Sophomore running back Joseph Williams was named the Patriot League Offensive Player of the Week, as announced by the conference on Monday, Nov. 2. 

Williams had his best game to date as a Crusader, helping lead Holy Cross to an upset victory over No. 19/21 Richmond on Saturday, Oct. 31. 

In the 33-14 win, Williams recorded a career-best 206 yards on the ground and scored three touchdowns — also a career high. He nearly single-handedly outgained the Spiders, who recorded 209 total yards of offense on the day. 

Williams' performance was the first 200-yard rushing game by a Crusader since a 228-yard showing by Jordan Fuller at Lehigh in the 2023 season. Williams has recorded over 100 yards in four consecutive games and elevated his career high in each of the last three; he ranks second in the Patriot League with 850 rushing yards this season. 

He is also the first Crusader to rush for 100 yards or more in four consecutive games since Jerome Fuller rushed for over 100 yards in five straight games in 1991. 

The win was Holy Cross' first against a ranked opponent since 2022. The Crusaders most recently defeated a ranked opponent in a 2022 FCS playoff game against #15 New Hampshire. Saturday also marked the first regular-season win for Holy Cross against a ranked opponent since a victory over #22 Fordham in 2022, and the first upset over a higher-ranked opponent since defeating #20 Monmouth on the road in 2021.

The Crusaders return to action on Saturday, Nov. 7 with a Patriot League matchup at Georgetown. Kickoff in Washington, D.C., is set for 12:30 p.m.

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