1978 Holy Cross Crusaders football team

1978 Holy Cross Crusaders football
Conference	Independent
Record	7–4
Head coach	Neil Wheelwright (3rd season)
Captains	Craig Cerretani Bob Hurley
Home stadium	Fitton Field

1978 NCAA Division I-A independents football records

v t e	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 4 Penn State		–		–				11	–	1	–	0
North Texas State		–		–				9	–	2	–	0
East Carolina		–		–				9	–	3	–	0
Navy		–		–				9	–	3	–	0
No. 7 Notre Dame		–		–				9	–	3	–	0
Rutgers		–		–				9	–	3	–	0
Florida State		–		–				8	–	3	–	0
Tennessee State		–		–				8	–	3	–	0
Temple		–		–				7	–	3	–	1
Pittsburgh		–		–				8	–	4	–	0
Holy Cross		–		–				7	–	4	–	0
Louisville		–		–				7	–	4	–	0
UNLV		–		–				7	–	4	–	0
Southern Miss		–		–				7	–	4	–	0
Northeast Louisiana		–		–				6	–	4	–	1
Georgia Tech		–		–				7	–	5	–	0
Hawaii		–		–				6	–	5	–	0
Miami (FL)		–		–				6	–	5	–	0
South Carolina		–		–				5	–	5	–	1
William & Mary		–		–				5	–	5	–	1
Cincinnati		–		–				5	–	6	–	0
Villanova		–		–				5	–	6	–	0
Army		–		–				4	–	6	–	1
Memphis State		–		–				4	–	7	–	0
Tulane		–		–				4	–	7	–	0
Virginia Tech		–		–				4	–	7	–	0
Air Force		–		–				3	–	8	–	0
Colgate		–		–				3	–	8	–	0
Richmond		–		–				3	–	8	–	0
Syracuse		–		–				3	–	8	–	0
Illinois State		–		–				2	–	9	–	0
West Virginia		–		–				2	–	9	–	0
Boston College		–		–				0	–	11	–	0
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1978 Holy Cross Crusaders football team was an American football team that represented the College of the Holy Cross as an independent during the 1978 NCAA Division I-A football season. Neil Wheelwright returned for his third year as head coach. The team compiled a record of 7–4.^[1]

All home games were played at Fitton Field on the Holy Cross campus in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 9	New Hampshire	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 19–14	14,112	[2]
September 16	at Colgate	Andy Kerr Stadium Hamilton, NY	W 27–14	7,500	[3]
September 23	at Air Force	Falcon Stadium Colorado Springs, CO	W 35–18	21,447	[4]
September 30	Dartmouth	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 35–0	22,024	[5]
October 14	at Army	Michie Stadium West Point, NY	W 31–0	40,815	[6]
October 28	at Brown	Brown Stadium Providence, RI	L 25–31	15,000	[7]
November 4	at Boston University	Nickerson Field Boston, MA	L 7–15	8,760	[8]
November 11	UMass^	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 8–33	20,614	[9]
November 18	Rutgers	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 21–31	14,829	[10]
November 25	Connecticut	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 20–16	8,921	[11]
December 2	at Boston College	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA (rivalry)	W 30–29	28,109	[12]
Homecoming ^ Family Weekend

Statistical leaders

Statistical leaders for the 1978 Crusaders included:^[13]

• Rushing: Crocky Nangle, 394 yards and 3 touchdowns on 89 attempts
• Passing: Peter Colombo, 1,432 yards, 103 completions and 7 touchdowns on 212 attempts
• Receiving: Chuck Mullen, 587 yards and 6 touchdowns on 40 receptions
• Scoring: Brian Doherty, 42 points from 7 touchdowns
• Total offense: Peter Colombo, 1,517 yards (1,432 passing, 85 rushing)
• All-purpose yards: Larry Ewald, 684 yards (392 rushing, 156 returning, 136 receiving)
• Interceptions: Glenn Verrette, 7 interceptions for 164 yards

References

1. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. p. 123. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
2. Concannon, Joe (September 10, 1978). "Doherty Runs Spice HC 19-14 Win". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 54 – via Newspapers.com.
3. "Holy Cross Dents Raider 'D', 27-14". Press & Sun-Bulletin. Binghamton, N.Y. September 17, 1978. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
4. Mumpton, Roy (September 24, 1978). "HC Rips Air Force, 35-18". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 64 – via Newspapers.com.
5. Mumpton, Roy (October 1, 1978). "HC Crushes Dartmouth". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 50 – via Newspapers.com.
6. Craig, Jack (October 15, 1978). "Reborn Holy Cross Belts Army, 31-0". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 56 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Roberts, Ernie (October 29, 1978). "HC Hits a Pothole at Brown, 31-25". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 41 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Concannon, Joe (November 5, 1978). "Terriers Surprise with Freshman Sub". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 60 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Concannon, Joe (November 12, 1978). "UMass' Tailback Attack Slaps Holy Cross". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 50 – via Newspapers.com.
10. O'Brien, Ken (November 19, 1978). "Victorious Rutgers Gets Bowl Bid". The Home News Sunday. New Brunswick, N.J. p. A1 – via Newspapers.com.
11. Monahan, Bob (November 26, 1978). "Tough Defense Bails Out Holy Cross, 20-16". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 100 – via Newspapers.com.
12. Roberts, Ernie (December 3, 1978). "BC Stays Snakebit as HC Uncoils, 30-29". Boston Sunday Globe. Boston, Mass. p. 49 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. pp. 68–73. Retrieved June 15, 2020.