KINGSTON, R.I. — Senior running back
Jordan Fuller had a go-ahead touchdown with 1:47 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Holy Cross football team dropped a heartbreaker to the University of Rhode Island, 20-17, on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Meade Stadium.
The Rams (1-0) marched down the field to score with 19 seconds left, and Holy Cross (0-1) was unable to pull off the last-second miracle.
Fuller paced the Crusader offense, rushing for 139 yards on 28 carries. Sophomore receiver
Charly Mullaly scored his first career touchdown, a 43-yard reception; senior tight end
Jacob Petersen had 43 receiving yards.
The Crusader defense forced six fumbles and recovered three. Senior safety
Curtis Harris-Lopez paced the defense with 10 tackles, including 3.5 for a loss of nine yards, and also added in a forced fumble and pass breakup. Senior linebacker
Frankie Monte had nine tackles and a forced fumble. Senior defensive lineman
Joe Townsend had two sacks, including a strip sack.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Rams dominated time of possession in the first quarter, but the Crusader defense was able to hold Rhode Island to just a field goal after an extended opening drive. Rhode Island added on another field goal in the opening minute of the second quarter, holding a 6-0 lead early on.
- After Holy Cross turned the ball over on downs twice, fifth-year linebacker Matthew Kane forced a fumble which was recovered by sophomore safety Chisom Onwuzurigbo at the Rhode Island 30-yard line. Sophomore placekicker Daniel Porto connected on a 39-yard field goal to put Holy Cross on the board, 6-3, with 5:23 to go in the first half.
- In a defensive battle, Rhode Island finally secured the first touchdown of the game when Devin Farrell's short pass to Tommy Smith made it a 13-3 game with 3:42 left in the third quarter.
- At the start of the fourth, Monte had a booming hit to force a fumble, which sophomore defensive lineman Brice Stevenson recovered at the 50-yard line to give Holy Cross the ball back. After a seven-yard run by Fuller, Mullaly cruised into the end zone after a 43-yard completion by senior quarterback Joe Pesansky, bringing the Crusaders within 13-10 with 12:58 left.
- On Rhode Island's next drive, sophomore defensive end William Robinson blocked a 39-yard field goal attempt to keep Holy Cross within three.
- The Crusaders used 13 plays over the next 7:27, capping the drive with a four-yard touchdown run by Fuller to give Holy Cross its first lead of the day, 17-13.
- The Rams converted on a fourth-and-10 and a third-and-20 on their closing drive to set up a 31-yard touchdown reception by Shawn Harris Jr. with 19 seconds left.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Fuller has rushed for 100 or more yards in a game seven times in his career. His touchdown extended his program career record for rushing touchdowns to 41; he leads all active FCS players in career rushing touchdowns.
- Robinson becomes the first Crusader to block a field goal since Corey Stefanik against Fordham on Nov. 16, 2019.
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross' home opener is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7 against the University of New Hampshire.
- Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Fitton Field.
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