Postgame Press Conference

Game Highlights

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Led by 249 yards passing and four total touchdowns from quarterback RJ Noel, the Sacred Heart football team won its season opener at Campus Field Saturday night 43-19 over the Saint Anselm Hawks.

Noel completed 19 of 34 passes and also ran for two touchdowns. Tyler Dube had eight receptions 155 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, Kellen Sperduto led Sacred Heart with 13 tackles. Matt Ilalio had 11 tackles including a sack for a safety. Dylan Ackerson had 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. Sacred Heart outgained Saint Anselm (0-1) 402-289.

The Pioneers make their first trip ever to the state of Indiana next week, taking on Valparaiso on September 12 at 2 p.m.

First Quarter

- 8:53 to play – 7-0 SHU: Noel runs in for one-yard touchdown. Dube caught a 29-yard pass to get SHU to the one yardline.

- 0:58 to play – 10-0 SHU: Alec Finney kicks a 30-yard field goal to cap 15 play, 54-yard drive that took 6:23 off the clock. 

Second Quarter

- 9:53 to play – 10-3 SHU: Saint Anselm gets on the board with a 27-yard field goal by Shayne Grayson. 

- 8:12 to play – 12-3 SHU: After Jamie Ross pinned Saint Anselm inside the five yardline with a 64-yard punt, Ilalio sacks Saint Anselm quarterback Yianna Gavalas in the end zone for a safety.

- 2:33 to play – 18-3 SHU: Noel finds Moses Webb for a 40-yard touchdown. 

- 0:12 to play – 18-6 SHU: Another Saint Anselm field goal makes the score 18-6 before halftime. 

Third Quarter

- 10:24 to play – 18-13 SHU: The Hawks open the second half with a 13 play, 70-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown run by Elad Covaliu.

- 8:57 to play – 20-13 SHU: Sacred Heart gets its second safety of the night as a bad snap goes out of the end zone. 

- 8:16 to play – 27-13 SHU: The Pioneers follow up the safety with a 46-yard touchdown reception by Dube.

- 3:40 to play – 29-19 SHU: Saint Anselm scores on a 20 yard touchdown pass from Gavalas to Ryan Monette. Connor Caveney blocked the point-after attempt, which Khaamal Whitaker returned for two points.

Fourth Quarter

- 12:10 to play – 36-19 SHU: Noel's second rushing touchdown puts the Pioneers up by 17.

- 3:02 to play – 43-19 SHU: Nate Chavious scores on a two-yard touchdown rush to cap an 11-play, 78 yard drive.

Game Notes

- In his last three season openers, RJ Noel is 56-of-99 for 640 passing yard and five touchdowns while rushing for another 208 yards and three scores.

- Sacred Heart had three different two-point scoring plays (2 safeties and a defensive PAT)

- Matt Ilalio and Dylan Ackerson had career-highs in tackles and sacks.