The Bison football team squared off at home against Patriot League champions the Holy Cross Crusaders last Saturday, Nov. 20. As the final game of the season for the Bison, the team honored the seniors before kickoff: DL Grayson Cherubino, RB Jared Cooper, CB Sterling Deary, CB Micah Dennis, QB Tarrin Earle, DL Luke Hamper, OL Michael Killiri, WR Renn Lints, WR Dominic Lyles, LB Cole McCabe, OL Noah Sansalone and OL Jacob Russ were recognized during the last regular season of their undergraduate career.

The Holy Cross Crusaders won the Patriot League for the third year in a row this season, going undefeated in the Patriot League for the third time in the school’s history and holding an overall record of 9-2. The Bison went down early to the Crusaders, letting up a touchdown in the eighth minute of the first quarter. By halftime, the Crusaders were up 31-0, having held the Bison to a mere 26 yards of offense and six first downs in the first half of the game. The Crusaders built their halftime lead by scoring two touchdowns in the first quarter and two more in the second, as well as scoring a 39-yard field goal in the second quarter.

The Bison scored a touchdown with a little more than two minutes remaining in the third quarter: Mason Muir ’25 scored his second career touchdown receiving a 23-yard pass from Nick Semptimphelter ’24. The ensuing two-point pass conversion failed. The Crusaders answered with another touchdown scored in the final quarter, bringing the final game score to 45-6 in favor of the away team.  

Blake Leake ’24 led the Bison in a number of tackles with a career-high 16, with John Schlendorf ’25 trailing close behind with his own personal best of 14.  Brent Jackson ’23 and Ben Allen ’23 both totaled 10 tackles each during the final game of the season. The Bison also doubled the team’s home sack total for the season by logging four in the final game of the season, bringing their season total to eight.  Alex Smith Jr. ’25 and Jack Barnes ’25 also both contributed to the Bison’s efforts on defense, as Smith broke up two passes (a career-high) and Barnes blocked a punt. 

On offense, Semptimphelter and Ethan Grady ’25 together completed a total of 13 passes (88 yards).  Muir had a career record of 50 yards on five catches, leading all Bison receivers. A lot of first-year students contributed this season, giving them crucial playing experience that will be valuable in the future, giving the Bison hope for next year’s season. 

Leake said the following regarding the season-closing game and the season overall: “It was a rough end to a rough season but we’re excited for the future. We had a lot of young guys get experience that will only help us in our upcoming seasons. We’re ready to get in the weight room and start preparing for next year.”