Ben Paradis ’28
Staff Writer
This past weekend, the Holy Cross Crusader football team took a trip up to Syracuse, NY, to face off against Kyle McCord and the Syracuse Orange.
The Crusaders walked into the JMA Wireless Dome, and looked to make noise against a formidable FBS opponent. With just one win in the first four games of the 2024 season, the Crusaders hoped to gain positive momentum as the underdogs.
Despite a last-second loss to Stanford the previous week, Syracuse remained full of promise, led by former Heisman candidate and Ohio State transfer, Kyle McCord. The Orange were determined to defend their home field on family weekend.
The Crusaders started the game with the ball but were quickly stifled by the Syracuse defense. The Orange set the tone early; they broke off three straight first downs before Kyle McCord unleashed a downfield bomb to Umari Hatcher. A few plays later, McCord, after rolling out of the pocket, found Hatcher in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Crusaders showed grit, though, throughout the game. On one play, Crusader quarterback Joe Pesansky scrambled and fell just short of the first down marker on a head-first dive. Syracuse stayed hot, as McCord connected on back-to-back passes and crossed midfield. Just a few plays later, McCord snuck a ball to Darrell Gill Jr. in the end zone. After another defensive stand against the Crusaders, a 38-yard passing touchdown by the Orange put them ahead 21-0.
Despite the early struggles, Holy Cross began to show life at the start of the second quarter. After earning a first down, Pesansky hit Max Mosey, who broke free out of a coverage breakdown, with a perfectly placed pass for a 63-yard touchdown. The Crusaders’ first score quieted the Syracuse crowd.
On defense, Crusader safety Carlo Crocetti broke through the Syracuse offensive line and sacked McCord on third down. This play swung momentum in the Crusaders’ favor. Back on offense, Holy Cross reached into their bag of tricks. Pesansky pitched the ball to running back Sam Slade, who lofted a 27-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jacob Petersen. The once lopsided game now had Holy Cross down by just one score, 21-14.
Both teams traded scoreless drives until Syracuse took advantage of strong field position late in the second quarter. Highlighted by acrobatic catches from running back LeQuint Allen and receiver Jackson Meeks, the Orange found themselves back in the red zone. On a screen pass, the Orange scored again, and extended their lead to 28-14.
After a brief failed offensive drive, the Crusaders punted back to Syracuse. Crusader safety Ryan Ruane came up with an interception for Holy Cross as time expired in the first half. Momentum returned to the Holy Cross side as the Crusaders headed back to the locker room.
Holy Cross’ timely defensive plays frustrated Syracuse. Early in the third quarter, McCord’s frustration boiled over into a poorly placed ball into multiple purple and white jerseys. Free safety Jake Jarmolowich came up with another interception for the Crusader defense.
Despite going scoreless in the second half, the Crusaders put up an incredible fight, highlighted by a blocked field goal attempt midway through the third quarter.
However, the Orange controlled the rest of the game with a rushing touchdown to close the third, and a pick-six by defensive back Jack Bellamy with 10 minutes to go in the fourth. The last 10 minutes of the game remained scoreless, and Syracuse ultimately topped Holy Cross 42-14.
Despite the loss, the Crusaders showed plenty of fight. They proved they could compete against a strong FBS team, and their offense and defense each had bright moments. Even in a losing effort, first-year head coach Dan Curran and his squad proved they are not to be taken lightly.
Holy Cross looks to build on these positives as they return to upstate New York next week to face off against the 1-4 Colgate Raiders. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
Copy Edited by Sophia Mariani ’26
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