Sports

Holy Cross opened the season ranked No. 5 in the FCS Coaches Poll.

By Associated Press

September 2, 2023 | 7:00 PM

WORCESTER, Mass. (AP) — Jordan Fuller ran for four second-half touchdowns as Holy Cross erased a three-point halftime deficit and defeated Merrimack, 42-20 in the season-opening game for both schools on Saturday.

The Crusaders opened the season ranked No. 5 by the FCS Coaches Poll after winning their fourth consecutive Patriot League title in 2022 with a program-record 12 wins.

Quarterback Matthew Sluka and receiver Jalen Coker, both seniors and preseason All-Americans, connected for the first Holy Cross touchdown from 29 yards out late in the first quarter. Sluka found Fuller from the 14 for a second score early in the second, but the Crusaders went into intermission down 17-14.

Fuller took over from there, capping three long drives with short runs for touchdowns, then capping his day with a 28-yard run to the end zone with a minute left.

Fuller finished with 13 carries for 120 yards and four touchdowns and pulled in one pass for 14 yards and a fifth touchdown. Sluka completed 9 of 14 passes for 190 yards, with an interception and two touchdowns. Coker finished with four catches for 136 yards, including a 51-yarder.

Gavin McCusker completed half of his 30 pass attempts for 176 yards to lead Merrimack. Tyvon Edmonds Jr. carried 25 times for 85 yards and a touchdown.