The Holy Cross football team rounds out its regular season with a visit to the nation’s capital, with a Patriot League contest at Georgetown on Saturday, Nov. 23. Kickoff in Washington, D.C., is set for 12:30 p.m., and the game will be broadcasted live on ESPN+.
The Crusaders (5-6, 4-1 Patriot League) enter Saturday’s game after a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Bucknell on Saturday, Nov. 16, rallying from a 21-3 first-half deficit and earning a 40-38 win.
Sophomore running back Jayden Clerveaux scored two touchdowns, totaling 91 rushing yards on 23 carries. Senior tight end Jacob Petersen had a team-high 90 yards on three receptions. Senior quarterback Joe Pesansky passed for 186 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 26 yards. Rookie Alijah Cason was stellar on kickoff, with four returns for a total of 143 yards.
Senior linebacker Frankie Monte had an all-around effort on defense, with eight tackles (including six solo), an interception that led to a scoring drive, one tackle for loss and a game-sealing fumble recovery. He earned FCS Player of the Week, Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week and Gold Helmet Award honors for his efforts.
Senior safety Jake Jarmolowich finished with a team-high nine tackles and a pass breakup. Holy Cross had five sacks on the day, including two from senior defensive tackle Joe Townsend — who had a strip sack on Bucknell’s final drive of the game. Junior defensive end Christian Ross finished with 2.5 TFLs, including a six-yard sack. Senior safety Curtis Harris-Lopez had a 56-yard pick six in the fourth quarter; sophomore kicker Daniel Porto hit the game-winning 23-yard field goal with under a minute left in the game.
With a win on Saturday, Holy Cross would clinch at least a share of its sixth consecutive Patriot League title — extending the longest streak of consecutive championships by any team in conference history — and the Crusaders’ 12th Patriot League crown overall. Holy Cross enters Saturday’s matchup tied for first place in the league standings with Lehigh, which hosts Lafayette on Saturday at 12 p.m. Lehigh holds the head-to-head tiebreaker for the Patriot League’s autobid to the NCAA FCS playoffs.
