WORCESTER — In its first four games, Holy Cross is 1-3 against three CAA opponents and the two-time defending Ivy League champion, but the Crusaders’ greatest test of the season lies ahead Saturday at Syracuse.
HC has, in recent years, certainly been up to the task against its FBS foes, with wins over UConn and Buffalo in 2021 and 2022, and three-point losses to Boston College and Army last season.
“Having success against FBS opponents is always a cool thing to have as part of your program’s history,” Holy Cross coach Dan Curran said. “I think the willingness of this group to go out and compete against anyone at any time is the mentality of this group. I don’t expect that to be any different. They also know it will be a different type of challenge this year. (Syracuse) is far and away the most talented team Holy Cross has seen in a long time. It’s a different challenge and a unique opportunity.”
Kickoff is at noon in the sold-out (49,097) JMA Wireless Dome.
Holy Cross won back-to-back games against Syracuse way back in 1957-58. Since then, the Orange has won 13 straight in the series, including a 41-3 victory in 2019.
Under first-year coach Fran Brown , Syracuse is 2-1, with wins over Ohio and Georgia Tech and last week’s loss to Stanford.
Syracuse took its first lead on Stanford with just over three minutes left, but the Cardinal converted a fourth-and-9 to set up the winning field goal.
This marks the second straight season HC takes on an ACC opponent. Boston College beat the Crusaders, 31-28, last year.
“When you look at it on paper and when you watch film,” Curran said, “usually when you’re playing a Power 4 team the depth is certainly one of the biggest differences, but their team speed across the board is really impressive.”
Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord , who transferred after three seasons at Ohio State, is seeking his fourth straight 300-yard passing game to open the year. McCord appeared in 24 games with 13 starts (12 in 2023) at Ohio State.
“He has played lights out,” Curran said. “We will try to mix up the coverages, mix up the matchups and make those guys earn it, because if you don’t it certainly will be a long day for us defensively.”
Syracuse is HC’s final tune-up before the start of its Patriot League season, which opens Oct. 5 at Colgate.
Crusader sophomore trio hurting
Will Robinson , Brice Stevenson and Jovan George , HC’s talented trio of sophomore starting defensive linemen, is banged up.
Robinson came out of last week’s game against Yale early in the first quarter after making a sack. Stevenson and George missed the last two games due to injuries.
Robinson will travel with the team to Syracuse, Curran said, but is doubtful. He listed Stevenson and George as week-to-week.
“All three are big-time difference makers,” Curran said. “Getting them back in the fold will be massive for our defense, but until then, it’s got to be next-man-up mentality.”
Stevenson started seven games last year and Robinson was a 2024 preseason All-Patriot League selection.
The injuries have given Holy Cross the opportunity to develop some depth along the defensive line. Last week, freshman Jordan Pritchard-Sewell made his second start and had two tackles-for-loss, half a sack and two quarterback hits.
“He’s super explosive, has great leverage and is really good laterally,” Curran said, “and his intelligence. The big thing sometimes for freshmen defensive linemen is they are ready to play physically, but the game is just moving so fast. You need the game to slow down a little bit, and the fact he’s been able to do that in such a short amount of time is a credit to his work ethic and his football IQ.”
Monte earns Patriot League honors
Senior linebacker Frankie Monte was everywhere during the Yale game and finished with a career-best 17 tackles, including 10 solo tackles.
Monte was the Patriot League Defensive Player of the Week.
Monte, who also recorded a quarterback hurry against the Bulldogs, ranks second in the PL and tied for seventh among FCS players with 40 total tackles.
His production and leadership become even more important as HC battles injuries on the defensive side of the ball.
“He is a tone setter,” Curran said. “The way he works in the weight room, the way he practices, the way he plays, it’s one speed. He plays with an edge and he does it every day. It’s a good thing for our younger kids to see. We will continue to need him to be that tone setter the rest of the way.”
Passing game coming along for Crusaders
Last week against Yale, senior quarterback Joe Pesansky had four pass completions of 32 yards or longer, including a career-best 74-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Maxwell Warren in the first quarter.
Pesansky had his lowest completion percentage (46%) of the season against the Bulldogs, but he is at 61% for the season. Pesansky has thrown one TD pass in each of HC’s four games.
“We tell Joe, ‘Don’t try to do too much, be a facilitator, a point guard, make great decisions’ and let the big plays come to him,” Curran said. “He has a great knack for throwing deep balls. As his decision making continues to improve, which is has every week, I fully expect his production and efficiency to go up.”
The long TD pass to Warren was a big one as the Crusaders answered Yale’s opening-drive touchdown in one play.
Warren, who was a Connecticut state champion in the 55 meters in high school and played in five games on special teams last season, also had a pair of rushes for 27 yards against the Bulldogs.
“He is a guy that has some explosive playmaking ability,” Curran said. “He is continuing to develop his football IQ and the subtle nuances of playing receiver at this level. Max understands his ability to take the top off is what makes him unique, but for him to continue to develop as a player, he needed to be more well-rounded and develop every aspect of his game. He’s done a really good job of that.”
Quick hits
Nichols senior receiver Jack Morvan of Uxbridge was the Conference of New England Offensive Player of the Week. In the Bison’s win over Coast Guard, he had eight catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns. Graduate student Quinton Quirrenbach , who had a 93-yard kickoff return for a TD, was the CNE Special Teams Player of the Week. … Worcester State senior running back Nico Holmes , who helped lead the Lancers to a come-from-behind win over Fitchburg State, was the MASCAC Offensive Player of the Week. Holmes carried 27 times for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns. … Anna Maria freshman Delvin Pryor , who had five receptions for 112 yards in the AmCats’ win over SUNY Maritime, was the ECFC Rookie of the Week.
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @JenTolandTG.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: 'Far and away the most talented team Holy Cross has seen in a long time': Crusaders prepared for big test against Syracuse
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