WORCESTER, Mass. — The No. 6 Holy Cross football team ran past Lehigh, earning a 42-14 victory to remain undefeated and clinch its fourth consecutive Patriot League title on Saturday, Nov. 5 at Fitton Field.
The Crusaders (9-0, 5-0 Patriot League) have earned the Patriot League's autobid to the FCS playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, and own at least a share of the conference crown for the fourth straight year — tying Lehigh for the most consecutive titles in league history.
Holy Cross rushed for a season-best 338 yards as a team — their third game in the last four with over 300 rushing yards — totaling 470 yards of offense.
Junior quarterback Matthew Sluka ran for a team-best 146 yards on the ground while scoring a touchdown; he additionally threw a touchdown and had 126 passing yards. Senior running back Peter Oliver had 136 rushing yards and scored a touchdown; sophomore running back Jordan Fuller rushed for three touchdowns. Defensively, senior linebacker Liam Anderson totaled nine tackles, including two for loss.
The Crusaders held Lehigh (1-8, 1-3 Patriot League) to just 281 yards of offense and only 81 rushing yards.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Fuller had a two-yard score to give Holy Cross a 7-0 lead with six minutes remaining in the first. That lead grew to 14-0 by the 9:30 mark of the second after Oliver had a one-yard carry for a touchdown.
- Lehigh cut the score in half with Mountain Hawks quarterback Dante Perri connecting with Jalen Burbage for a 35-yard touchdown with 5:24 left in the second.
- With just 11 seconds to go in the first half, senior wide receiver Spencer Gilliam caught a six-yard touchdown pass from Sluka to give the Crusaders a 21-7 edge heading into halftime.
- The Mountain Hawks capitalized on an interception and later a 39-yard touchdown pass to Geoffrey Jamiel, making it a 21-14 contest just 54 seconds into the third quarter.
- After junior cornerback Terrence Spence got his hand on a Lehigh punt, Holy Cross took advantage of strong field position at the Lehigh 35. Oliver had a couple of carries, including a 30-yard run, and then Sluka scored a four-yard touchdown with 9:15 remaining in the third to make it a 28-14 game.
- On Lehigh's next drive, senior cornerback Devin Haskins forced a fumble, which was recovered by senior safety Terrell Prince at the Holy Cross 44-yard line. The Crusaders went on to score on the ensuing drive, with Fuller notching his second touchdown of the day on a five-yard carry with 3:24 left in the third.
- Lehigh ended the third quarter positioned at Holy Cross' one-yard line; a goal-line stand kept the Mountain Hawks off the board completely and preserved the 35-14 lead.
- Fuller scored his third touchdown of the day with a one-yard run with 5:30 to go in the game.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Holy Cross has won 16 straight conference contests and 14 consecutive regular-season matchups.
- The Crusaders have now defeated Lehigh in five straight meetings.
- Oliver's 136 rushing yards were a season high.
- Holy Cross has blocked seven punts as a team this year; Spence's blocked punt was his second of the year.
4-PEAT CHAMPIONS:
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders host Bryant on Saturday, Nov. 12 in nonconference action.
- Kickoff on Senior Day is set for 12 p.m. at Fitton Field.
- Tickets for the matchup can be purchased at goholycross.com/tickets.
FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS
Be sure to follow the Holy Cross football team — and all things Crusader Athletics — on social media!
Twitter - @HCrossFB | @goholycross
Instagram - @hcrossfb | @goholycross
Facebook - Holy Cross Football | Holy Cross Athletics
YouTube - GoHolyCross
