WORCESTER, Mass. - The Holy Cross football team returns home this week to face Harvard on Saturday, Oct. 19, at 1:00 p.m. The game between the Crusaders and the Crimson will be televised live by Charter TV3 and the Patriot League Network, and can be heard on WEEI 1440 AM in Worcester.

This will be Homecoming weekend at Holy Cross, when a sea of Crusaders young and old will descend upon Fitton Field. It will also be Youth Day, with a free pregame kids' clinic, a postgame autograph session and general admission youth tickets available for just $8.00 each. In addition, the first 500 fans to enter Fitton Field will receive free Holy Cross rally towels courtesy of Unibank.

Holy Cross stands at 3-3 so far this year with a 1-0 mark in the Patriot League. The Crusaders have won their last two games, both on the road, against Bucknell (21-14) and Brown (47-31). Holy Cross currently ranks sixth in the nation in turnover margin (+1.2 turnovers per game) and 18th in pass efficiency defense (116.4 rating).

Junior quarterback Connor Degenhardt has led the Crusader offense by hitting on 99 of 185 passes for 1,260 yards and six touchdowns, while senior running back Domenic Cozier has rushed the ball 62 times for 242 yards and a score. Junior wide out Tenio Ayeni has posted a team-best 25 receptions for 292 yards and a touchdown, with sophomore wide receiver Spencer Gilliam adding 22 catches for 373 yards and two scores.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive back Chris Riley leads the team with 42 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception. Junior defensive back Joe Lang has added 41 tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two pass breakups, while freshman linebacker Jacob Dobbs has totaled 39 tackles, a quarterback sack, an interception and two fumble recoveries.

Harvard stands 3-1 overall this season with a 2-0 mark in the Ivy League. After falling at San Diego (31-23) in their season opener, the Crimson have come back to defeat Brown (42-7), Howard (62-17) and Cornell (35-22) in their last three games.

Junior quarterback Jake Smith has led the Harvard offense by completing 69 of 110 passes for 954 yards and 11 touchdowns with four interceptions. Junior running back Devin Darrington has carried the ball 75 times for 371 yards and five scores, while senior wide out Cody Chrest has totaled 16 receptions for 237 yards and three touchdowns. Junior linebacker Jordan Hill has led the Crimson defense with 20 tackles, three tackles for loss and a fumble recovery, and sophomore defensive lineman Truman Jones has added 18 tackles, four sacks and eight tackles for loss.

Saturday's game will be the 71st all-time meeting between the teams, with Harvard leading the series 43-25-2. The teams have split the previous 16 meetings in Worcester, but Holy Cross has won four of the last five games at Fitton Field.

After the contest with Harvard, Holy Cross will remain at home to face Colgate as part of Family Weekend on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Follow @HCrossFB