NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Yale's season opener came down to the final minute. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, it was Holy Cross that escaped with the victory.
Derek Ng booted a 47-yard field goal with 48 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift Holy Cross to a 20-17 victory over the Bulldogs on a sunny and warm afternoon at Yale Bowl.
Walter Reynolds' interception in the final seconds sealed the win for the Crusaders.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Bulldogs scored two touchdowns in a 2:10 span to grab the lead.
Jackson Hawes caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from
Griffin O'Connor, and then O'Connor hooked up with
JJ Howland on a 74-yard scoring play.
The Crusaders, who were playing their third game of the season, scored the next 17 points, including a Matthew Sluka 1-yard TD run late in the third quarter.
Jack Bosman's 47-yard field goal tied the score at 17 early in the fourth quarter.
O'Connor threw for 234 yards and the two touchdowns for the Bulldogs, while
Zane Dudek rushed 15 times for 69 yards. Howland finished with three catches for 102 yards.
Yale's defense recorded two sacks.
Rodney Thomas II had a team-high six solo tackles, while captain
John Dean was in on 11 tackles.
Holy Cross, the defending Patriot League champions, had beaten UConn in its season opener two weeks ago.
The Bulldogs are back at the Bowl next Saturday for their Ivy League opener vs. Cornell. Kickoff is slated for noon.
