Holy Cross Crusaders – New England Football Journal®

5 Observations from a spirited Holy Cross spring practice

March 26, 2023

WORCESTER – The St. Ignatius Indoor Facility on the campus of Holy Cross was full of energy on Saturday morning. In front of over 125 recruits lined around the field inside the beautiful facility, Holy Cross welcomed those recruits and families with Patriot League trophy photo ops and a true championship program feel during an intense practice. From the time stretching ended around 10:24 to the time head coach Bob…

On spring ball Eve, Holy Cross unveils 2023 schedule

March 15, 2023

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Image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics On Thursday evening, Holy Cross will be back on a field as a team for the first time since the soul-crushing defeat in the FCS playoffs. With guys like Matt Sluka and Jalen Coker back offense and some familiar faces on defense, there’s little reason to believe that HC can’t have another magical season and make another deep playoff run. Now, in fairness, going…

Holy Cross OC Chris Smith headed to the NFL

March 6, 2023

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Whenever Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney is asked about leaving the program for another job or having his staff members poached, he’s remained consistent with his response. If people weren’t interested in him or his staff, then he’s probably not doing a good job and the team probably isn’t winning. Well, when an NFL team comes calling for your offensive coordinator, something’s got to be going right. On Saturday,…

Chesney talks about Holy Cross’ recruiting message & building for the future

February 6, 2023

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Image courtesy of @HCrossFB Maintaining a program is one thing, but maintaining a championship caliber program in an era where kids can literally go wherever they want pretty much wherever they want is a whole different ballgame. With the news that head coach Bob Chesney restructured his deal to keep him in Worcester through 2028, all eyes in the fan base should have immediately turned to the recruiting class that…

Holy Cross uses early signing period & National Signing Day to reload

February 1, 2023

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Image courtesy of @HCrossFB At this point, would anyone be surprised if the other Patriot League teams filed a petition or something to keep Holy Cross off the recruiting trail? Winners of four straight league titles and about one quarter away from playing in the FCS semifinals a year ago, Holy Cross added a bunch of new faces on NSD Wednesday. The Crusaders have Matt Sluka back at quarterback, which…

Holy Cross: Patriots head coach Bill Belichick pulling for Crusaders on Saturday

December 9, 2022

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The Patriots have a pretty important game to worry about this Monday night, but in the meantime, head coach Bill Belichick will be watching the Holy Cross playoff game on Saturday. Belichick’s daughter Amanda is of course the head women’s lacrosse coach, so the HC of the NEP has some pretty strong feelings about the school. Plus, head coach Bob Chesney and Belichick – among others on the staff –…

Holy Cross: Fifth-year Crusaders drawing from experience ahead of playoff showdown with South Dakota State

December 8, 2022

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Image courtesy of David Eggen/Inertia April 24, 2021 may have been a turning point in the trajectory of the Holy Cross football program. That afternoon – after playing just three regular season games in the odd spring season – the Crusaders lost 31-3 to No. 1 South Dakota State in the first round of the FCS playoffs. The Jackrabbits went on to lose the national championship game to Sam Houston,…

Holy Cross: Crusaders remain unbeaten, reach NCAA quarterfinals for first time in 39 years

December 3, 2022

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WORCESTER – If you remember the old NFL Films clips of cold, raw, wet, muddy playoff games from the 70’s and 80’s, you’ve got a pretty clear picture of what the NCAA FCS playoff game between UNH and Holy Cross was like on Saturday afternoon. A huge crowd braved the elements to watch the Crusaders continue their special season with a 35-19 win over the Wildcats in the second round…

FCS Playoff Four Down Preview: UNH Wildcats (9-3) @ No. 8 Holy Cross Crusaders (11-0)

December 3, 2022

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Image courtesy of ESPN Kickoff: It’s an all-New England showdown in the second round of the FCS playoffs on Saturday when New Hampshire visits Holy Cross for what could be an epic day. UNH is riding high off a CAA title and a win over the Crusaders’ Patriot League rival Fordham in the first round last weekend. The eighth-seeded Holy Cross squad enjoyed a bye week during the first round…

Holy Cross: Chesney wins Patriot League COTY; Crusaders get 18 All-Patriot League selections

November 22, 2022

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Image courtesy of @HCrossFB The list continues to grow. Holy Cross has racked up awards and national recognition all year long, but on Tuesday the list grew exponentially as Bob Chesney and the rest of the program enjoy a well-earned bye week before hosting a second round FCS playoff game at Fitton Field on December 3. The team earned a ridiculous 18 All-Patriot League selections for the 2022 season while…

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