Holy Cross Athletics

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — The Holy Cross football team fell short against No. 17 Harvard, who pulled away in the second half for a 30-7 victory on Saturday, Oct. 17.

Sophomore running back Joseph Williams led the Crusaders with 259 all-purpose yards — 123 rushing yards, 87 receiving yards and 49 kickoff return yards — and a touchdown reception. Junior running back Jake Croce had the touchdown pass to Williams, while also rushing for 30 yards and hauling in a 35-yard reception. 

Junior defensive end Cooper Ackerman finished the day with seven tackles, two tackles for a loss of six yards — including a four-yard sack — and a forced fumble. Senior safety Garrett Baldwin had a team-high nine tackles and a TFL, and junior safety Braden Haas finished the day with eight tackles and a pass breakup. Senior edge rusher Carlo Crocetti finished with two TFLs. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• Harvard opened the scoring at 7:54 in the first to take an early 7-0 lead. The Crimson then extended the lead to 10-0 with a 37-yard field goal with 11:43 left in the second quarter.
• The Crusaders responded on the next drive, when Croce took a direct snap and passed to Williams, who broke free for a 51-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 10-7 with 9:32 to go in the half. 
• After a strip sack from Ackerman, junior edge Rushaune Vilane recovered the loose ball at the Holy Cross 32-yard line, but Crusaders were forced to punt on their ensuing drive.
• A strip sack by Crocetti on Harvard's final drive of the first half was recovered by the Crimson, but it held Harvard to a field goal as time expired to give them a 13-7 lead heading into the locker room. 
• A pair of pass breakups by sophomore defensive tackle Vin Ferrara and freshman defensive end Mateo Brink stymied Harvard's opening drive, forcing an early punt. The Crimson defense responded to force a punt and pick off a pass on Holy Cross' next two offensive drives, and Harvard tacked on another field goal with 2:20 left in the third. 
• After a three-and-out by the Crusaders, Crimson quarterback Charlie Smith threw a 67-yard touchdown pass in the final seconds of the third quarter to push the Harvard lead to 23-7. 
• A 10-yard touchdown run by Kise Flannery made it a 30-7 game with 4:29 left. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Williams' 123 rushing yards and 87 receiving yards were both career bests. 
• Croce has thrown two passes this season — and both have been touchdown receptions. 

UP NEXT: 

• The Crusaders return home for back-to-back contests, starting with a Patriot League and Homecoming matchup against Bucknell on Saturday, Oct. 24. 
• Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Fitton Field. 
• Tickets are available at goholycross.com/fbtix and by calling 1-844-GO-CROSS.