'Saders rally; Randolph throws for 414 yards in comeback.

• Position: SPORTS

Byline: Jennifer Toland

WORCESTER - On his knees late in the second quarter after a failed fourth-down conversion and another fruitless trip deep inside Georgetown territory, Holy Cross quarterback Dominic Randolph slammed his hand on the ground. It was a rare display by the fifth-year senior, but it was that kind of first half for the Crusaders.

"It was frustrating," Randolph said. "Being close and coming up short is frustrating, but we kept our poise, and everyone just kept playing and put (the frustration) behind us."

Randolph rallied Holy Cross in the second half, the HC defense shut out Georgetown for three quarters, and the Crusaders won their opener, 20-7, on a splendid day at Fitton Field.

Randolph was 36 of 56 for 414 yards, surpassed 10,000 for his career and became Holy Cross' and the Patriot League's all-time leader in passing yards. He also broke the PL record for most total offense in a career.

"He's just unbelievable," Holy Cross senior wide receiver Bill Edger said. "I've never seen a player like him. I can't say enough about him."

Randolph entered the game with 9,679 passing yards, 19 behind Jeff Wiley, who played for HC from 1985-88. Lafayette's Marko Glavic had held the PL marks for career passing yards (9,819) and total offense (10,064).

It was the sixth time in Randolph's career he went over 400 yards in a game. He completed fourth-quarter touchdown passes to tight end Paul Nielsen and Edger. Georgetown defensive back Rick Rattay intercepted Randolph twice.

Holy Cross has won 10 straight against the Hoyas.

Georgetown opened the game with an 11-play scoring drive that finished with James Brady's 38-yard touchdown pass to Keerome Lawrence.

The Crusaders had their chances in the first half, but two visits to the red zone yielded just three points.

Perry Townsend's blocked punt set up HC at the Georgetown 15 late in the first quarter, but after getting as far as the 3-yard line, the Crusaders couldn't find the end zone and settled for a Rob Dornfried 22-yard field goal.

On the first play of the second quarter, Holy Cross senior linebacker Sean Lamkin intercepted Brady, but HC failed to take advantage. Jayah Kaisamba broke up Randolph's pass for Edger in the end zone and after a holding penalty, the Crusaders were forced to punt.

Later in the second, Randolph completed passes to Freddie Santana, Nick Cole and Matt Bellomo to push HC inside the Georgetown 10. On third-and-goal from the 6, Randolph's pass went off Edger's...