Holy Cross football begins a new era: 5 questions as the Crusaders start training camp

The Holy Cross football team opens training camp Thursday, and the Crusaders will usher in a new era under first-year HC coach Dan Curran. Holy Cross hired Curran, who spent the last 11 seasons as the coach at Merrimack, to succeed Bob Chesney in December.

In six seasons at Holy Cross, Chesney guided the Crusaders to five straight Patriot League titles (shared with Lafayette in 2023), four consecutive Football Championship Subdivision appearances, and, from 2021-23, when HC went 29-8, the program’s most successful three-year stretch since 1989-91. Chesney departed Holy Cross for James Madison.

In the Patriot League preseason poll released last week, Holy Cross was No. 2 behind Lafayette.

As the Crusaders’ camp gets underway and they look forward to their 2024 opener at the University of Rhode Island on Aug. 31, here are some storylines to watch.

Holy Cross will have a new look on the sidelines this season, with new coach Dan Curran taking over the team.

Will the Crusaders make it six Patriot League titles in a row and build on the national stature they attained over the last five years?

Holy Cross lost more than 30 seniors/fifth-year seniors from last year’s co-Patriot League champion team to graduation or the transfer portal, and, among many of them, extensive experience and leadership. Still, the Crusaders return talent and veteran presence at several positions, and they are intent on keeping a great thing going.

“The shift in youth on the roster is real,” Curran said, “but I think the leadership on top is as good as I’ve seen it. The older kids have done a great job bridging the gap.

“This is a motivated group,” Curran said, “and I know they’re ready to compete this year.”

Quarterback Joe Pesansky, shown taking a snap from Christo Kelly during spring practice earlier this year, will take over the…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/holy-cross-football-begins-era-160050296.html

Author : Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Publish date : 2024-07-31 16:00:50

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