The Holy Cross football team ranked No. 5 in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)
FCS Preseason Coaches' Poll, released on Monday, Aug. 14.
The Crusaders previously also ranked
No. 5 in the Stats Perform Preseason Top 25.
Holy Cross returns to the gridiron in 2023 after a record-setting 2022 campaign, in which the Crusaders secured their fourth consecutive Patriot League championship. Holy Cross won a program-record 12 games and finished with a 12-1 record, falling in the NCAA FCS quarterfinals to eventual national champion South Dakota State. The Crusaders posted their first 11-0 regular season since 1991.
Entering 2023, Holy Cross has won 16 straight regular-season contests, 17 consecutive Patriot League games and two straight games against FBS opponents. The Crusaders have also won an NCAA playoff game each of the last two seasons.
The Crusaders return three All-Americans, in addition to 11 All-Patriot League honorees from 2022.
Holy Cross' season gets underway on Sept. 2 with a home game against Merrimack College. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Fitton Field.
Tickets are now on sale to watch the four-time defending Patriot League champion Holy Cross football team during the upcoming 2023 season. Full season ticket packages for Holy Cross' five home games, including the Crusaders' four games at Fitton Field and one contest at Polar Park, begin at just $80 and provide fans access to a number of exclusive benefits. To renew or purchase season or single-game tickets, fans can visit the Holy Cross ticket website, call or text 1-844-GO-CROSS, or email tickets@holycross.edu.
Tickets are now on sale starting at just $15 for the third annual EBW Football Classic at Polar Park! On Sept. 30, the diamond will be transformed into a gridiron as Holy Cross hosts in-state rival Harvard. For additional information, please contact the Worcester Red Sox at info@woosox.com or 508-500-1000.
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| Rank |
School (1st votes) |
2022 Rec. |
Pts. |
| 1 |
South Dakota St. (24) |
14-1 |
624 |
| 2 |
North Dakota St. (1) |
12-3 |
596 |
| 3 |
Montana St. |
12-2 |
567 |
| 4 |
William & Mary |
11-2 |
510 |
| 5 |
Holy Cross |
12-1 |
459 |
| 6 |
Furman |
10-3 |
438 |
| 7 |
UIW |
12-2 |
424 |
| 8 |
Sacramento St. |
12-1 |
421 |
| 9 |
Samford |
11-2 |
414 |
| 10 |
Weber St. |
10-3 |
325 |
| 11 |
Southeast Missouri St. |
9-3 |
322 |
| 12 |
New Hampshire |
9-4 |
304 |
| 13 |
Idaho |
7-5 |
288 |
| 14 |
Montana |
8-5 |
285 |
| 15 |
Southeastern Louisiana |
9-4 |
259 |
| 16 |
Richmond |
9-4 |
235 |
| 17 |
UC Davis |
6-5 |
226 |
| 18 |
North Dakota |
7-5 |
188 |
| 19 |
North Carolina Central |
10-2 |
139 |
| 20 |
Northern Iowa |
6-5 |
137 |
| 21 |
Delaware |
8-5 |
124 |
| 22 |
Mercer |
7-4 |
123 |
| 23 |
Rhode Island |
7-4 |
73 |
| 24 |
Gardner-Webb |
7-6 |
72 |
| 25 |
Florida A&M |
9-2 |
70 |
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*– Ranking in final AFCA FCS Coaches Poll of 2022
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Others Receiving Votes:Â Yale, 64; Eastern Kentucky, 59; Fordham, 58; Jackson St., 37; Elon, 30; St. Thomas (Minn.), 30; Youngstown St., 28; Princeton, 26; Southern Illinois, 26; UT Martin, 23; Central Arkansas, 22; Chattanooga, 13; North Carolina A&T, 13; Illinois St., 12; Northern Arizona, 12; Southern, 9; Davidson, 7; St. Francis (Pa.), 7; Tennessee Tech, 6; Howard, 5; Pennsylvania, 5; Abilene Christian, 4; Austin Peay, 3; Campbell, 2; Villanova, 1.
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