Five members of the Holy Cross football team were named to the Stats Perform Preseason All-America team, presented by FedEx Ground. Senior quarterback Matthew Sluka, senior offensive lineman Luke Newman and senior linebacker Jacob Dobbs earned a spot on the first team, while senior wide receiver Jalen Coker and senior cornerback Devin Haskins were selected to the second team.
Sluka, the Patriot League's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year, is a two-time All-Patriot League selection. In 2022, he earned first-team accolades, and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, presented to the FCS offensive player of the year. He was also the 2020 Patriot League Rookie of the Year. He led the conference in rushing yards last season, with 1,234 yards — the most of any FCS quarterback — and 11 touchdowns on the ground. A year ago, he also finished 11th among FCS quarterbacks with 26 touchdown passes, eighth in points responsible for (222) and second in passing yards per completion (16.27).
Newman returns for the Crusaders after earning All-America honors in 2022. Newman started in all 13 contests for one of the best offensive lines in the nation; throughout 2022, Holy Cross averaged 37.38 points per contest and 449.4 yards of total offense a game. In Patriot League play, the Crusaders averaged 43.0 points per game. Newman is a two-time first team All-Patriot League honoree.
Dobbs, who was named the Patriot League Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, returns for his fifth season at Holy Cross this fall after appearing in just four contests in 2022 prior to an injury. In 2021, Dobbs was named the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-America honors from Stats Perform, AFCA, HERO Sports and the Associated Press. He is a three-time All-Patriot League honoree and has served as a captain since 2020. In 34 career games, Dobbs has totaled 309 tackles, including 34.5 tackles for a loss of 141 yards, and 16.5 sacks.
Coker earned All-Patriot League first team honors in 2022, leading the team with 11 touchdown receptions and 912 receiving yards. He caught at least one touchdown in eight different games this season, with three touchdown catches in a win over Fordham.
Haskins earned Walter Camp FCS All-America and AFCA All-America honors in 2022, in addition to being named to the All-New England team. He started all 13 games last year for the Crusaders, totaling 47 tackles, four interceptions, 12 pass breakups and a fumble recovery. He blocked a punt in four consecutive games, leading the nation and setting a Patriot League record in that category, and returning two punts for touchdowns. He has earned All-Patriot League honors two seasons in a row, and was recognized in 2022 as both a defensive back and special teams non-specialist on the All-Patriot League first team.
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.
Season 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 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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