VILLANOVA, Pa. — The Holy Cross football team came up just short against fifth-seeded Villanova in a second-round matchup of the NCAA D-I football championship subdivision (FCS) playoffs, falling by a score of 21-16 on Friday, Dec. 3 at Villanova Stadium.
Less than a week after earning its first playoff win in program history, Holy Cross (10-3) rallied from a 14-0 deficit to cut within four points midway through the third quarter, and after the Wildcats (10-2) regained a two-score lead late in the third, the Crusaders again cut within 21-16 in the fourth quarter. However, sitting within a score on their final drive, Holy Cross could not orchestrate another comeback triumph — with the Crusaders eventually turning the ball over on downs at the Villanova 39-yard line.
Sophomore quarterback Matthew Sluka passed for 169 yards and rushed for 106 yards and touchdown to pace the Holy Cross offense. Sophomore wide receiver Jalen Coker had 70 receiving yards for the Crusaders, while junior tight end Sean Morris hauled in a seven-yard touchdown reception.
The loss concluded the season for Holy Cross, and the result snapped a seven-game win streak for the Crusaders, who recorded their first 10-win season since 1991.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Justin Covington rushed for a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter for Villanova, helping the Wildcats build a 14-0 lead with 1:12 left in the first half.
- Coming out of halftime, Sluka orchestrated a 12-play, 68-yard drive that concluded with freshman running back Jordan Fuller lofting a pass up to Morris for a touchdown.
- The Wildcats fumbled the ensuing kickoff, with freshman Frankie Monte forcing the ball out and sophomore Terrence Spence recovering it at the Villanova 25-yard line; senior kicker Derek Ng connected on a 22-yard field goal to bring the Crusaders within four points with 6:10 left in the third.
- Villanova responded with a 55-yard kickoff return, and went on to score on a 14-yard touchdown rush, giving the Wildcats a 21-10 lead with 4:37 left in the third.
- Sluka capped off a long drive with a three-yard touchdown rush, but two-point conversion was unsuccessful, bringing Holy Cross within 21-16 with 6:22 to go.
- The Crusader defense forced the Wildcats to punt on their next drive, and Holy Cross took over with 3:43 left in the contest. Sluka connected with freshman wide receiver Justin Shorter for a 27-yard gain, and had a six-yard carry followed by a five-yard pass to junior wide receiver Ayir Asante. After three incomplete passes, a three-yard rush by Sluka on fourth down was not enough to complete the comeback.
