WORCESTER, Mass. — In a season struck by adversity yet defined by tenacity, drenched by rain and punctuated by late-game heartbreak — the Holy Cross football team's spirits never dampened. 

All season long, the Crusaders weathered the storm, and with a 31-10 victory over Georgetown on Saturday, Nov. 18 at Fitton Field, Holy Cross (7-4, 5-1 Patriot League) clinched a share of the Patriot League crown in its regular-season finale — marking an unprecedented fifth straight league championship for the Crusaders. 

This marks the 11th Patriot League title in Holy Cross history; no other team in league history has ever won five consecutive conference titles.

"We were dealt many blows this season and still responded," said head coach Bob Chesney. 

Senior quarterback Matthew Sluka turned in a stellar performance, rushing for 161 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while also passing for 123 yards and a touchdown in the air. 

Making his first start of the season, fifth-year running back Tyler Purdy rushed for a career-best 106 yards. Senior wide receiver Jalen Coker caught a touchdown and had 90 receiving yards. 

Defensively, fifth-year linebacker Jacob Dobbs set a Patriot League record for career tackles with a 12-tackle showing — he now has 432 in his career. He added in 1.5 TFLs, including an eight-yard sack. 

Following the contest, the Crusaders celebrated members of the senior and fifth-year classes as part of their Senior Day.

"The fifth-year guys that came here…and five straight years put a trophy in the trophy case," Chesney said, "Their talent changed the program. Their character changed the culture." 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Holy Cross opened the scoring with a 21-yard field goal from sophomore Luis Palenzuela with 5:56 left in the first. 
• Purdy's 50-yard rush late in the first quarter set up a three-yard keeper by Sluka, extending the Holy Cross advantage to 10-0 just five seconds into the second quarter. 
• Georgetown got on the board with a 31-yard field goal with 8:59 remaining in the first half. 
• Sluka connected with Coker for a 16-yard touchdown, pushing the Holy Cross lead to 17-3 with 5:49 remaining. 
• With 33 seconds left in the first half, Sluka ran into the end zone for the second time, making it a 24-3 game.
• Georgetown's 34-yard touchdown pass with 11:32 remaining cut the Holy Cross lead to 24-10. 
• Senior fullback Phoenix Dickson scored on a one-yard touchdown rush with 7:43 remaining in the third quarter.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 

• Dobbs broke the Holy Cross program record for career tackles for loss in the win — he has 46.5 in his career, surpassing the previous mark of 45 set by Tom Smith (1985-1988) and Corey Vincent (1988-1991). His 432 total career tackles rank third in program history. He has recorded double-digit tackles in every game this season.
• Sluka's 1,247 rushing yards this season are the third-most in single-season program history, surpassing his previous career best of 1,234 from 2022. 
• Coker's 15th touchdown reception of the season ties him with Lehigh alum and current Bucknell head coach Dave Cecchini for the Patriot League's single-season record. 

UP NEXT: 

• The Crusaders will learn their postseason fate on Sunday, Nov. 19. 
• The selection show will be televised on ESPNU at 12:30 p.m. 

FOLLOW THE CRUSADERS 
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