The Spire

Jake McGuire ’27

Staff Writer

Holy Cross had a slow start against the 2-6 Lehigh Mountain Hawks. Lehigh started off strong with two consecutive touchdowns on their first two drives, with two touchdown passes for Eric Johnson from Brayten Silbor. Holy Cross, meanwhile, stumbled out of the gate with a Jordan Forrest fumble and a Joe Pesansky interception to start the game, and Lehigh led at the end of the first quarter 14-0.

However, Holy Cross turned it around fast. They scored on the first play of the second quarter, with a 53-yard TD run by Jordan Fuller, followed by a 34-yard catch by Jalen Coker less than two minutes later to tie the game up 14-14 early in the second. Both teams then scored again to tie it up 21-21 going into halftime, with a clutch 49-yard catch by Coker with 19 seconds left before the half. 

Lehigh came back out ready to go, kicking a 41-yard go-ahead field goal on their first drive of the half, but Holy Cross responded with a 52-yard drive to score the touchdown that gave them the lead. Jordan Fuller put it in the end zone with a 1-yard TD, his second of the day. 

The defense dominated the rest of the game, allowing only five yards in the fourth quarter. Besides the first two drives that resulted in Lehigh touchdowns, they had an overall solid performance, including an interception in the first quarter. This is a significant improvement after allowing seven touchdowns to Fordham last week, so let’s hope the defense can carry their strong defensive play into next week. 

Holy Cross, getting the ball back with 6:50 left in the game, did an excellent job of clock management. With a 13 play drive for 47 yards, they took all the time off the clock and ended the game with possession, never allowing Lehigh to get the ball back for a chance to take the game to overtime. 

Joe Pesansky once again started under center for the Crusaders for a consecutive week as Matt Sluka still recovers from an undisclosed lingering injury. It remains to be seen who will be the starting quarterback for Holy Cross next week, but considering Joe Pesansky threw two 30+ yard touchdown passes, they should be in good hands with either quarterback. 

Jordan Fuller had the biggest game of his Holy Cross career yesterday. This weekend he had 30 carries for 228 yards and two touchdowns, including the touchdown that put them ahead late in the third. His 228 rushing yards was a career-high, and his two touchdowns gave him the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a single season at 18, replacing Joe Sergenti’s record of 16 rushing touchdowns that has stood since 1988. 

Next week, the Crusaders travel to West Point to take on Army on Veteran’s Day. Both teams come into this matchup with momentum, as Army handedly beat their undefeated rival Air Force and Holy Cross is coming off two consecutive wins on the road against conference rivals. It is sure to be a high intensity game with both teams determined to keep their winning streaks alive. 

Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics.