1970 Holy Cross Crusaders football team

The 1970 Holy Cross Crusaders football team was an American football team that represented the College of the Holy Cross as an independent during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. Bill Whitton returned for a second year as head coach. The team compiled a record of 0–10–1.[1]

1970 Holy Cross Crusaders football
Conference	Independent
1970 record	0–10–1
Head coach	Bill Whitton (2nd season)
Captains	Thomas F. Lamb Michael Jordan
Home stadium	Fitton Field

1970 NCAA University Division independents football records
	Conf							Overall
Team	W		L		T			W		L		T
No. 2 Notre Dame			–					10	–	1	–	0
Villanova			–					9	–	2	–	0
No. 16 Air Force			–					9	–	3	–	0
No. 13 Georgia Tech			–					9	–	3	–	0
Boston College			–					8	–	2	–	0
No. 19 Houston			–					8	–	3	–	0
West Virginia			–					8	–	3	–	0
No. 17 Tulane			–					8	–	4	–	0
No. 18 Penn State			–					7	–	3	–	0
West Texas State			–					7	–	3	–	0
Cincinnati			–					7	–	4	–	0
Florida State			–					7	–	4	–	1
Virginia Tech			–					5	–	6	–	0
Syracuse			–					6	–	4	–	0
Dayton			–					5	–	4	–	1
Pittsburgh			–					5	–	5	–	0
Rutgers			–					5	–	5	–	0
Utah State			–					5	–	5	–	0
Colgate			–					5	–	6	–	0
Southern Miss			–					5	–	6	–	0
New Mexico State			–					4	–	6	–	0
Miami (FL)			–					3	–	8	–	0
Northern Illinois			–					3	–	7	–	0
Marshall			–					3	–	6	–	0
Buffalo			–					2	–	9	–	0
Navy			–					2	–	9	–	0
Army			–					1	–	9	–	1
Xavier			–					1	–	9	–	0
Rankings from AP Poll

Reeling financially from the cancellation of all 1969 home games, Holy Cross opted to schedule an 11-game season for the first time in its history, adding a visit to West Point.[2] The no-win, 10-loss season was the worst result in Holy Cross history to that point.[3]

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

Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 12	at Army	Michie Stadium West Point, NY	L 0–26	31,666	[4]
September 19	Temple	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 13–23		[1]
October 3	Dartmouth	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 14–50	13,222	[5]
October 10	Colgate	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 13–21	10,111	[6]
October 17	at Boston University	Nickerson Field Boston, MA	L 23–33		[1]
October 24	at Villanova	Villanova Stadium Villanova, PA	L 14–34		[1]
October 31	at Buffalo	Rotary Field Buffalo, NY	L 0–16		[7]
November 7	Massachusetts ^	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	L 13–29		[1]
November 14	at Rutgers	Rutgers Stadium Piscataway, NJ	L 7–37		[1]
November 21	Connecticut	Fitton Field Worcester, MA	T 20–20	7,000	[8]
November 28	at Boston College	Alumni Stadium Chestnut Hill, MA (rivalry)	L 0–54	23,500	[3]
Homecoming ^ Family Weekend

Statistical leaders

Statistical leaders for the 1970 Crusaders included:[9]

• Rushing: Joe Wilson, 492 yards and 6 touchdowns on 102 attempts
• Passing: Jerry Lamb, 855 yards, 78 completions and 3 touchdowns on 204 attempts
• Receiving: Jack VonOhlen, 358 yards and 3 touchdowns on 30 receptions
• Scoring: Joe Wilson, 44 points from 7 touchdowns and 1 two-point conversion
• Total offense: Colin Clapton, 599 yards (604 passing, minus-5 rushing)
• All-purpose yards: Joe Wilson, 590 yards (492 rushing, 98 receiving)
• Interceptions: Mike Jordan, 4 interceptions for no yards

References

1. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. p. 123. Retrieved June 15, 2020.
2. Amdur, Neil (March 29, 1970). "11th Football Game Rooted in Money". The New York Times. p. S22.
3. The Associated Press (November 29, 1970). "Boston College Crushes Holy Cross, 54-0, as Harris Passes for Four Scores". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
4. White, Gordon S., Jr. (September 13, 1970). "Crusaders Beaten, 26-0". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. p. S1.
5. "Dartmouth Defeats Holy Cross as Simms Scores Twice, 50-14". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. October 4, 1970. p. S5.
6. "Colgate Eleven Stops Three Holy Cross Drives En Route to 21-13 Victory". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. United Press International. October 11, 1970. p. S5.
7. "Buffalo Defeats Holy Cross, 16-0". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. United Press International. November 1, 1970. p. S4.
8. "Connecticut Ties Holy Cross, 20-20". The New York Times. New York, N.Y. The Associated Press. November 22, 1970. p. S6.
9. "2019 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). Worcester, Mass.: College of the Holy Cross. pp. 68–73. Retrieved June 15, 2020.