passing game. McBride’s 302-yard performance against Franklin & Marshall, along with the production of Boyd and Farrar, gives the Cardinals an offensive threat against Salisbury’s defense.
After Saturday’s game, Salisbury University is scheduled to open New Jersey Athletic Conference play at The College of New Jersey on Oct. 3. The Sea Gulls are scheduled to host Rowan University for Homecoming on Oct. 10.
Source: Original report
