Complete Release in PDF Format

GAME DAY QUICK FACTS:
Game Day Central: Click Here
The Teams: Holy Cross (2-2, 0-0 PL) vs. #16 Fordham (3-1, 0-0 PL)
Date: September 27, 2014
Time: 1:05 p.m.
Place: Fitton Field (23,500), Worcester, Mass.
Tickets: Click Here or Call (508) 793-2573
Television: Charter TV3, Worcester; Andy Lacombe, play-by-play; Dave Bolduc, color
Live Video Streaming: Campus Insiders; Matt Martucci, play-by-play; Rich Cirminiello, color, Melanie Pellowski, sidelines
Holy Cross Radio: WTAG 580 AM & 94.9 FM, Worcester; Bob Fouracre, play-by-play; Tom Kelleher, color; Click Here to Listen
Unofficial Live Statistics: Presto Sports Primetime

The Holy Cross football team returns to Fitton Field this Saturday, Sept. 27, when it plays host to Fordham in a 1:05 p.m. game as part of Homecoming weekend. The contest between the Crusaders and the Rams can be seen live in Central Massachusetts on Charter TV3, and on the internet through Campus Insiders. In addition, the contest will be broadcast live on WTAG 580 AM and 94.9 FM in Worcester.

At halftime of the Holy Cross-Fordham game, Tom Ciaccio and Charlie Maloy will become the 17th and 18th members of the Crusader Football Legends Ring of Honor. In addition, the most valuable player of the game will receive the Johnny Turco Memorial Trophy.

The Crusaders currently stand 2-2 overall this season, and are coming off a 41-18 setback at Harvard last Friday night. Holy Cross also owns a 29-26 victory over Morgan State and a 20-7 win over Central Connecticut this year, to go along with a 14-13 loss at Albany in the opener.

Sophomore quarterback Peter Pujals (Glenview, Ill.) has led the Holy Cross offense by completing 80 of 138 passes this season for 905 yards and four touchdowns, in addition to rushing 60 times for 267 yards and another score. Sophomore wide receiver Jake Wieczorek (Cumming, Ga.) has a team-best 25 catches for 376 yards and two touchdowns, while senior tailback Shane Taylor (St. Paul, Minn.) has added 136 rushing yards and two scores on 39 carries. On the defensive side of the ball, junior linebacker John Zakrzewski (Traverse City, Mich.) leads the Crusaders with 33 total tackles, a forced fumble, a quarterback sack and three tackles for loss. Sophomore free safety Luke Ford (Glenview, Ill.) has also played well, totaling 26 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups.

Fordham enters the week with an overall mark of 3-1, and is coming off a 49-7 victory at Columbia last Saturday. The Rams have also beaten Rhode Island 54-7 and St. Francis (Pa.) 52-32, with their lone loss being a 50-6 setback at Villanova.

Senior quarterback Mike Nebrich has led Fordham by completing 79 of 140 passes for 1,136 yards and eight touchdowns with four interceptions. Freshman tailback Chase Edmonds has added 581 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 77 carries, while senior wide out Sam Ajala has a team-best 22 receptions for 373 yards this year. Defensively the Rams are led by senior linebacker Victor DiFusco, who has totaled 32 tackles and one pass breakup. Senior cornerback Jordan Chapman is also off to a strong start this season, with 24 tackles, two pass breakups and five tackles for loss.

This week's game will mark the 52nd meeting between Holy Cross and Fordham on the gridiron. The Crusaders own a 27-22-2 advantage in the all-time series, but the Rams have won the last two games. The winner of this week's game will take home the Ram-Crusader Cup, which has been presented at every Holy Cross-Fordham game since 1951.

"Fordham is off to another good start this season," said Holy Cross head coach Tom Gilmore. "They are a talented team coming into Fitton Field to kick off the Patriot League season. Our recent games against Fordham have been very competitive, and we expect that to be the case again this year."

Following the game against Fordham, Holy Cross hits the road for a contest at Colgate on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 1:00 p.m.


THE SERIES WITH FORDHAM: This will be the 52nd meeting between the Crusaders and the Rams on the gridiron, with Holy Cross leading the all-time series 27-22-2. Fordham has won the last two games in the series, but before that the Crusaders had come out victorious in the previous four meetings. For games played at Fitton Field, Holy Cross holds a 15-9-1 advantage, including wins in three of the last four. Since Fordham joined the Patriot League prior to the start of the 1990 season, the series is tied at 12-12. The schools first met on Nov. 8, 1902, with Holy Cross winning 17-0 on the road.

SERIES QUICK FACTS:
Overall: Holy Cross leads, 27-22-2
In Worcester: Holy Cross leads, 15-9-1
At Fitton Field: Holy Cross leads, 15-9-1
Current Win Streak: Fordham, two games
Tom Gilmore vs. Fordham: 5-4
Joe Moorhead vs. Holy Cross: 2-0

COACH TO CURE MD: For the seventh year in a row, college football coaches around the nation will take part in Coach to Cure MD, a national charity project of the American Football Coaches Association. To show their support, members of the Crusader coaching staff will wear a Coach to Cure MD logo patch on the sidelines during the Fordham game. Coach to Cure MD will raise awareness and research funding for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most prolific genetic killer diagnosed in childhood. Football fans can donate to Duchenne muscular dystrophy research by either going online to 'CoachtoCureMD.org' or by texting the word 'CURE' to 90999 (a $5.00 donation will automatically be added to your next phone bill and standard text message rates apply). Last year, more than 10,000 college coaches at over 600 different institutions participated in Coach To Cure MD events. The six-year fundraising total for Coach to Cure MD is over $1 million.

JOHNNY TURCO MEMORIAL TROPHY ON THE LINE THIS WEEK: The Johnny Turco Memorial Trophy has been presented annually to the most outstanding player in Holy Cross' Homecoming game since 1965. It is given in memory of Johnny Turco (Class of 1952), a former star halfback who is a member of the Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame and the Holy Cross Crusader Football Legends Ring of Honor. There are only three players who have won the honor two times in their careers (Joe Segreti in 1988 and 1990; Dominic Randolph in 2007 and 2009; and Ryan Taggart in 2010 and 2011). Last season, Harvard tailback Paul Stanton won the Turco Memorial Trophy after scoring the game-winning touchdown as the Crimson defeated the Crusaders 41-35 in triple overtime.

HOLY CROSS IN HOMECOMING GAMES: The Crusaders have posted an all-time record of 33-31-1 in Homecoming games. Holy Cross has lost its last two games on Homecoming weekend, including a 41-35 triple overtime setback against Harvard last season. The Crusaders previously won six out of seven games on Homecoming weekend from 2005-2011, and also came out of top in 11 straight Homecoming games from 1982-1992. This year's contest will mark the fourth time Holy Cross has faced Fordham in its Homecoming game. In the previous Homecoming meetings between the schools, Holy Cross won in 1952 (12-7), 2006 (28-21) and 2010 (36-31).

CRUSADERS IN PATRIOT LEAGUE OPENERS: Holy Cross will begin its 29th season of play in the Patriot League when it faces Fordham on Sept. 27. The Crusaders own an all-time mark of 19-9 in their opening Patriot League contest of the season, including a 51-27 victory at Bucknell last year. Holy Cross has won eight of its last nine conference openers, including five victories over Georgetown (48-6 in 2005, 26-13 in 2006, 55-0 in 2007, 38-14 in 2008 and 20-7 in 2009), two wins over Bucknell (13-6 in 2012 and 51-27 in 2013) and one win over Colgate (37-7 in 2011). The Crusaders also stand 13-3 in conference openers over the last 16 seasons, with the only losses during that span coming against Lehigh (38-20 in 2003), Fordham (42-35 in 2004) and Georgetown (17-7 in 2010). In addition, Holy Cross owns an all-time mark of 21-7 in its opening Patriot League home contest of the season.

RING OF HONOR INDUCTIONS SET FOR THIS WEEK: The athletic department at the College of the Holy Cross will honor two former football standouts on Sept. 27, as the fifth class of the Crusader Football Legends Ring of Honor. Tom Ciaccio (Class of 1992) and Charlie Maloy (Class of 1953) will be honored in a ceremony during the Fordham game, and receive permanent recognition at Fitton Field. Only former Crusader football players who have been elected to the Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame are eligible for this honor, which is an annual event each fall. Individuals who have previously been inducted into the Crusader Football Legends Ring of Honor include Ronnie Cahill (Class of 1940), George Connor (Class of ex1946), Gill Fenerty (Class of 1986), Tom Greene (Class of 1959), Bruce Kozerski (Class of 1984), Gordie Lockbaum (Class of 1988), Pat McCarthy (Class of 1963), Jon Morris (Class of 1964), Edmund Murphy (Class of 1943), Bill Osmanski (Class of 1939), Vince Promuto (Class of 1960), John Provost (Class of 1975), Dave Quehl (Class of 1976), Johnny Turco (Class of 1952), Jeff Wiley (Class of 1989) and Joe Wilson (Class of 1973).

RAYMOND AN ALL-PURPOSE THREAT: Junior wide receiver Kalif Raymond (Lawrenceville, Ga.) is a key player for Holy Cross, both on offense and in the return game. In four games played so far this year, he has totaled 330 all-purpose yards, including 19 receptions for 188 yards and a score. Raymond caught a team-high seven passes for 56 yards in the victory over Central Connecticut, then added six catches for 54 yards at Harvard. During the 2013 season, he caught 42 passes for 400 yards and three touchdowns, rushed 16 times for 67 yards and a score, returned 26 kickoffs for 548 yards and brought back nine punts for 32 yards. In 2012, Raymond earned first team All-Patriot League honors as a return specialist. He brought back 32 kickoffs for 777 yards and a touchdown in 2012, in addition to returning 19 punts for 101 yards. Over the course of his collegiate career, Raymond has now caught 61 passes for 588 yards and four scores.

THE LAST MEETING WITH FORDHAM: Mike Fess caught seven passes for 94 yards and a touchdown, but Holy Cross was defeated by No. 9 Fordham 32-30 at Jack Coffey Field on Nov. 2, 2013. Fess also broke the all-time school record for career receptions with 3:59 remaining in the second quarter. Peter Pujals completed 23 of 38 attempts for 238 yards and three touchdowns on the day, in addition to rushing for 88 yards and a score on 18 carries. Michael Nebrich led the Rams by completing 39 of 49 passes for a school-record 524 yards and a touchdown. Holy Cross opened the scoring at the 2:46-mark of the first quarter on a five-yard touchdown run by Pujals. Fordham came back with an 11-yard scoring run by Carlton Koonce, to pull in front 7-6. The Crusaders regained the lead early in the second quarter, when Pujals threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Toulouse.  John Macomber then booted a 46-yard field goal, and Pujals connected with Fess on a 37-yard scoring strike to give Holy Cross a 23-7 lead. But Nebrich ran 10 yards for a score with just 12 seconds left before halftime, making the score 23-14. Early in the third quarter, Nebrich scored on a seven-yard run to cut the Crusaders' lead to 23-21. The Rams then regained the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter, with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Nebrich to Brian Wetzel. Michael Marando added a 39-yard field goal for Fordham to make it a two-possession game, before Holy Cross concluded the scoring with a five-yard touchdown pass from Pujals to Nate Stanley. Roman SanDoval led the Crusader defense with nine tackles.

RAM-CRUSADER CUP AT STAKE: The winner of the contest between Holy Cross and Fordham will take home the Ram-Crusader Cup. The trophy was first dedicated in 1951 in memory of Major Frank Cavanaugh, a former head coach at both Holy Cross and Fordham. Cavanaugh posted a 16-10-2 record with the Crusaders from 1903-1905, and was later 34-14-4 with the Rams from 1927-1932. Holy Cross has won the Ram-Crusader Cup 16 times in the 28 years it has been awarded.

DEFENDING THE HOME TURF: Holy Cross has enjoyed great success at Fitton Field over the years, including a 2-0 mark so far this season. The Crusaders, who played their first game at Fitton Field in 1903, have posted an all-time home mark of 370-180-27 (.665). From Oct. 11, 2008-Oct. 9, 2010, Holy Cross had a streak of 13 straight victories at home. The Crusaders had a perfect 6-0 mark at Fitton Field in 2009, and finished the 2011 campaign with a winning record at home for the sixth straight season. Fitton Field is the second-oldest stadium still used for Division I college football, behind only Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania (opened in 1895).

HEAD COACH TOM GILMORE: A two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year (in 2006 and 2009), Tom Gilmore is now in his 11th season as the head football coach at Holy Cross in 2014. He has guided the Crusaders to an overall record of 58-58 during his time at Holy Cross, including a 55-50 mark since the beginning of the 2005 campaign. In 2009, Gilmore led the Crusaders to an overall record of 9-3, the Patriot League championship and a trip to the NCAA playoffs. A finalist for the 2009 Eddie Robinson Award, Gilmore led the Crusaders to winning records in seven straight seasons from 2005-2011, including 7-4 marks in 2006, 2007 and 2008, along with winning streaks of six games (in 2008) and five games (in 2006 and 2009). Two of Gilmore's players, Dominic Randolph (2007, 2008 and 2009) and Steve Silva (2005), have been named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year, with Silva earning first team All-America honors. Gilmore has also led the Crusaders to four victories over ranked opponents, three of which came in 2009. Prior to his time at Holy Cross, Gilmore served as an assistant coach at Lehigh (2000-2003), Dartmouth (1992-1999), Pennsylvania (1986, 1990-1991) and Columbia (1987-1989). An Academic All-American at Pennsylvania, Gilmore graduated in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in computer mathematics. He was the Ivy League Player of the Year as a senior and helped lead the Quakers to four consecutive Ivy League titles.

FORD STEPS UP IN SECONDARY: Sophomore free safety Luke Ford (Glenview, Ill.) has become one of the top players in the defensive backfield for the Crusaders this season. Last week against Harvard, Ford tallied three tackles and an interception. Previously against Central Connecticut, he led the team with 11 tackles, to go along with an interception, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup. Ford also played well at Albany, posting a team-best 11 total tackles and two pass breakups. On the season, he has now recorded 26 tackles, two interceptions and three pass breakups. In 2013, Ford played in 11 games as a backup safety and on special teams, totaling seven tackles and one quarterback sack. Over the course of his Holy Cross career, Ford has now recorded 33 tackles and two tackles for loss.

PUJALS SHINES AT QUARTERBACK: Sophomore quarterback Peter Pujals (Glenview, Ill.) is once again leading the Holy Cross offense this year. During the victory over Central Connecticut, he accounted for 287 yards of total offense and two touchdowns, including a career-high 131 rushing yards. Previously against Morgan State, Pujals hit on 16 of 29 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown, in addition to running the ball 15 times for 74 yards and another score. He also played well in the season opener at Albany, completing 23 of 42 passes for 323 yards and a touchdown, while rushing 10 times for 31 yards. Overall this season, Pujals has connected on 80 of 138 attempts for 905 yards and four scores, in addition to rushing for 267 yards and a touchdown on 60 attempts. In 2013, he was selected as the Patriot League Rookie of the Year and placed eighth in the voting for the Jerry Rice Award, presented annually by the Sports Network to the top freshman in the Division I football championship subdivision. He completed 211 of 332 attempts for 2,261 yards and 19 touchdowns last season, in addition to running the ball 136 times for 469 yards and eight scores. Pujals has now hit on 291 of 470 passes for 3,166 yards and 23 touchdowns in his collegiate career, while rushing 196 times for 736 yards and nine scores.

WIECZOREK BECOMES A TOP TARGET: Sophomore wide receiver Jake Wieczorek (Cumming, Ga.) has become one of the top options in the Holy Cross passing game this year. Last week at Harvard, Wieczorek had a career-high 11 receptions for 98 yards. Previously against Morgan State, he made five catches for 112 yards. Wieczorek also played well at Albany, catching seven passes for a career-high 149 yards and a touchdown. On the season, he now leads the team with 25 receptions for 376 yards and two scores. Last season, Wieczorek caught 12 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Over the course of his collegiate career, he has totaled 37 receptions for 591 yards and four scores.

TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE: The 2014 campaign marks the 119th season of Holy Cross football. The Crusaders currently own an overall record of 612-497-54, good for a .549 winning percentage. Prior to the start of the 2014 season, Holy Cross' 610 all-time victories ranked as the 15th most among all Division I-AA schools. Holy Cross has had 31 first team All-America selections, sent 69 players on to professional football, won five Lambert Cups, claimed six Patriot League championships, and was named the Division I-AA Team of the Year in 1987. The Crusaders also played in the 1946 Orange Bowl, losing to host Miami on the game's final play.

HOLY CROSS IN THE NCAA STATISTICS: Three Crusaders are ranked among the NCAA leaders in various statistical categories, through games of Sept. 20. As a team, Holy Cross stands sixth in the nation in third down conversions, 10th in fourth down conversions and 11th in kickoff coverage. The rankings:

CRUSADERS AMONG PATRIOT LEAGUE LEADERS: Several Holy Cross players rank at or near the top of the Patriot League standings in a number of statistical categories, through games of Sept. 20. Sophomore quarterback Peter Pujals (Glenview, Ill.) leads the league in total offense (293.0 yards/game), while standing third in passing yards (226.3 yards/game) and fourth in pass efficiency (119.7 rating). Sophomore wide receiver Jake Wieczorek (Cumming, Ga.) ranks second in the conference in receiving yards (94.0 yards/game) and receptions (6.3 catches/game) and fifth in all-purpose yards (104.5 yards/game). In addition, sophomore free safety Luke Ford (Glenview, Ill.) stands fourth in the league in interceptions (0.5 picks/game) and freshman cornerback Alim Muhammad (St. Louis, Mo.) is fourth in kickoff returns (20.0 yards/return). As a team, Holy Cross leads the conference in punt returns (16.5 yards/return), while standing second in first downs (20.8 first downs/game) and third in turnovers caused (1.3 turnovers/game).

CRUSADERS ON THE RADIO: All of Holy Cross' games in 2014 will air on WTAG 580 AM and 94.9 FM in Worcester. Holy Cross Hall of Famer Bob Fouracre is in his 44th season calling the play-by-play for Holy Cross football, and his 28th year covering the Crusaders on the radio. Former Holy Cross standouts Tom Kelleher, Gordie Lockbaum and John O'Neill will serve as the color commentators for selected games this season. All of the Crusaders' games will also be available free of charge over the internet by clicking here. In addition, WCHC 88.1 FM, the Holy Cross student station, will carry a number of games this year.

HOLY CROSS ON TELEVISION: The Crusaders are scheduled to have five games shown on live television during the 2014 season. Here is a look at Holy Cross' television schedule for the 2014 campaign:

Sept. 6 vs. Morgan State: Charter TV3
Sept. 27 vs. Fordham: Charter TV3
Oct. 25 at Lafayette: Lafayette Sports Network
Nov. 8 vs. Lehigh: Charter TV3
Nov. 15 vs. Bucknell: Charter TV3

CRUSADER VISION: Live video streaming of all 2014 Holy Cross regular season home football games will be available over the internet through Crusader Vision. The package, done in association with Campus Insiders as part of the Patriot League Network, is available free of charge. For details on how to view games through Crusader Vision, click here.

THE HOLY CROSS FOOTBALL SHOW: Every week during the season, head coach Tom Gilmore will be joined by Bob Fouracre for the Holy Cross Football Show. The show airs  exclusively on the internet, with archives of all the shows available to those who can not watch live. The show is carried through Crusader Vision free of charge. For more details, click here.

HOLY CROSS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Updates on Holy Cross football can be found through the Holy Cross Athletics pages on the following social media networks:

Facebook: Holy Cross Athletics
Twitter: @GoHolyCross
YouTube: GoHolyCross
Instagram: GoHolyCross

E-MAIL ALERTS: Get all the latest news and results on the Holy Cross football team sent directly to your e-mail. To sign up for e-mail alerts, click here.

QUICK HITS: Senior wide receiver Tyler Artim (Whitehall, Pa.) had a career-best five receptions for 56 yards at Harvard. He has now caught 40 passes for 442 yards and three touchdowns in his Holy Cross career ... Freshman tailback Diquan Walker (Clearwater, Fla.) scored the first touchdown of his collegiate career on a 24-yard run against Central Connecticut. On the season, he now has 18 carries for 82 yards ... Fifth-year senior linebacker Tyler Zeoli (King of Prussia, Pa.) has been named a candidate for the 2014 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The award recognizes a select group of college football players who have made a commitment to enriching the lives of others while contributing to the greater good of their communities.