Weekly Notes | Holy Cross Football vs. Merrimack

No. 5 Holy Cross (0-0) vs. Merrimack (0-0)
Saturday, Sept. 2 
2 p.m. Kickoff
Fitton Field | Worcester, Mass.  

The No. 5 Holy Cross football team kicks off its 2023 season with a home matchup against Merrimack College. Kickoff against the Warriors is set for 2 p.m. at Fitton Field.

This marks the first time since the 2012 season that the Crusaders have kicked off the season at home. 

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.

SERIES HISTORY

This will be the third meeting between the Crusaders and Warriors all-time; the teams have met each of the last two seasons.

SERIES QUICK FACTS:
Overall series | tied, 1-1
In Worcester | Merrimack leads, 1-0
At Fitton Field | Merrimack leads, 1-0
Current Win Streak | Holy Cross, one
Bob Chesney vs. Merrimack | 5-2
Dan Curran vs. Holy Cross | 1-1
In Overtime | n/a

LAST TIME THEY MET: The Crusaders defeated Merrimack, 31-17, in the teams’ season opener in 2022. The Crusaders totaled 502 yards of offense and did not punt once. Matthew Sluka totaled 242 passing yards and a pair of touchdowns in the air, while also rushing for 102 yards and another touchdown. Jalen Coker had three receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Holy Cross held the Warriors to 280 total yards and just 81 rushing yards.
 

WITH A WIN, HOLY CROSS WOULD…

Win its fourth straight season opener
Win its 18th consecutive regular-season contest
Defeat Merrimack for the second straight season
Win its 11th straight home game

NATIONAL RANKINGS

Holy Cross earned a No. 5 preseason ranking from Stats Perform and AFCA in both polls, as announced this summer. At the conclusion of the 2022 season, the Crusaders were ranked No. 6 in the final Stats Perform and AFCA polls. 

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