Holy Cross Eyes First Conference Win vs. Lafayette

Saturday, October 24, 2015

Joe Calabro, GoLocalWorcester Sports Team

Head Coach Tom Gilmore

The Holy Cross Crusaders (2-4, 0-2(PL) will host (1-6, 0-2 PL) Lafayette this afternoon at 1 p.m. on Fitton Field. Holy Cross is still looking for their first conference win and looking to snap a two game winning streak.

This will be the 30th all-time meeting between the Crusaders and Leopards with Lafayette leading the series 16-13. However, Holy Cross has won six of the last nine games.

Lafayette is coming off a 42-0 loss to Harvard while the Crusaders are coming off a heartbreaking 47-41 overtime loss to #10 Fordham.

"We are looking forward to getting back to Fitton Field this week. We have continued to improve in many areas, but still need to get more consistent in others, and we are striving to put together a complete game this week," said Crusaders head coach Tom Gilmore.

How Holy Cross Can Win

For the Crusaders to get back in the win column against Lafayette, they will need to execute and not give the Leopards any confidence that they desperately need coming off a 42-0 loss.

Offense

Offensively, the Crusaders will be able to move the ball on the Leopards who come in ranked last in the conference in total defense giving up 452 yards per game, 217 rushing yards and 235 passing yards.

Led by Peter Pujals, the Crusaders currently have the best passing offense in the league, averaging 275 yards per game through the air.

As long as the Crusaders stay away from turnovers, especially on their own side of the field, they should be able to move the ball and score on this Lafayette defense that fives up 33 points per game.

Defense

Similar to their defense, Lafayette's offense is also last in the league, only averaging 284 yards and ten points per game.

The Crusader defense should focus in on the Lafayette passing attack starting with quarterback Drew Reed, who has thrown for 1,203 yards and six touchdowns so far this season. Reed's main weapon is Matt Mrazek who has 41 catches for 474 yards and two touchdowns.

The Crusaders should focus in on the passing attack because Lafayette only averages 44 yards per game on the ground. Leopards running back DeSean Brown has 63 carries for 213 yards and one touchdown on the season.

Bounce back win

The Crusaders have a great opportunity to get in the win column this week against a struggling Lafayette team. Holy Cross will be able to move the ball on offense, as long as they don't turn it over and on defense they should focus in on the passing attack of the Leopards.

For tickets to the game and or more information, click here.