Sophomore receiver and kick returner Alijah Cason of the Holy Cross football team has been named the Patriot League Special Teams Player of the Week, as announced on Monday, Sept. 1. 

Cason had an exceptional day on special teams during the Crusaders' contest at FBS foe Northern Illinois on Saturday, Aug. 30. He totaled 187 yards on three kickoff returns and scored a touchdown — the first of his career — on a 97-yard return to bring Holy Cross within two points with four minutes left in the game. 

He also had a 69-yard return to open the second half and a 21-yard kickoff on his first return of the day. 

Cason's 187 kickoff return yards are tied for third in single-game program history; his 97-yard kickoff return is tied for the second-longest in program history and is the longest since 1979.

This is the second time Cason has earned weekly honors from the Patriot League, as he was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week once during the 2024 season. 

Cason was also named an honorable mention for National Special Teams Player of the Week by Stats Perform. 

The Crusaders return to action this Saturday, Sept. 6 at the University of New Hampshire. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

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