Cuko helps Massachusetts defeat Holy Cross, 45-42

WORCESTER, Mass.—Armando Cuko kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired to lift the University of Massachusetts to a thrilling 45-42 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday.

Liam Coen completed four crucial passes on the game's final scoring drive for Massachusetts (2-0) from its own 40 -- the longest being a 16-yarder to Jeremy Horne that took the ball to the Holy Cross 25 with 19 seconds remaining. UMass took the clock down to 5 seconds. The Crusaders used two timeouts in an attempt to freeze Cuko, but he still went on to convert the winning field goal.

The defeat overshadowed spectacular offensive performances by upset-minded Holy Cross (0-1), which had led 28-14 late in the first half. Brett McDermott returned a kickoff 88 yards to give the Crusaders a 21-14 lead. UMass, however, rallied after Dominic Randolph completed an 8-yard scoring pass to Freddie Santana for a 28-14 lead.

With 1:02 left in the first half, Coen connected with Horne for a 19-yard scoring pass, the first of three consecutive touchdowns for the Minutemen.

UMass scored on its first two possessions of the second half. Tony Nelson scored on a 4-yard run top tie it, 28-28. Coen then found Joe Sanford for a 25-yard scoring pass for a 35-28 lead.

Penalties helped Holy Cross tie it midway through a fourth quarter. Randolph completed another short scoring pass to Santana for 9 yards to tie the game at 35-35.