1965 Holy Cross Crusaders football team

The 1965 Holy Cross Crusaders football team was an American football team that represented the College of the Holy Cross as an independent during the 1965 NCAA University Division football season. First-year head coach Mel Massucco led the team to a record of 2–7–1.[1]

1965 Holy Cross Crusaders football
Conference	Independent
1965 record	2–7–1
Head coach	Mel Massucco (1st season)
Captains	Joseph T. Lilly Earl Kirmser
Home stadium	Fitton Field

1965 NCAA University Division independents football records
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
New Mexico State			–					8	–	2	–	0
Utah State			–					8	–	2	–	0
Xavier			–					8	–	2	–	0
Texas Western			–					8	–	3	–	0
No. 9 Notre Dame			–					7	–	2	–	1
Southern Miss			–					7	–	2	–	0
Syracuse			–					7	–	3	–	0
VPI			–					7	–	3	–	0
Georgia Tech			–					7	–	3	–	1
Boston College			–					6	–	4	–	0
West Texas State			–					6	–	4	–	0
Boston University			–					5	–	3	–	1
Buffalo			–					5	–	3	–	2
Miami (FL)			–					5	–	4	–	1
Penn State			–					5	–	5	–	0
Memphis State			–					5	–	5	–	0
San Jose State			–					5	–	5	–	0
Navy			–					4	–	4	–	2
Colgate			–					4	–	5	–	1
Florida State			–					4	–	5	–	1
Army			–					4	–	5	–	1
Houston			–					4	–	5	–	1
Colorado State			–					4	–	6	–	0
Rutgers			–					3	–	6	–	0
Air Force			–					3	–	6	–	1
Pittsburgh			–					3	–	7	–	0
Dayton			–					3	–	7	–	0
Holy Cross			–					2	–	7	–	1
Villanova			–					1	–	8	–	0
Rankings from AP Poll

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

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 25	at Harvard	Harvard Stadium Boston, MA	L 7–17		[1]
October 2	Dartmouth	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 6–27		[1]
October 9	at Colgate	Colgate Athletic Field Hamilton, NY	L 3–7		[1]
October 16	Boston University	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	T 7–7	12,000	[2]
October 23	at Syracuse	Archbold Stadium Syracuse, NY	L 6–32	15,000	[3]
October 30	Buffalo ^	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	W 20–8		[1]
November 6	at Massachusetts	Alumni Stadium Hadley, MA	L 0–27		[1]
November 14	at Rutgers	Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ	L 0–14	9,000	[4]
November 20	at Connecticut	Memorial Stadium Storrs, CT	W 22–0		[1]
November 27	Boston College	Fitton Field Worcester, MA (rivalry)	L 0–35	23,000	[5]
Homecoming ^ Family Weekend

Statistical leaders

Statistical leaders for the 1965 Crusaders included:[6]

• Rushing: Earl Kirmser, 303 yards and 2 touchdowns on 93 attempts
• Passing: Tom Tyler, 357 yards, 29 completions and 1 touchdown on 70 attempts
• Receiving: Pete Kimener, 221 yards on 21 receptions
• Scoring: Mike Kaminski, 15 points from 6 PATs and 3 field goals
• Total offense: Tom Tyler, 304 yards (357 passing, minus-53 rushing)
• All-purpose yards: Brian Flatley, 542 yards (314 returning, 128 receiving, 100 rushing)

References

1. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. p. 122. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
2. United Press International (October 17, 1965). "Holy Cross Tied by Boston U., 7-7". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S2.
3. The Associated Press (October 24, 1965). "Syracuse Crushes Holy Cross As Little Gets 3 Scores, 32-6". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S5.
4. "Rutgers Defeats Holy Cross, 14-0". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. Associated Press. November 14, 1965. p. S5.
5. Strauss, Michael (November 28, 1965). "Boston College Trounces Holy Cross, 35-0, as Erwin Scores 3 Touchdowns". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S3.
6. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. p. 68-71. Retrieved June 15, 2020.