Harvard, Holy Cross both look to positives
It’s rare when both coaches come away from a scintillating last-play outcome with pretty much the same viewpoint.
On Friday, in the wake of Jake McIntyre’s game-winning 25yard field goal — his fourth of the game — in a dramatic 33-31 victory over plucky Holy Cross, Harvard coach Tim Murphy expressed relief his team had finally found away to finish.
Crusaders coach Bob Chesney said this nail-biter proved his team’s earlier upset against Yale was no fluke and the Crusaders can go toe-to-toe with anyone during the rebuilding process.
“I don’t think I could be any prouder of our kids. Our team really came together. It was a tremendously gritty win and it came against a good football team that really gave us all that we could handle,’’ said Murphy after Harvard improved to a stunning 316-6-1 all-time when scoring 30 or more points.
Harvard quarterback Tom Stewart, whose only prior start came in a loss to HC two years ago, directed the hosts to 540 total offensive yards, completing 20-of-36 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite the loss, HC used its share of razzle-dazzle as it erased a 16-point deficit by scoring 17 points in the fourth to take a brief, 31-30 lead. HC used a halfback option pass and a two-point conversion pass to the quarterback among its bag of tricks.
“It’s fantastic. It’s a lot of fun. We’re fortunate to have all these (plays) in there,’’ said Crusaders quarterback Geoff Wade of Needham after he was 13-of-19 for 149 yards.
Receiver Martin Dorsey (six receptions with two TDs) said: “Our defense gave us a chance all night. If we just keep playing hard, playing aggressive and if we stay together, we’ll become a better team.”
“These guys certainly battled and played hard for each other. You just wish it could have gone your way a little bit more,’’ said Chesney. “We ran the ball better. Special teams were better. Everything was better. It just wasn’t enough.”
Just can’t get Carter
Merrimack freshman Christian Carter had a breakout game, accounting for 542 of the Warriors’ 547 yards of total offense in a 3824 win over Stonehill.
Carter hit 26-of-36 passes for 430 yards with five scores and added 112 rushing yards.
Stonehill junior Brian Kearns Jr. rumbled for 235 yards, his second career rushing game with more than 200 yards . . . .
That’s the fact, Jack
Senior Jack Lavanchy of Walpole continues to shine for Bridgewater State and had 12 catches for 185 yards and a score in a 44-28 MASCAC win over UMass-Dartmouth. Bears junior Aidan Silva of Swansea pitched in with 112 rushing yards and two TDs.
The Commonwealth Coast Conference has tabbed Western New England junior quarterback Alec Coleman of Arlington as its Offensive Player of the Week after he erupted for 314 yards of total offense, including 273 in the air with four scores and 41 yards on the ground with another score as the Golden Bears beat Curry, 5621. Freshman Josh Salem of Dracut nabbed Defensive Rookie of the Week with eight tackles, a sack, a blocked kick and a pass break-up . ...
Coast Guard junior Michael Goldsworthy had three interceptions in a 15-0 win over Maine Maritime, which attempted to move from the option to an passminded attack . . . .
Maine sophomore Kenny Doak kicked a clutch 39-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Black Bears past No.16 Rhode Island, 38-36.