WORCESTER, Mass. - The Holy Cross football team is back on the practice field preparing for a modified spring season. 

The defending Patriot League champions are scheduled to play at least four games against league rivals. 

The Crusaders return a lot of talent from the 2019 team and while some of the players practiced together in the fall and winter, the whole team has only been together a couple of weeks. 

Athletic director Marcus Blossom says their goals right now go beyond just winning games. 

Blossom said, “I hope they can use these four games to learn a new offensive system, grow as a team, stay healthy. Primarily stay healthy for what we think will be a very competitive fall football season when we have a full schedule. But they are the defending champions and we are although the goal is to play and to stay healthy..Once we get on that field, we're going to try to win every game."

Holy Cross' first game is scheduled for Saturday, March 13 at Lehigh. The Crusaders’ first home game a week later against Fordham.

The winner of the Patriot League championship this spring qualifies for the FCS playoffs. 

As of right now, fans won't be allowed in the stands at Fitton Field to start the season.