BY HERB SMITH
Times-Shamrock Writer

Holy Cross never wavered.

Not when its two-touchdown lead evaporated in the second half. Not when facing fourth down in a score-or-go-home situation in overtime.

Each time, the Crusaders found their resolve and eventually pulled out a long overdue home victory.

Cory Miller threw a touchdown in each overtime, and Holy Cross’ defensive line held on a two-point conversion in the second overtime as the Crusaders beat Susquehanna, 35-33, in a Division III game at Monsignor Crotti Field on Saturday. The win snapped a 20-game home losing streak for the Crusaders, who last won at home Oct. 22, 2010, against Montrose.

Holy Cross took advantage of a pair of Susquehanna turnovers to take a 13-0 lead in the first quarter.

Holy Cross couldn’t capitalize on another Susquehanna fumble at the end of the first quarter and the Crusaders were forced to punt. Susquehanna put together a seven-play, 75-yard drive and Kyle Donovan scored on an 8-yard run to cut the lead to 13-7.

After another Holy Cross punt, Susquehanna took over with 2:20 left in the first half. But Nik Boniello intercepted a pass and returned it to the Sabers 36. On the next play, Miller hit Kevin Kizis for a touchdown pass to give the Crusaders a 21-7 halftime lead.

Holy Cross didn’t get a first down on its first possession of the second half, and Susquehanna again put together a long drive. After going 66 yards in 10 plays, Donovan scored on a 2-yard sneak. The extra point failed and Susquehanna trailed, 21-13.

Susquehanna, which committed four turnovers and 11 penalties, finally created a turnover of its own at an important time. With less than six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Jarred Mills recovered a fumble at the Crusaders 22. Six plays later, Donovan scored on another 2-yard sneak, and Mills’ two-point conversion run tied the game at 21 with 2:26 left.

“I’m proud of them,” Susquehanna coach Kyle Cook said. “We were down, 21-7, and we’re a young team so they don’t know what it’s like to come back. We thought we were the better team. We knew we could come back in the second half.”

Susquehanna got the ball first in overtime and scored in two plays. Wes Richardson gave the Sabers the lead on a 5-yard run. But the extra point failed, and Susquehanna led, 27-21.

Three incompletions started Holy Cross’ overtime possession. On fourth-and-goal from the 10, Miller hit Bailey Simrell in the endzone to tie the game at 27.

Holy Cross’ extra point also failed, which forced a second overtime. On the Crusaders’ possession, Miller hit Kizis for a score on their first play.

On Susquehanna’s possession in the second overtime, the Sabers faced fourth down from the 2-yard-line. But Donovan scored his fourth touchdown on a sneak to trim the lead to 35-33. On the two-point conversion attempt, the Sabers went for the same sneak that had worked several times in the game, but this time, Holy Cross’ line held, stopping the run short and setting off a wild celebration.