BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Holy Cross football team defeated Lehigh, 20-3, in the team's Spring 2021 season opener on Saturday, March 13.

A stout defensive effort, paced by a strong performance from the defensive line, helped lead Holy Cross to the victory, with the Crusaders holding Lehigh to just 24 rushing yards in the contest.

Junior defensive lineman Dan Kuznetsov had seven tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Senior defensive lineman Jordan Jackson had five tackles, with 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble; junior defensive lineman Jake Reichwein had five tackles and a sack. Sophomore linebacker Jacob Dobbs added in seven tackles and a fumble recovery.

Sophomore wide receiver Ayir Asante and senior wide receiver Dean Nagle each caught a touchdown for Holy Cross. Junior Derek Ng converted on both of his field goal attempts and a pair of extra points to round out the Crusaders' scoring. Junior Jonathan Abrams led the Crusaders with 62 rushing yards on the day.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Despite two early turnovers by the Crusaders, Lehigh only connected on one field goal to hold a 3-0 lead with 7:54 to go in the first quarter.
• With Lehigh at its own nine-yard line, Jackson sacked Mountain Hawks quarterback Cross Wilkinson and Dobbs recovered a fumble to give Holy Cross the ball back at the Lehigh six-yard line.
• On the ensuing drive, quarterback Connor Degenhardt had a pass tipped, but Nagle held onto the ball for a four-yard touchdown to put Holy Cross ahead with 2:56 left in the first.
• To open the second quarter, Degenhardt connected with Asante, who snuck in a 14-yard touchdown to give Holy Cross a 14-3 advantage with 12:37 to go in the first half after Ng's extra point.
•  Ng hit a 42-yard field goal with 1:55 left in the first half to give the Crusaders a 17-3 lead headed into halftime.
• After the Mountain Hawks fumbled a 40-yard punt from sophomore Patrick Haughney, senior Josh Hicks recovered the ball at the Lehigh 37-yard line. That set up Ng to make his second field goal of the game with 3:28 to go in the third, when he connected on a school-record 51-yarder to make it a 20-3 game.

• In addition to besting the previous record of 49 yards for the longest field goal in program history, Ng's 51-yard kick was also the longest in Goodman Stadium history.
• Lehigh's three points are the fewest points scored by a Holy Cross opponent in a season opener since the Crusaders posted a 19-0 victory over Rhode Island on Sept. 15, 1984.
• Nagle's touchdown in the first quarter marked the first of his career.

• The Crusaders will play their home opener on March 20 against Fordham.
• Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Fitton Field.