Holy Cross Football Set to Host Dartmouth on Homecoming Weekend

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Joe Calabro, GoLocalWorcester Sports Team

Peter Pujals

The Holy Cross Crusaders football team (1-2) play their home opener against Dartmouth (1-0) on Saturday afternoon at Fitton Field. The game is part of Holy Cross' homecoming weekend.

“Dartmouth is coming to Fitton Field after posting a big win over New Hampshire in their first game. They will present us with many challenges, but we are looking forward to finally playing at home for the first time this season," said Holy Cross head coach Tom Gilmore.

This will be the 79th meeting between the two schools with the all-time series tied at 37 wins each. The Big Green won the last meeting back in 2014 by a score of 24-21 in New Hampshire.

Dartmouth Big Green

The Dartmouth Big Green are coming off an upset win over #22 New Hampshire last week in which quarterback Jack Heneghan completed 22 passes for 229 yards and three touchdowns to lead the way.

Runningback Rider Stone had seven carries for 90 yards, while wide receiver Houston Brown racked up eight catches for 99 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, Dartmouth is led by senior linebacker Folarin Orimolade who posted a team high of nine tackles with a forced fumble and two pass breakups last week.

Holy Cross

The Crusaders are looking to rebound after dropping two straight games to nationally ranked opponents over the last two weeks.

The Crusaders offense currently ranks first in the country in first downs, averaging 30.3 per game, and third in passing offense, averaging 340 yards per game.

Holy Cross quarterback Peter Pujals is a major reason for all of that. So far this season, he has completed 99 of 157 passes for 1,020 yards and nine touchdowns. Pujals currently leads the country in completions.

His main target so far has been Richie DeNicola, who leads the country with 29 catches for 301 yards and three touchdowns.

DeNicola's fellow wide receiver Jake Wieczorek is second in the country with 28 catches for 285 yards and one touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior defensive end Dewayne Cameron has recorded 18 tackles, two sacks and five tackles for loss so far this season.

Despite his impressive numbers to help lead the Holy Cross defense, the team has given up 36 points per game.

Looking ahead

Following the Dartmouth game, Holy Cross goes back out on the road to face Lafayette in their Patriot League opener.

That game is set for 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 1.