Returning players to watch: John Chirico (FB) Week 2: Holy Cross

Sept. 27, Harvard Stadium, 1:30 p.m.

People don't forget miracles very easily. Neither do football coaches and the teams which have been victimized by miracles.

After the '85 Crimson gridders crucified their Worcestor counterparts by scoring 21 points in 41 seconds (after trailing 20-7 with just over three minutes remaining) to nail down a 28-20 triumph, the contest was immediately dubbed "The Miracle at The Cross."

But that game was only one in a series of disasters which struck Crusader football last year, the least of which was its 4-6-1 record.

In mid November, All-American running back Gill "Thrill" Fenerty was lost for the season with a mysterious head injury.

Then in early February, Crusader Coach Rick Carter, who had led the Cross to four consecutive winning seasons before the 1985 campaign, was found dead in his Massachusetts home. He had taken his own life.

This, then, is the background to Coach Mark Duffner's inaugural 1986 season. Duffner will likely count on veteran quarterback Jeff Wiley (76-for-157, 984 yards last year) to provide much of his offensive punch.

The linebacking corps looks solid, although the rest of the defense will have to be rebuilt.

Head Coach: Mark Duffner (1st year)

Last Year: 4-6-1

Last Year Versus Harvard: Harvard, 28-20

Series Versus Harvard: Harvard leads, 26-12-2

Captains: Steve Southard '87, Jerry McCabe '87, Frank Kutschke '87 and Pat Barry '87

Lettermen lost: 23