WORCESTER, Mass. — The Holy Cross football team dropped a close matchup to No. 5/6 Rhode Island in a 9-7 setback on Saturday, Sept. 13.
The Crusader defense dominated in key moments during their home opener at Fitton Field, holding the Rams without a touchdown on the day. Junior safety
Garrett Baldwin had a team-high nine tackles with seven solo stops and two tackles for loss and junior cornerback
Cam Jones made seven tackles.
Junior corner
Eli Thompson and junior linebacker
Cam Santee both had two pass breakups and junior safety
Donovan Comestro recorded an interception. Fifth-year defensive tackle
Kevin Gillis had two TFLs, including a sack in addition to a forced fumble.
Junior running back
Jayden Clerveaux rushed for a touchdown on the day. Senior receiver
Max Mosey caught four passes for a team-high 40 yards, while junior
Charly Mullaly (37 yards), sophomore
Ty Curran (36 yards) and senior
Sam Slade (35 yards) each had three receptions.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The Rams (3-0) drove within their own 10-yard line on their opening drive, but the Crusaders (0-3) held them to just a field goal, with Rhode Island taking a 3-0 lead with 6:26 left in the first quarter.
- A 21-yard reception by Curran put the Crusaders in scoring position at the six-yard line; after a few rush attempts, Clerveaux converted on fourth-and-1 to put Holy Cross ahead 7-3 with 5:30 to go in the second quarter.
- Rhode Island connected on another field goal with 1:24 left in the half to cut within 7-6 heading into halftime.
- The Crusaders came up with a number of big stops in the second half — including a TFL by senior defensive end Christian Ross on fourth-and-1 at the 16-yard line midway through the third quarter, and an interception by Comestro with 3:28 left in the third.
- On Holy Cross' next drive following the interception, the Rams defense tallied three sacks; despite a 30-yard gain by Slade, Holy Cross was unable to connect on a field goal, keeping the score at 9-7 early in the fourth quarter.
- The Rams kicked the go-ahead 41-yard field goal with 2:23 to play in the game.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Comestro's interception was the first of his career.
- Baldwin's nine tackles were a career high.
- This is the fourth time since the start of last season that Holy Cross has held an opponent to 10 or fewer points.
UP NEXT:
- Holy Cross will travel to New Haven, Conn. to face Yale on Saturday, Sept. 20.
- Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. at the Yale Bowl. The game will be the Bulldogs' season opener.
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