What Is 2013 Holy Cross Crusaders football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Holy Cross Crusaders football team represented the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, during the 2013 NCAA Division I FCS season, finishing with a 6-5 overall record under head coach Tom Gilmore. They competed in the Patriot League, where they posted a 3-3 conference record. The season marked their first non-losing campaign since 2007.

Key Facts

The 2013 Holy Cross Crusaders finished with a 6-5 overall record.
They went 3-3 in the Patriot League, placing fourth in the conference.
Head coach Tom Gilmore led the team for the eighth consecutive season.
The Crusaders played their home games at Fitton Field in Worcester, MA.
They did not qualify for the FCS playoffs in 2013.

Overview

The 2013 Holy Cross Crusaders football team represented the College of the Holy Cross during the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) season. Competing as a member of the Patriot League, the team was led by head coach Tom Gilmore in his eighth year at the helm.

After several losing seasons, the 2013 campaign marked a modest improvement for the program, finishing with a winning record for the first time since 2007. Though they did not qualify for the FCS playoffs, the team showed signs of progress both offensively and defensively.

Overall record of 6-5: The Crusaders won more games than they lost for the first time in six seasons, a significant turnaround from their 2-9 record in 2012.
3-3 Patriot League mark: Their conference performance placed them fourth in the seven-team league, trailing champions Lehigh and runner-up Colgate.
Home games at Fitton Field: The team played all home contests at their historic 20,000-seat stadium in Worcester, Massachusetts, a venue they’ve used since 1908.
Tom Gilmore as head coach: Gilmore, who began his tenure in 2004, remained at the helm despite pressure following previous losing seasons.
No postseason appearance: Despite a winning record, Holy Cross did not receive an FCS playoff bid due to lack of marquee wins and a weak non-conference schedule.

How It Works

The 2013 season operated under standard NCAA FCS rules and Patriot League scheduling, featuring a mix of conference and non-conference opponents. The team’s structure followed typical collegiate football operations, including recruiting, training, and game-day execution.

Offensive scheme: The Crusaders ran a pro-style offense, emphasizing a balanced attack with quarterback Peter Pujals emerging as a key playmaker in his first year as starter.
Defensive alignment: Holy Cross utilized a 4-3 base defense, focusing on disciplined tackling and field position under defensive coordinator Mike Marin.
Non-conference opponents: The team faced challenging early-season matchups against FBS-level UConn and FCS power New Hampshire, both of which they lost.
Conference rotation: As part of the Patriot League’s scheduling model, Holy Cross played each of the six other teams once, with no permanent rivals exempted.
Roster composition: The squad included 85 scholarship players, typical for FCS programs, with a mix of returning starters and emerging underclassmen.
Game management: Each contest followed NCAA timing rules, with an average game duration of 3 hours and 12 minutes across the season’s 11 games.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2013 Holy Cross season can be evaluated against peer institutions and prior years to understand its performance context.

Team	Overall Record	Patriot League Record	Postseason Appearance	Head Coach
Holy Cross (2013)	6-5	3-3	No	Tom Gilmore
Lehigh (2013)	8-4	6-0	Yes (FCS Playoffs)	Andy Coen
Colgate (2013)	7-4	5-1	No	Dick Biddle
Holy Cross (2012)	2-9	1-5	No	Tom Gilmore
Yale (2013)	7-3	5-2 (Ivy)	No	Tony Reno

This comparison highlights Holy Cross’s improvement over the previous year and their mid-tier standing in the Patriot League. While they outperformed 2012, they fell short of league leaders like Lehigh, who went undefeated in conference play and earned a playoff berth. The data shows Holy Cross was competitive but lacked the consistency needed for postseason consideration.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a transitional year that laid groundwork for future competitiveness in the Patriot League. Though not a championship contender, the team demonstrated resilience and development under long-term coaching leadership.

Program momentum: The winning record signaled progress after years of underperformance, boosting morale among players and alumni.
Quarterback development: Peter Pujals’ emergence gave the team a reliable offensive leader for the next three seasons.
Recruiting impact: Improved results helped attract higher-caliber recruits in subsequent classes, particularly in the Northeast region.
Conference competitiveness: A 3-3 league record showed Holy Cross could compete with any team in the Patriot League on any given day.
Coaching stability: Tom Gilmore retained his position, allowing for continuity in systems and player development.
Foundation for future success: The 2013 season set the stage for stronger campaigns in 2014 and beyond, including a near-playoff finish in 2015.

While the 2013 Holy Cross Crusaders did not achieve postseason glory, their season represented a critical step in rebuilding a once-dominant FCS program. Their performance underscored the importance of incremental progress in collegiate athletics.