LEWISBURG -- As long as quarterback Dominic Randolph is able to stand in the pocket, opposing defenses have little chance of stopping the Holy Cross offensive juggernaut.

Bucknell, with just 11 sacks in the first seven games, knew that as well as anyone.

Down by two touchdowns but with a glimmer of hope after scoring, the Bison forced a third-down incompletion and a likely punt at the Crusaders' 35-yard line late in the first quarter. Then the least expected thing happened.

The least penalized team in the nation was flagged for roughing the passer. Fifteen yards, a first down and a shift in momentum.

Seven plays later, Randolph hit favorite target Thomas Harrison with a back-breaking 16-yard touchdown pass -- Harrison's first catch of the game, but, perhaps, the most important.

After that, the rout was on. Randolph led the nation's third-ranked offense to touchdowns on its first five series and Holy Cross' first-team offense didn't punt in a 45-21 win Saturday afternoon at Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium.

Randolph completed 30 of 43 passes for 363 yards and three scores in just more than three quarters of play as Holy Cross, 6-2 overall, 3-0 in the Patriot League, is set for a visit to Fordham (4-0 PL) in a battle for first place.

"I know I'd be frustrated if another team threw the ball as much and you can't get to the quarterback," Holy Cross coach Tom Gilmore said. "I think (the late hit) was clear. You knew it was going to be called.

"Our drive stalled, but then we were able to go down and score."

The Crusaders racked up 590 yards of total offense, running 52 more plays than the Bison, and had the ball for 41 minutes, 37 seconds. The Holy Cross first-team offense averaged nearly eight yards per play.

"They are hitting on all cylinders," Bucknell coach Tim Landis said. "They are going to be very difficult to beat. They have the best offense I've seen this year."

Terrance Gass ran for 125 yards on just 12 carries and Jon Brock had a game-high eight catches for 99 yards for Holy Cross.

"One thing that has definitely improved is their running game," Landis added of the Crusaders. "Since early in the year, they've really gotten better. Against Dartmouth, they just lined up and ran it down their throats.

"It's a very formidable running game, so it's a double-edged sword. What do you try to stop?"

Holy Cross has scored on 13 of its last 15 possessions, dating back to last week's win at Lehigh.