Box Score NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Yale University opened its 147^th season of collegiate football with a home victory over Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon at the Yale Bowl, 23-10. The Bulldogs totaled 507 yards of offense, including 276 yards on the ground while the defense stood strong as it allowed just 11 first downs.
 
The Elis scored on the very first drive of the year, capped by a two-yard rush by junior Zane Dudek and never looked back. Holy Cross got a field goal in the second quarter to get on the board for a 6-3 mark at the half but the Yale offense answered in the second half with 17 points to seal the win.
 
Senior quarterback Kurt Rawlings was involved on the Bulldogs' second two touchdowns, throwing a 24-yard strike to classmate Caden Herring five minutes into the third quarter and added a rushing score of his own with just over nine minutes left to play. Rawlings finished with 232 yards through the air and totaled 58 on the ground.
 
"That was a gritty win," said head coach Tony Reno. "Gritty. We showed a lot today and our guys stepped up when they needed to. We ran the ball well, especially in the second half and Kurt was able to get things done with both his arm and his legs. We have a lot to work on but that is a gritty win to start the season."  
Six different Bulldogs toted the rock in the game as Yale averaged 5.9 yards per clip on the ground. Dudek led the charge with 96 rushing yards and added five catches for 25 yards.
 
The Elis also spread the wealth in the air as eight different receivers caught passes. Five boasted at least two receptions and six had at least 24 yards.
 
On defense, the Bulldogs held Holy Cross to only 237 yards of total offense and only 145 yards through the air. Yale forced the Crusaders into eight punts and a combined 2-of-14 on third and fourth downs.
 
Senior lineman Spencer Matthaei led way in the trenches with four tackles including three for loss and a sack. Defensive back Kyle Ellis was also extremely active with five tackles, four solo, and two pass breakups.
 
While there was just one score in each of the first three quarters, the scoring in the fourth came alive as Holy Cross scored its only touchdown on a 27-yard pass play from Connor Degenhardt to Tenio Ayeni.
 
Yale quickly answered to bring its lead back to 10 with Rawlings' touchdown on the next drive. The Elis then a 28-yard field goal by Sam Tuckerman with just under three minutes to go in regulation.
 
The Bulldogs then forced a turnover on downs and iced the game with a 54-yard run by Elliott McElwain.
 
The Elis will look to build off its win as they continue a three-game homestand to open the season and open Ivy League play against Cornell on Saturday, September 28 at 1 p.m., at the Yale Bowl.