WORCESTER, Mass. — The Holy Cross football team fell to No. 25 Harvard, 59-24, during its Homecoming matchup on Saturday, Oct. 4.
Senior running back
Nyeoti Punni totaled a career-best 73 rushing yards. Sophomore receiver
Alijah Cason led the team with three catches for 57 yards; freshmen
Joseph Williams and
Lincoln Fisher each had a touchdown reception.
Junior linebacker
Cam Santee paced the defense with 13 tackles, including one for loss, and a pass breakup. Junior linebacker
Carlo Crocetti totaled eight tackles and sophomore linebacker
Lathan Croley finished with seven tackles and a pass breakup.
Harvard (3-0) scored 24 unanswered points to open the game, and led by as much as 49. The Crimson totaled 528 yards of offense on the day.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Harvard capitalized on multiple Holy Cross miscues — a fumble, an interception, and a blocked punt — to take a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
- A field goal gave the Crimson a 24-0 advantage with 8:32 left in the second quarter.
- A 49-yard gain by Punni helped set up a 34-yard field goal for senior kicker Luis Palenzuela, getting the Crusaders on the board with 6:21 left in the second quarter.
- Harvard scored three straight touchdowns to bring the score to 45-3 with 11:03 left in the third.
- After a 44-yard reception by sophomore Ty Curran, sophomore quarterback Cal Swanson connected with Williams for a 44-yard touchdown reception, making it a 45-10 game with 8:39 left in the third.
- But Harvard responded quickly with a 75-yard touchdown run, and scored again with 5:41 left in the third to make it 59-10.
- Fisher caught a 15-yard pass for a touchdown with 8:56 left in the game, and Swanson connected with Cason in the end zone for a 32-yard score with 5:32 left to make it a 59-24 game.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Williams' and Fisher's touchdowns were both the first of their careers.
- Sophomore Ethan Moss had a 63-yard punt on the day, which was the first punt over 60 yards since the 2022 season.
UP NEXT:
- The Crusaders will have a bye before resuming Patriot League action on Saturday, October 18 against Richmond.
- Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
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