SHU’s Comeback Falls Short 37-34 Versus LIU

Saturday, November 19

Fairfield, Conn.

12:00 PM

Sacred Heart University Department of Athletics

5-6 , 3-4

LIU

4-7 , 4-3

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

LIU

Sacred Heart

SHU’s Comeback Falls Short 37-34 Versus LIU

11/19/2022 6:04:00 PM | Football

Box Score

DiNota hauls in 146 yards.

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Sacred Heart University football team nearly pulled off a double-digit comeback in the last game of the season on Saturday against LIU. Unfortunately, the Pioneers could not come all the way back as they dropped a 37-34 Northeast Conference decision to the Sharks at Campus Field.

Records:
Sacred Heart: 5-6, 3-4 NEC
LIU: 4-7, 4-3 NEC

Statistical Leaders:
Malik Grant: 105 rushing yards, 2 TDs
Rob DiNota: 146 receiving yards, 1 TD
DeAndre Byrd: 8 tackles

Of Note:
Sacred Heart miscues in the third quarter allowed the Sharks to score 16 unanswered points. SHU turned the ball over twice inside its 10-yard line and allowed a safety as LIU took a 37-10 lead with 3:32 remaining in the third quarter.

The SHU comeback started with a 12-yard Malik Grant touchdown – his second score of the game - then Rob DiNota hauled in a 58-yard touchdown pass from Cade Pribula to close the gap to 37-24.

On the next LIU drive, Arsheen Jiles came through with an intercept that set up SHU at the LIU 22-yard line. Two plays later Pribula hooked up with Garrett Lynn for a 19-yard score. Following an LIU 3-and-out, SHU tacked on a Sam Renzi 30-yard field goal to cut the lead to 37-34, but the Pioneers could not get on the board with their final two drives.

Despite outgaining the visitors, 511-to-330, Sacred Heart was its own worst enemy. In addition to the two turnovers in its own end, the Pioneers fumbled at the LIU five-yard line in the first quarter then two drives later were stopped on 4^th-and-1 from the Sharks' one-yard line.

Turning in his sixth 100-yard rushing attempt in the last eight contests was Malik Grant as he finished the year with 1,065 yards. He added a pair of touchdowns to finish the season with an NEC-best 14 scores.

Pribula came on in the second half to throw for 220 yards and the two touchdowns. His main recipient was DiNota as he produced 146 yards on five catches. He wrapped up his SHU career eighth in school history with 1,347 receiving yards.

Head coach Mark Nofri will have to replace a number of starters in 2023, including DiNota and All-American defensive end Kevin Peprah.