Holy Cross on a Crusade for a 5th Straight Patriot League Title

Credit: George Rypysc III via Flickr

On Saturdays in the fall, fans are treated to a brand of football that is the epitome of success in college football in New England. Purple-clad warriors battled their opponents valiantly on the gridiron, posted a conference record of 19-1, and won four consecutive Patriot League titles since 2019.

They are the Crusaders of the College of Holy Cross.

12-1 Record in 2022

Holy Cross won 12 straight games en route to 2nd round appearance in the FCS playoffs last season. The Crusaders ranked 11th in the FCS in total offense, gaining 449 yards per game. And they scored 37 points per game, which was good enough for #7 in the FCS.

Talented Crusaders Return in 2023

The Crusaders return experience at the most critical position, quarterback. Matt Skula was “Matty Football” for Holy Cross, calling the signals from under center, and will be again in 2023.

Skula gained 3723 yards of total offense last season: 2489 yards passing, 26 touchdowns, 4 INTs. 1234 yards rushing, 11 touchdowns. He averaged 94 yards rushing per game, ranking second in the Patriot League. He averaged six yards per carry.

Skula was involved in six of the top offensive performances in the league last year:

• 465 total yards vs. Fordham

• 384 total yards vs. Buffalo

• 378 total yards vs. Georgetown

• 361 total yards vs. Harvard

• 344 total yards vs. Merrimack

• 338 total yards vs. South Dakota State

He went five straight weeks without throwing an INT and 12 TD passes over that same stretch.

For his efforts, Skula was named 1st Team All-Patriot League and was a finalist for the Walter Payton Award, given to the most outstanding offensive player in the FCS.

The 3 J’s Return for Another Title Run

The 3 Js are Jalen, Jordan, and Jacob, as in WR Jalen Coker, RB Jordan Fuller, and

LB Jacob Dobbs.

Coker was selected All-New England and 1st Team All-Patriot League. He caught 50 of Skula’s passes for 912 yards and 11 TDs. He won the Gold Helmet Award in week 5.

Fuller was named 2nd Team All-Patriot League after rushing for 536 yards and 13 TDs. He scored three rushing touchdowns twice last year against both Lehigh and Georgetown.

Dobbs is a team captain and racked up 38 tackles. He recorded double-digit tackles vs. Yale (14 tackles) and Buffalo (11 tackles).

Also returning in 2023 is CB Devin Haskins. He recorded 4 INTs along with 47 tackles and 12 pass breakups on his way to 1st Team All-Patriot League honors.

2022 Ram-Crusader Cup: Holy Cross 53 - Fordham 52 OT

This game showcased two of the best quarterbacks in the league and the FCS—Skula vs Tim DeMorat of Fordham.

Both teams combined for 55 first downs, over 1100 yards of total offense, and 18 penalties for 172 yards.

Skula threw four touchdown passes, three of them to Coker. DeMorat passed for 256 yards and five touchdowns.

The Crusaders and Rams went into overtime. Fordham scored first in the extra period, and then the Crusaders scored a touchdown and a 2-point conversion to win it for Holy Cross.

Holy Cross opens the 2023 season on September 2nd, when they host Merrimack.