WORCESTER, Mass. - The drive for a record fourth straight Patriot League title is officially underway on College Hill.

Thursday afternoon the Holy Cross Crusaders football team held their first official practice of the summer. The team returns a lot of talent on both offense and their nationally-ranked defense.

After a season where the Crusaders won the school's first ever NCAA playoff game, it seems coach Bob Chesney and the Crusaders are hungry to take the next step towards national prominence.

"The past week has been almost tortuous in a way” said Chesney. “You're just preparing, you're trying to get ready, you're trying to get ready, and in the end you just need to go. You need these kids back here and we just got to be able to go. So all the planning, all the prep, and all the work we've put in all summer long and here we are. So as a family, we're all back and it's pretty exciting."

Holy Cross opens their season Friday, September 2 on the road at Merrimack College.