Ben Kuchipudi’ 25
Sports Editor
In what would end up being the final game of the season for the Crusaders and the final game at Fitton Field for a number of players, Holy Cross put on a show against their Patriot League rivals, the Georgetown Hoyas.
There wasn’t too much action in the first quarter other than a Luis Palenzuela field goal, but Holy Cross turned it up in the second. On the first play of the second quarter, Matthew Sluka punched it in from three yards out. The Crusader defense did its job on the Hoyas’ next drive, holding them to three points. Eight plays later, the dynamic duo of Sluka and Jalen Coker connected again for Coker’s 15th touchdown of the year, a program record. The defense held strong again, and right before the first half ended, Sluka scored from five yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the game and ninth on the year.
Georgetown looked to make it a game courtesy of a Tyler Knoop to Jimmy Kibble score, but senior fullback Phoenix Dickson put the game away with his first rushing touchdown of the season. In the fourth quarter, Coach Chesney pulled a number of his starters to put in as many seniors as possible, and the Fitton Field crowd roared as they knew that this was the last time they would see a special class of Crusaders play. As the final whistle blew, the players were very emotional, with the seniors knowing that this was their last dance and underclassmen knowing that this was the last game they would be playing with those whom they looked up to. With this victory, Holy Cross finished with a 7-4 record and a 5-1 record in the Patriot League, earning them the honor of Patriot League co-champions with the Lafayette Leopards. Unfortunately, since Lafayette beat Holy Cross earlier this season, they earned the playoff bid, and the Crusaders would miss out on the postseason for the first time since 2018.
Although the season didn’t end the way some people wanted it to, this was still a very special season for Holy Cross football. Players such as Matthew Sluka, Jalen Coker, Jordan Fuller, and Jacob Dobbs set numerous records this season, and when the time comes, these four players along with others from this team should have their names up in the Ring of Honor. After the game, we received news that many seniors would be entering the transfer portal. Star quarterback Matthew Sluka was one of them, and he finished this season with 1,728 passing yards to go along with 20 touchdowns and five picks. He also had 1,247 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, and he showed that he is a true dual-threat quarterback during his time as a Crusader. Jalen Coker set individual and school records this year, finishing with 1,040 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns, a single season record for the Crusaders. Not only did Coker finish with more touchdowns than any receiver at the FCS level, but also in all of college football. This was a historic season for a special player.
Finally, Jacob Dobbs showed that he was the leader of the defense this season. Coming back from elbow surgery, Dobbs finished the season with 123 tackles, six sacks, and three forced fumbles in nine games played. Dobbs also entered the transfer portal, but he is also considering entering his name in the NFL Draft. Other players who entered the portal were offensive guard Eric Schon and punter Patrick Haughney, but other seniors are going out with their heads held high after successful college football careers. The last game as a senior is always an emotional time, as it is the game that they have been playing for most of their lives, but no matter what their future paths are, they will always be Holy Cross Crusaders, and I think I speak for all of Holy Cross when I say that we will miss our seniors, and Roll Saders.
Image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
Leave a Reply