WORCESTER — Holy Cross quarterback Matt Sluka has the luxurious of a number of choices to work with within the 2023 season.
That’s a welcome aid for the can-do area basic who’s now not required to do all of it for the Crusaders’ offense. The 6-3, 216-pound senior from Locust Valley, N.Y., has the items in place to duplicate the high-volume offense from 2022.
Holy Cross went undefeated within the common season (11-0) for the third time in program historical past and reached the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs. Holy Cross is the preseason decide to repeat as Patriot League champions and ranked No. 6 within the FCS Coaches Poll.
“This year it is more about finding playmakers and getting them the ball and our offense is stacked,” mentioned Sluka, throughout the Crusaders’ media day on Thursday morning at Fitton Field.
“Being able to get anyone the ball in space and allow them to make plays is going to be the key to our offense. It is almost like there are not enough plays to get everyone the ball and it has been great so far.”
Sluka introduced the statistical definition of a twin risk quarterback to a unique place in 13 begins final season. The Crusaders’ offensive numbers have been off the charts on a workforce that compiled 5,842 yards of complete offense, 449.4 per recreation and 37.38 factors per recreation.
Sluka led all FCS quarterbacks in speeding final season with 1,234 yards and 11 touchdowns. From the pocket, Sluka accomplished 153-of-266 passes for 2489 yards and 26 touchdowns with 4 interceptions.
In the trendy faculty recreation, quarterbacks are actually measured and rated in phrases in complete yards. That is why Sluka is the Patriot League’s Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and a favourite to win the Walter Payton Award. But for Sluka to appreciate these particular person accolades would require a workforce effort.
“When I was younger it was more about me making plays and personally, I always wanted to go out there and do the best I could,” mentioned Sluka. “Before it was all about getting the primary down, getting the touchdowns, and continuously simply progressing the offense.
“I think now we just have so many playmakers I don’t have to try and do everything myself and that makes it lot easier. So now it is just about elevating and working on my craft and that makes my job a whole lot easier.”
Sluka’s go-to man on the flank is senior break up finish Jalen Coker, a returning All-Patriot League first workforce receiver. Coker led the workforce with 912 receiving yards, 11 touchdowns and reached the tip zone at the very least as soon as in eight video games.
Junior extensive receiver Justin Shorter was third on the workforce with 32 catches for 431 yards and 4 touchdowns. Senior tight finish Sean Morris, a two-time All-Patriot League choice, is Sluka’s large goal over the center.
The backfield can be manned by tailback Jordan Fuller, a second workforce All-Patriot League performer with a nostril for the tip zone. The 6-0, 231-pound ball provider from North Hampton, N.H., rushed for 536 yards and a team-high 13 touchdowns. Fuller is a succesful receiver on checkdowns and supplies Sluka with a reputable risk in play motion.
The Crusaders’ offense has been entrusted to first-year offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy, whose level of emphasis in coaching camp has been permitting Sluka make good use of the encompassing firepower.
“There are a lot (options) and I won’t mention all the names because there are too many and there are some young guys on the field stepping up,” mentioned Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney.
“Coach Kennedy has really helped develop him and get him to a point where he is really confident and where he understands how to get the ball out quickly and on time. If the first read is not there, he can progress all the way through or tuck the ball in and we all become spectators.”
Sluka’s abundance of playmakers on the talent positions is barely half the equation. Holy Cross has the very best offensive line within the Patriot League and presumably all of FCS. The Crusaders have three returning All-Patriot League First Team offensive linemen, seniors Luke Newman, Eric Schon and C.J. Hanson.
Holy Cross was ranked within the high 10 in FCS in scoring offense and speeding offense and Sluka is aware of it was the beefcakes contained in the trenches that made it occur.
“For them to come in and really just understand the foundation of our offense and the different checks that we need to get to is so important,” mentioned Sluka. “Having skilled guys again we will transfer that a lot quicker.
“It makes the installs that much easier and allows the offense to flow a little better and get better looks. Not having to work on the foundation as much helps us to be more focused on improving our craft and not have to learn it.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com