1946 Holy Cross Crusaders football team

1946 Holy Cross Crusaders football
Conference	Independent
Record	5–4
Head coach	Ox DaGrosa (2nd season)
Home stadium	Fitton Field

1946 Eastern major college football independents records

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 2 Army			–					9	–	0	–	1
Rutgers			–					7	–	2	–	0
Penn State			–					6	–	2	–	0
Boston College			–					6	–	3	–	0
Holy Cross			–					6	–	4	–	0
NYU			–					5	–	3	–	0
Villanova			–					6	–	4	–	0
Colgate			–					4	–	4	–	0
Syracuse			–					4	–	5	–	0
Pittsburgh			–					3	–	5	–	1
Temple			–					2	–	4	–	2
Merchant Marine			–					4	–	7	–	0
Bucknell			–					3	–	6	–	0
Lafayette			–					2	–	7	–	0
Fordham			–					0	–	7	–	0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1946 Holy Cross Crusaders football team was an American football team that represented the College of the Holy Cross as an independent during the 1946 college football season. In its second year under head coach Ox DaGrosa, the team compiled a 5–4 record.^[1]

The Crusaders led the nation in passing defense, giving up only 53.7 passing yards per game.^[2] They also ranked thirteenth in total defense, allowing 178.8 yards per game.^[3]

Holy Cross was ranked at No. 55 in the final Litkenhous Difference by Score System rankings for 1946.^[4]

The team played its home games at Fitton Field in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 28	Dartmouth	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 0–3	24,000	[5]
October 5	Detroit	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 16–14	20,000	[6]
October 12	Villanova	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 13–14	20,000	[7]
October 19	Syracuse	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 12–21	20,000	[8]
October 26	at Harvard	Harvard Stadium Boston, MA	L 6–13	40,000	[9]
November 2	Brown	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 21–19	15,000	[10]
November 9	Colgate	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 21–6	15,000	[11]
November 23	at Temple	Temple Stadium Philadelphia, PA	W 12–7	10,000	[12]
November 30	at Boston College	Braves Field Boston, MA	W 13–6	43,081	[13]

Rankings

See also: 1946 NCAA football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked

	Week
Poll	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Final
AP	—	—	—	—	—	19	—	—	—

After the season

Main article: 1947 NFL draft

The 1947 NFL Draft was held on December 16, 1946. The following Crusaders were selected.^[14]

Round	Pick	Player	Position	NFL Club
12	97	Wally Roberts	End	Boston Yanks
15	127	Frank Parker	Tackle	Boston Yanks
18	158	Bill Cregar	Guard	Pittsburgh Steelers
29	273	John Comer	Back	Los Angeles Rams

References

1. "2014 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). College of the Holy Cross. p. 122. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
2. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 75.
3. W.J. Bingham, ed. (1947). The Official National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Guide including the Official Rules 1947. A.S. Barnes and Company. p. 73.
4. Dr. E. E. Litkenhous (December 15, 1946). "Rice Rated Fifth Best, Tennessee 12th by Lit". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Richardson, William D. (September 29, 1946). "Dartmouth Trips Holy Cross by 3-0". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
6. Edgar, W.W. (October 6, 1946). "Last-Second Field Goal Sends U-D to Defeat; Holy Cross Wins, 16-14". The Detroit Free Press. Detroit, Mich. sect. 4, p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Berry, Mort (October 13, 1946). "Villanova Wins, 14-13". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pa. p. S1 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Fitzgerald, Tom (October 20, 1946). "Syracuse's Air Offensive Overhauls Holy Cross, 21-12". The Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
9. King, Bill (October 27, 1946). "Undefeated Harvard Beats Holy Cross Eleven, 13 to 6". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, N.Y. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Holy Cross Rally Beats Brown, 21-19". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. November 3, 1946. p. S2.
11. Fitzgerald, Tom (November 10, 1946). "Crusaders Intercept Colgate Aerial, Hold Early Lead to Triumph, 21-6". The Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 24 – via Newspapers.com.
12. Keane, Clif (November 24, 1946). "Crusaders Squelch Temple, 12-7". The Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 23 – via Newspapers.com.
13. Nason, Jerry (December 1, 1946). "Sheridan Rides Again; H.C. Upsets B.C., 13 to 6". The Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "1947 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 29, 2020.