By John Gearan ’65
Jubilation jumped all over Fitton Field on a recent sun-splashed September Saturday afternoon. Halleluiah—Holy Cross shocked Harvard in what folks who like to muddle sports and religion often refer to as a miracle finish.
Maybe it didn’t qualify as a Hail Mary pass. But it was at least a Glory Be. The pass by quarterback Dominic Randolph ’09 was hardly a Flutiesque heave toward the heavens, but rather a precise 40-yard spiral to the exact pylon where wideout Thomas Harrison ’08 turned right to the outside and gathered in the football ever so gracefully.
Exultation erupted. The Crusaders formed a celebratory circle around Coach Tom Gilmore and broke out into a musical na-na-na-na-na chant with lyrics composed by defensive coach Richard Rodgers: “From East to West, the ’Saders are the Best. From coast to coast, the mighty ’Saders are the Most…na,na,na,na nahhh”
On the perimeter, Casey Gough ’08—a tri-captain and projected first-team All-America cornerback—raised his helmet high as the homecoming crowd cheered.
The Ultimate Upperclassman, Gough is back for a fifth season. Moments earlier, he had batted down Harvard’s desperation midfield toss into the end zone as time expired.
Gough, however, seemed more somber than his younger mates.
“I was a little disappointed by how I played,’’ he would later admit. Gough was kicking himself for letting Matt Lagace beat him deep while scoring Harvard’s first TD on a 35-yard toss from Liam O’Hagan. He did not mention his tender right leg was banged up—an injury that caused him to miss the second half of the season’s opener against the University of Massachusetts.
“I was happy that our defense played tough when the game was on the line and gave the offense a chance to pull off that amazing comeback drive [77 yards in a minute flat],” he says. “That was our biggest win at Fitton in five seasons.’’
Gough did rejoice properly after his brief self-chastisement. He had heard more noise from a home crowd than ever before. He knew his senior teammates from 2006 were in the stands going wild. In the end, he hugged his mom, Julie, and his girlfriend, Cara Wahle ’07. And he watched teammates shed tears and cry, “We did it.”
Still, the stunning 31-28 victory over Harvard had a deeper undercurrent of meaning for him than just a mere moment of sheer joy.
For Casey Gough had sacrificed more than any other Crusader for this emotional payday.
Most kids don’t like staying after school. Casey Gough had volunteered for a six-month detention and even consulted his lawyers when it appeared his request to extend his senior year at Holy Cross would be denied.
Why? a sane person may well ask.
“I’ll have the rest of my life to get a job, to work,” reasons Gough. “I love it here at Holy Cross. Football doesn’t last forever. I don’t want to give it up.”
Football, mind you, is not a major at Holy Cross and, in most cases, not a steppingstone to a career in sports. That is why 20 of last season’s 21 seniors chose to graduate on time in May. All except Casey Gough.
Gough had a terrific senior year for the 7-4 Crusaders. The rugged cornerback was named first-team All-Patriot League, second team All-Northeast Region and honorable mention All-America. To boot, he emerged as the second best kickoff-return specialist (25.4-yard average) in Holy Cross history.
So why not run for daylight and get on with his life?
“We came within one point (29-28 final-game loss to Colgate) of the Patriot League championship and the NCAA playoffs. I have faith in this team’s desire and ability,” explains Gough, who forfeited his graduation procession for another shot at postseason play.
“I have some unfinished business. …,” he says.
This summer Gough took a job on campus, working for strength coach Jeff Oliver’s summer conditioning camp for the third straight year. He shared an apartment with three teammates, forming a tighter relationship with them and about 40 other Crusaders who worked out and hung out together. His commitment to a fifth season installed him as the Crusaders’ unquestioned leader.
The Right Moves continued >> |
