The #5 ranked Holy Cross Crusaders visit the Bowl on Saturday in Yale’s season opener. Kickoff is set for noon and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. Expect windy conditions with gusts up to 25 miles per hour.
Holy Cross enters the contest with a 1-1 record after falling to Boston College by 3 points in a thrilling contest that came down to Holy Cross’ final offensive possession. Holy Cross dominated Merrimack in their season opening victory 42-20.
Back in control of the offense is senior QB Matthew Sluka (6’3”, 216 lbs.) who has terrorized teams on the ground and through the air over the years. Sluka posted 131 rushing yards with 2 rushing touchdowns and 130 passing yards (66.7% completion percentage) against an FBS opponent this past weekend. The Yale defense has possibly its toughest test of the season squaring off against a top FCS quarterback with a deep veteran core. Junior RB Jordan Fuller (6’0”, 231 lbs.) is a load to bring down with surprising speed. Fuller put together two tremendous performances to start the season with 120 rushing yards and 5 TDs in the win over Merrimack followed by 109 rushing yards and 2 TDs in the loss to BC. 1st Team All-Patriot League WR Jalen Coker (6’3”, 213 lbs.) is back and off to a hot start with 21.0 yards per reception. As talented as the skill position players are for the Crusaders, the offensive line could be the strength of the team. All starting offensive linemen have prior starting experience in 2022 or prior and 4 of 5 have garnered All-Patriot League honors. Senior LT Luke Newman (6,4”, 310 lbs.) could be the best of the bunch and was named 1st Team All-American by several publications. The Crusaders had no trouble opening holes against Boston College and will really test our defensive ends. Senior TE Sean Morris (6’4, 250 lb.) is yet another option for Sluka and hauled in a 20-yard grab against the Elis a year ago.
Holy Cross has a disciplined defense headlined by LB Jacob Dobbs (6’0”, 237 lbs.) who has racked up 36 tackles in 2 games and was named a preseason All-American. Junior LB Frankie Monte (6’0”, 233 lbs.) started 8 contests a year ago and forms a formidable corps with Dobbs. Senior CB Devin Haskins (6’3”, 209 lbs.) is the star of the secondary for Holy Cross as another All-American candidate and posted 8 tackles last week versus BC. Another large CB for the Crusaders is senior Terrence Spence (6’2”, 200 lbs.) who had an interception versus the Bulldogs last season and had an impactful day against the Eagles with 5 tackles, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. The safety position is relatively inexperienced for Holy Cross with freshman Stu Smith (6’1”, 198 lbs.) starting and junior Jake Jarmolowich (6’2”, 200 lbs.) returning with just a single start in 2022. The Crusaders’ defensive line could be the weakest unit for the squad with only one full-time starter returning from a year ago in senior DT Dillon Springer (6’2”, 281 lbs.). Besides Springer, senior DL Brian Vaganek (6’4”, 263 lbs.) started just one game due to injury in 2022 and the other starters are a freshman and a sophomore with no prior collegiate experience. This presents a favorable matchup for our offensive line, particularly the interior of the offensive line, as Grooms adjusts to a new center and the line makes early season adjustments. Given the overwhelming talent on the offensive side of the ball for Holy Cross, the Bulldogs will need to score quickly and often to stay in the hunt for a victory. Controlling the line of scrimmage and getting blockers on Dobbs need to be the focal points of our preparation.
Sophomore K Luis Palenzuela (6’0”, 201 lbs.) has been perfect on 10 PATs but has yet to attempt a field goal this season. Senior P Patrick Haughney has started since 2020 and has averaged 40.8 yards per punt over his career.
Go Bulldogs!
7 replies on “Holy Cross Preview”
Also extra preparation is needed to prevent a blocked punt, which Holy Cross has a penchant for. Holy Cross is a formidable opponent to be sure but Yale has the talent to prevail. Defend our house!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbFXilCJ1LI
Unlike last year, Yale is a veteran championship team. There should be no, well, this is our first game and HC has played two, used as an excuse. After all, it’s our own fault that we haven’t played yet. I hope we don’t approach this as a scrimmage to prepare for the Ivy opener.
Yale has just as much talent as HC across the board and, even though HC is very, very, good, this should not be like last year.
What’s up with Messrs. Karhu, Egodobare, and Guyton? Is Alston in good working order?
A nice start for Yale against a very tough opponent.
Penalties cost Yale a TD and a defensive stop
The HC offensive line won this game. Yale got no penetration on defense
Yales defense in tentative most of the day. Tackling was atrocious. Try to shovel tackle doesn’t work against that kind of a team. Need to wrap them up and it was her own. Worst enemy today.
Yale, was their own worst enemy today.