QB Pesansky to Holy Cross

It was a day of celebration in the Tiger Palace, as the most prolific touchdown passer in Jesuit football history joined a Division I program. Tigers quarterback Joe Pesansky ’21 signed his National Letter of Intent on Thursday (Dec. 17) before a gathering of family, friends, teammates, and coaches, officially becoming a member the Holy Cross football program.

After completing the last of his final exams for the first semester, supporters joined Pesansky in the Tiger Palace for the mid-day ceremony. Athletic director Terry Rupp '84 and school president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. spoke about the impact Pesansky made on Jesuit football with his leadership before Pesansky put pen to paper to make it official. (Pesansky is pictured on the homepage with [L-R] assistant coach Derek Bachman, offensive coordinator Joe Gerena, and head coach Matt Thompson.)

Pesansky had earned the offer from Holy Cross during a record-breaking 2020 season that saw him lead the Tigers to a 14-1 record and State Semifinal appearance. He passed for a school record 35 touchdowns (rushed for 6 more) with only 5 interceptions and accumulated 2,930 passing yards, which also is believed to be a school record.

Pesansky becomes the first Jesuit football player to sign with Holy Cross, a Jesuit school in Worcester, Mass., since offensive lineman Jackson Dennis ’15, who played for the Arizona Cardinals this fall in the preseason. The Crusaders play in the Patriot League and last reached the FCS playoffs in 2019 after winning the Patriot League title that season.