CHESTNUT HILL- Coming into this weekends game between Boston College and Holy Cross, many believed the Crusaders could upset with Boston College. The Crusaders have beaten UConn and Buffalo the last two years so they have experience knocking off FBS opponents. Factor in the Eagles coming in a disappointing week one loss to Northern Illinois and there was doubt that Holy Cross had a chance in this game.

Well, the Crusaders proved they belonged in a game lived up to expectations as the two teams went back and forth with Boston College ultimately prevailing 31-28.  Eagles coach Jeff Hafley opted to start Central Florida transfer Thomas Castellanos. Castellanos played well, completing 13-of-24 passes for 204 yards and two touchdown passes. Castellanos also rushed for 69 yards on 18 carries.

Holy Cross quarterback Matthew Sluka and running back Jordan Fuller were the two X-Factors for the Crusaders coming into the game and they singlehandedly kept Holy Cross in it.

Sluka completed 10-of-15 passes for 130 yards. He also carried the ball 19 times for 131 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Fuller did his part to keep the Crusaders in it as well carrying  the ball 13 times for 109 yards and two rushing touchdowns. The Crusaders had 264 yards rushing as a team.

The game was a back and forth affair and even when it looked like Boston College was going to pull away, Holy Cross found a way to hang around and put together a scoring drive that kept them in the game.

In a fitting ending, the two teams were forced off the field with 1:58 left in the game due to lightning. With Boston College leading 31-28. The delay lasted two hours with play resuming at 5:30 pm.  The Eagles ultimately held on for the win after Sluka fumbled at the 28 yard line going in.

While this was a crushing defeat, Crusaders coach Bob Chesney praised the effort of his team after the game.

“I think we battled. Our guys proved that they belonged here, at this level. I think there were a lot of doubters. A lot of people didn’t think we belonged here but I think these guys proved that they will battle and play 60 minutes with anybody.”

That they did and the large contingent of Holy Cross fans that attended the game and stayed after the rain delay should be proud of their school. They not only hung with Boston College. They proved that they are good enough to beat them.

For the Eagles, a win is a win but Jeff Hafley was clearly frustrated after the game.

“We will play better. If we clean stuff up from these two games…I will get it right. We are a good football team. This is a damn good team. We have a penalty here a penalty there…two weeks in a row we kept teams in the game and it’s not going to work like that. It’s not. We will clean that up and we will win games. We’re good up front and we have good skill players and we have a good defense. It needs to show. So, I’m thrilled we won, I’m proud of the team, but that stuff is going to end. Hear me loud and clear. We are going to win games and I can’t wait to get back to work.”

The game reinforced what we have said all along. These two schools should play each annually. Saturday’s meeting was only the second match up since 1986. That’s unacceptable. This is a great rivalry. It needs to be renewed and played on a yearly basis.