Pioneers Place Eight on All-NEC Teams
11/23/2022 3:36:00 PM | Football
Byrd and DiNota earn First-Team Honors
SOMERSET, N.J. – The Northeast Conference handed out its annual football awards on Wednesday. Sacred Heart University collected eight awards, led by First-Team selections for linebacker DeAndre Byrd and return specialist Rob DiNota.
Named Second-Team All-NEC was running back Malik Grant, linebacker Ernest Howard, cornerback Arsheen Jiles, offensive lineman Jonathan Mucciolo, defensive end Kevin Peprah, and defensive tackle Carson Primrose.
"I'm very proud of these eight young men for their hard work and dedication to our program this year," head coach Mark Nofri said. "It's no coincidence that half of the selections are from our team captains. They've set the example of what it takes to be a leader on and off the field."
This is the second award of Byrd's tenure, but his first First-Team selection. The Lawrenceville, Ga. native was tops on the team and 14th in the NEC at 5.9 tackles per game. The team's leading tackler the last four games, he had five tackles for a loss (TFL) the last four games – including three versus Saint Francis - to move him up to 11th in the NEC. Byrd had a season-high 10 stops at Morgan State.
DiNota was the top punt returner in the NEC, averaging 12.5 yards per return, which was four yards better than the next closest player. He was one return short of qualifying for the NCAA rankings where his return average would be ninth in the country. Against Dartmouth he had a career-long return of 47 yards that helped set up a SHU score. The last two games he added kickoff return duties and had 91 return yards versus LIU. A native of Thornwood, NY, he wrapped up his SHU career eighth in school history with 1,347 receiving yards.
For the second year in a row, Grant was one of the top running back in the league. He rated third in the league with 98.2 yards per game while his 1,070 yards is 17th in the FCS. The Bronx, NY native had seven 100-yard rushing games and crossed the goal line twice versus LIU to finish the season with an NEC-best 14 scores. Grant is fourth in school history with 2,598 rushing yards and seventh at 27 touchdowns.
The 2022 season was a breakout year for Howard. The junior linebacker was the team's top tackler in four of the first six games and was the NEC leader. The Absecon, N.J. native made a career-high 11 tackles and came through with a game-ending interception in overtime against Dartmouth to earn NEC Defensive Player of the Week. Unfortunately, his season was ended prematurely with an injury.
Also bursting onto the scene this season was Jiles. The junior made his presence known on the final play of the Central Connecticut State game when he came up with an interception at the goal line as the Blue Devils were looking to score. A native of Montclair, NJ, Jiles was fourth in the NEC for passes defended with his league-best eight pass break ups and two interceptions.
A lot of the offensive numbers put up by Grant as well as quarterback Marquez McCray – who led the NEC in passing – is the result of the work by Mucciolo and his fellow offensive linemen. A native of Mahopac, NY, he started all 11 games this season and 28-straight dating back to the spring of 2021. SHU ranked second in the NEC total offense (401.5 yards per game) after finishing second in passing (232.4 ypg) and rushing (169.2 ypg).
The focus of opposing offenses, Peprah produced strong numbers despite being double teamed most plays. He still finished the season with 33 tackles, rating him fifth on the team, including five tackles for a loss. The Woodbridge, Va. Native recorded 2.5 TFL in the win over CCSU, including a sack.
A full-time starter this season, Primrose was a standout on the defensive line. He led the team and was 10th in the NEC with 8.5 TFL. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native was also top 10 with four sacks. Primrose's best game came in his hometown as he recorded a career-high six tackles, with half coming on quarterback sacks, at Duquesne.
Sacred Heart finished the year 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the NEC. Nofri will have to replace DiNota and Peprah, but will have another talented squad in 2023.
Named Second-Team All-NEC was running back Malik Grant, linebacker Ernest Howard, cornerback Arsheen Jiles, offensive lineman Jonathan Mucciolo, defensive end Kevin Peprah, and defensive tackle Carson Primrose.
"I'm very proud of these eight young men for their hard work and dedication to our program this year," head coach Mark Nofri said. "It's no coincidence that half of the selections are from our team captains. They've set the example of what it takes to be a leader on and off the field."
This is the second award of Byrd's tenure, but his first First-Team selection. The Lawrenceville, Ga. native was tops on the team and 14th in the NEC at 5.9 tackles per game. The team's leading tackler the last four games, he had five tackles for a loss (TFL) the last four games – including three versus Saint Francis - to move him up to 11th in the NEC. Byrd had a season-high 10 stops at Morgan State.
DiNota was the top punt returner in the NEC, averaging 12.5 yards per return, which was four yards better than the next closest player. He was one return short of qualifying for the NCAA rankings where his return average would be ninth in the country. Against Dartmouth he had a career-long return of 47 yards that helped set up a SHU score. The last two games he added kickoff return duties and had 91 return yards versus LIU. A native of Thornwood, NY, he wrapped up his SHU career eighth in school history with 1,347 receiving yards.
For the second year in a row, Grant was one of the top running back in the league. He rated third in the league with 98.2 yards per game while his 1,070 yards is 17th in the FCS. The Bronx, NY native had seven 100-yard rushing games and crossed the goal line twice versus LIU to finish the season with an NEC-best 14 scores. Grant is fourth in school history with 2,598 rushing yards and seventh at 27 touchdowns.
The 2022 season was a breakout year for Howard. The junior linebacker was the team's top tackler in four of the first six games and was the NEC leader. The Absecon, N.J. native made a career-high 11 tackles and came through with a game-ending interception in overtime against Dartmouth to earn NEC Defensive Player of the Week. Unfortunately, his season was ended prematurely with an injury.
Also bursting onto the scene this season was Jiles. The junior made his presence known on the final play of the Central Connecticut State game when he came up with an interception at the goal line as the Blue Devils were looking to score. A native of Montclair, NJ, Jiles was fourth in the NEC for passes defended with his league-best eight pass break ups and two interceptions.
A lot of the offensive numbers put up by Grant as well as quarterback Marquez McCray – who led the NEC in passing – is the result of the work by Mucciolo and his fellow offensive linemen. A native of Mahopac, NY, he started all 11 games this season and 28-straight dating back to the spring of 2021. SHU ranked second in the NEC total offense (401.5 yards per game) after finishing second in passing (232.4 ypg) and rushing (169.2 ypg).
The focus of opposing offenses, Peprah produced strong numbers despite being double teamed most plays. He still finished the season with 33 tackles, rating him fifth on the team, including five tackles for a loss. The Woodbridge, Va. Native recorded 2.5 TFL in the win over CCSU, including a sack.
A full-time starter this season, Primrose was a standout on the defensive line. He led the team and was 10th in the NEC with 8.5 TFL. The Pittsburgh, Pa. native was also top 10 with four sacks. Primrose's best game came in his hometown as he recorded a career-high six tackles, with half coming on quarterback sacks, at Duquesne.
Sacred Heart finished the year 5-6 overall and 3-4 in the NEC. Nofri will have to replace DiNota and Peprah, but will have another talented squad in 2023.
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