MORAGA, Calif. (AP) _ Jeff Brown rushed for a career-high 148 yards on 34 carries and caught three passes for 95 yards as St. Mary's, Calif. barely pulled off a 28-26 victory over Holy Cross on Saturday.

St. Mary's (2-7) led 28-7 at the half as Gus Papanikolas threw a career-high three touchdown passes in the first two quarters.

But Brian Hall ran for a 6-yard score in the third, then threw an 85-yard pass to David Kasouf with 5:08 left to cut the Gael lead to 28-20.

The Crusaders (2-6) blocked a St. Mary's punt and Tavares Brewington returned it 9 yards for the score with 2:54 remaining. But St. Mary's blocked the Crusaders' two-point conversion attempt to hold on to the victory.

Papanikolas was 11-of-17 for 185 yards and rushed for 24 yards on six carries. Hall was 35-23 with one interception for 233 yards and two touchdowns.