The Holy Cross Crusaders open their 2026 campaign at home against Lehigh on August 29, kicking off at 3:30 p.m. on Fitton Field, setting the tone for a schedule that blends Patriot League matchups with challenging FBS opponents.
Leading the offense, Cam Nolan, the All‑New England lineman and captain, will slide into the starting center role, while Bradford Blattner and Bennett Nunnally anchor the tackles. New transfers Kuba Tyszka and Theo Bachelder are expected to make an immediate impact on the line, adding depth and experience.
At running back, sophomore Joseph Williams tops the returning corps with 121 rushing yards and 217 receiving yards, and Ty Curran leads the receiving group after posting 254 yards last season. The defense will lean on senior captain Carlo Crocetti, who finished 2025 as the team’s leading tackler with 48 stops and eight sacks in league play.
The Crusaders’ slate includes home contests against Villanova, Bucknell, Richmond and Georgetown before closing the regular season with a rivalry game at Fordham. In addition to these matchups, the team will travel to face Patriot League rivals such as Lehigh, as well as non‑conference opponents like Oxford, Ohio’s Miami University, Yale, and William & Mary.
A fresh face on the coaching staff is defensive tackles coach Mikal Myers, who joins the program for 2026, while Ethan Moss, the punter who averaged 45.1 yards per kick in 2025, returns to help flip field position in key victories.
Season Outlook
With a blend of seasoned leaders and promising newcomers, the Crusaders aim to build on the momentum of a 2025 campaign that saw several home victories and a strong finish in Patriot League play. The coaching staff’s adjustments and the depth added through the transfer portal suggest a competitive edge as the team looks to contend for the league title.