Randolph a tough first test for Crimson
Holy Cross quarterback Dominic Randolph ices down his right shoulder after every game. The first Saturday of this month was no exception.
That afternoon on the McGuirk Stadium turf in Amherst, he tossed a school-record 62 passes (with 32 completions) in the Crusaders' 40-30 season-opening loss against the third-ranked University of Massachusetts.
"[UMass] was very fast and quick, they brought blitzes left and right, and gave us some very good looks, and it got our line prepared," said the sturdy 6-foot-3-inch, 211-pound junior. "Now, I think that we can keep up with any team that we play."
Enter untested Harvard, which opens its season at Fitton Field today, facing a Crusader squad that has had two weeks to prepare.
"Holy Cross is a big challenge . . . they have improved tremendously," said Harvard coach Tim Murphy.
Murphy is impressed with a Crusader attack that churned out 93 offensive plays against UMass, "arguably one of the best defenses in the country."
On film, Murphy sees a quarterback who "hardly ever seems to make a mistake," he said, pointing to a 30-of-39 performance (for 329 yards and four touchdowns) last year against Brown. "Statistically, he's as good as anybody in the East. It's tough to pressure him, he gets the ball away, and he always seems to find his natural hot route" when he's in trouble.
In 10 career starts, Randolph has completed nearly 60 percent of his attempts (216 of 361) for 2,533 yards and 21 touchdowns, with just six interceptions.
"The amazing thing is his poise and presence," said Holy Cross fourth-year coach Tom Gilmore, who is seeking his first win against Harvard as a head coach. "He completely understands how we're going to attack a defense. He has great physical tools and he's very smart."
Senior wideout Ryan Maher, who led the Patriot League in receiving a year ago with 69 catches, hauled in 11 more vs. the Minutemen, one of seven Crusaders to hook up with Randolph.
"It's a quarterback's dream," said Randolph, citing the team's talent and depth at receiver. "I threw to eight or nine receivers and our backs do a good job out in the flats getting open, too."
And his gaudy numbers vs. UMass should have been better: Holy Cross dropped 12 passes.
He will undoubtedly challenge a Crimson secondary "that is the most experienced and talented we've ever had," said Murphy, now in his 14th year.
Junior corner Andrew Berry is a preseason All-American, and seniors Steve Williams (corner) and Doug Hewlett (safety) are former All-Ivy selections.
"Their secondary is outstanding, but they're strong across the board," said Gilmore, mentioning Crimson captain Brad Bagdis, a former star at nearby Wachusett Regional in Holden, who is a force at defensive end.
Murphy said, "I'm not sure what kind of team we have." Offensively, there are a few question marks. "What's his name graduated," he said jokingly of the Ivy League's all-time leading rusher, Clifton Dawson, "a once every 20-year guy" who is now a member of the Cincinnati Bengals.
In two other Ivy League-Patriot League matchups, Dartmouth kicks off its season against Colgate (1-1), and Yale journeys to Georgetown (0-2) . . . UMass (2-0) shoots for its 10th straight win in Amherst, hosting Colonial Athletic Association foe and 23d-ranked Towson (2-0) . . . New Hampshire (0-1) and Gold Helmet winner Ricky Santos travel to Marshall . . . Northeastern (0-2) hosts Northwestern State (2-0) at Parsons Field. After last week's 49-14 loss to Richmond, and in preparation for a Demon attack that averages 36 points, NU coach Rocky Hager has made two defensive changes, inserting redshirt freshman Nate Thellen (strong safety) and junior Cornelius Bunch (inside linebacker) into the starting lineup . . . In the Northeast-10, Saint Anselm will attempt to halt a 20-game losing streak, hosting Assumption . . . Curry goes for a 3-0 start in the New England Football Conference, playing at Westfield State (1-0).
Roundup
In the Northeast-10, Bentley recorded its highest point total in 13 games and racked up 473 yards in total offense in a blowout of American International College, 48-23, last night in Waltham. Quarterback John White threw for two touchdowns, rushed for another, and was one of six Falcons with a touchdown . . . Lindsey Gamble scored on a 12-yard run in overtime to lift Bryant over Merrimack, 37-34, in North Andover . . . J.J. Niamkey caught a 67-yard touchdown pass from Cruz Parsons 23 seconds into the game and Stonehill shut out Pace, 23-0, in Easton.