Maddie Carr ’28
Staff Writer
The Holy Cross football team took another tough hit this weekend, losing 38–3 to Lehigh in what might have been its most discouraging game of the season. Nothing went right for the Crusaders. The offense couldn’t move the ball, the defense couldn’t get off the field, and the frustration was written all over the sideline by the second half.
Coming into the game, Holy Cross was looking for a spark. The team had shown fight in earlier losses, staying competitive in close games, but Saturday’s result showed how far things have slipped. Lehigh ran through the Crusader defense all afternoon, piling up yards while Holy Cross struggled to respond. By halftime, the game was out of reach, and the rest of the day felt like damage control.
The Crusaders’ only points came from a first-quarter field goal, and that brief moment of hope faded quickly. Drives kept stalling, passes missed their marks, and the offense couldn’t find any rhythm. The defense, which has spent much of the season on the field, looked worn down. Lehigh didn’t do anything fancy, but just executed better, played harder, and made fewer mistakes.
The loss dropped Holy Cross to 1–9, and while the record already told the story of a disappointing year, this one hit differently. It wasn’t just another close call or unlucky break. It was a reminder of how far this team has fallen from the group that used to dominate the Patriot League.
Now, with two games left, Holy Cross is playing for pride. The Crusaders travel to Bucknell next weekend before closing the season at Fenway against Georgetown. At this point, there’s no postseason to chase or title to fight for. What matters is how the team finishes and whether it can show a little resilience after such a tough stretch.
The Bucknell game will be a test of effort more than anything else. Both teams have struggled, and it will come down to which side still has something left to give. The finale against Georgetown will be the Crusaders’ last chance to end the season on a positive note in front of their home crowd.
The coaching staff has faced a difficult season trying to get the team to play consistently. Head coach Dan Curran has worked to implement his system and keep players motivated, but results have been uneven. The team has struggled with mistakes, execution, and energy, which makes it hard to see progress on the field. This season has highlighted that building a program takes more than effort alone, and Curran’s challenge now is helping the Crusaders finish the year with focus and accountability.
The loss to Lehigh didn’t just hurt the record. It showed a team that’s still searching for who it is and what it wants to be. There’s no quick fix, but the next two games will at least show whether the Crusaders still have the pride to compete. After the season they’ve had, effort and accountability are about all that’s left to prove.
Featured image courtesy of Holy Cross Athletics
Copy Edited by Sophia Mariani ’26
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