The Bulldogs head to Worcester this weekend for a showdown versus the Holy Cross Crusaders. Kickoff is slated for 2 PM ET and the game will air on ESPN+.
Holy Cross enters the contest with a 1-2 record after two close losses to start the season against Rhode Island and New Hampshire followed by a blowout win versus Bryant. The Crusaders’ two losses were very tight contests against talented squads with their opponents outscoring them by just 4 total points combined. Former coach Bob Chesney departed Holy Cross for a more lucrative contract at James Madison and Holy Cross brought in veteran coach Dan Curran who guided Merrimack for the previous 11 seasons. Curran earned his first win last week at Bryant in a lopsided 43-22 victory.
Yale fans can breathe a sigh of relief that QB Matthew Sluka has finally graduated after three straight years of terrorizing the Bulldogs. Senior QB Joe Pesansky (6’4”, 225 lbs.) is now in control of the offense and although he does not possess the same elusiveness as Sluka, he is a solid passer who has completed 66.7% of his passes with 3 TDs and just a single interception. The star of the offense is senior RB Jordan Fuller (6’0”, 231 lbs.) who is a bruising back that looks even faster and stronger than he did last season. Fuller is averaging 4.2 yards per carry and has already rushed for 4 TDs in 3 games. This is a run-first offense that will line up in heavy sets and seeks to overpower opponents with size and strength. Sophomore RB Jayden Clerveaux (6’0”, 222 lbs.) is another talented ball carrier for the Crusaders averaging 4.3 YPC. The offensive line averages 311 lbs. across the board and is led by senior captain C Christo Kelly (6’4”, 305 lbs.), a 3rd Team All-Patriot League performer a season ago. The offensive line is very balanced as they’ve paved the way for a team average of 4.1 YPC and have only allowed 3 sacks. Senior TE Jacob Petersen (6’4”, 250 lbs.) leads the team in receiving with 12 catches for 202 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore WR Charly Mullaly (6’0”, 190 lbs.) has really stretched opponents vertically averaging 19.9 yards per reception. Senior WR Justin Shorter (5’11”, 181 lbs.) is one of the most dangerous receivers in the FCS and is a former 1st Team All-Patriot League wideout. This is a tough matchup for our defense in the first contest as early season woes such as missed tackles or blown coverages could be the deciding factors.
Opponents have found success moving the ball against Holy Cross’ defense, but the Crusaders stiffen up on 3rd downs and in the redzone. Holy Cross has limited opponents to 35.3% on third down conversions and have allowed only 6 touchdowns in 12 redzone drives. Senior LB Frankie Monte (6’0”, 233 lbs.) leads the team with 23 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 2 forced fumbles on the season. Sophomore LB Drew Spinogatti (6’1”, 231 lbs.) is another talented defender who has racked up 12 tackles thus far. Sophomore DL William Robinson (6’5”, 275 lbs.) has been the most productive defensive lineman for the Crusaders with 11 tackles, 1 fumble recovery and 2 blocked field goals. Senior DE Joe Townsend (6’3”, 250 lbs.) is the current sack leader for Holy Cross with 2 sacks. Although Holy Cross has given up 4.4 yards per carry on the ground, they’ve allowed just 1 rushing touchdown. One area of weakness for Holy Cross is in the secondary where they are fielding two corners with no prior playing experience. Teams have targeted sophomore CB Cam Jones (6’0”, 195 lbs.) in all 3 of the contests to date. The safeties are very experienced bringing back 3 players with starting experience to the unit led by senior S Curtis Harris-Lopez (6’1”, 206 lbs.) who posted 7 tackles against Yale a year ago. With a talented wide receiving corps for Yale, Grant Jordan should have an opportunity to shine in the passing game if our offensive line can keep defenders at bay.
Sophomore K Daniel Porto (6’1”, 195 lbs.) has struggled in the kicking game connecting on 3 of 5 attempts with a long of 39 yards. Senior P Jack Norris (6’0”, 194 lbs.) has done an excellent job with an average of 39.4 yards per punt and has pinned opponents inside the redzone on 5 punts. Harris-Lopez is dangerous on kick returns as he averages 30.1 yards per return and scored a touchdown on a 95-yard kickoff return.
Go Bulldogs! Beat the Crusaders!
Starting Lineup
QB Grant Jordan
RB Joshua Pitsenberger
WR Mason Shipp
WR David Pantelis
WR Chase Nenad
WR* Joey Felton *(12 offensive starters listed with 4 WRs)
LT Sean Sullivan
LG Bennie Anderson
C Connor Smith
RG Cameron Charron
RT Michael Bennett
TE Ry Yates
DE Tamatoa McDonough
DT Micaiah Shaber
DT Alvin Gulley
DE Mitchell Tyler
LB Dean Shaffer
LB Jacob Biggs
LB Inumidan Ayo-Durojaiye
CB Sean Guyton
SS Osize Daniyan
FS Abu Kamara
CB Damian Anderson
KO/P/H Shamus Florio
PK Nick Conforti
LS Ben Mann
PR/KR Joey Felton
3 replies on “Holy Cross Preview”
RB John Fuller suffered a season ending injury against Bryant last week.
I meant Jordan Fuller
Terrible for such a great athlete (but good news for Elis). I wonder who is banged up for Yale as I didn’t see Egodogbare or a couple other familiar names in the two deep.