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BUSINESS TRIP TO D.C.
- Looking to bounce back following a home loss to Lafayette College this past Saturday, Sacred Heart continues non-conference action with a road showdown against Georgetown University.
- This is the second meeting between the two teams with SHU holding a 1-0 advantage over the Hoyas.
- The opening kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m in Washington, D.C. at Cooper Field. Fans can catch all the action live on EPSN+.
LAST TIME VS. GEORGETOWN
FINAL SCORE (10/23/10): Sacred Heart 33 | Georgetown 20 - RECAP
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- With SHU up 23-13 late in the third quarter, the Pioneers' special teams came up with a big play as Chris Nahat blocked a Hoya punt, scooped it up and returned it himself for the game-changing touchdown en route to the win.
- The Pioneer defense forced three turnovers as SHU was forced to dig out of an early 10-0 hole on Saturday.
- Jesper Fredriksson finished the day four-of-five on field goal attempts in the win, hitting from 39, 35, 23 and 27 yards to tie the SHU record for a game.
OFFENSIVE RECAP VS. LAFAYETTE
- Despite outscoring Lafayette in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers fell short to the visiting Leopards under the lights at Campus Field in their home opener.
- A 17-yard rushing touchdown from Jalen Madison and a Sam Renzi extra point brought the Pioneers to within six, 13-7, with 1:28 left in the second quarter.
- SHU's Ethan Hilliman made things interesting by making an impressive, 11-yard reception from a Cade Pribula throw to put the Pioneers ahead 14-13 with 11:41 left on the clock.
- Hilliman's touchdown was the home team's only lead of the game, and it did not last long.
- SHU mounted a late drive into the red zone that ran out of downs before they could grab the lead.
DEFENSIVE RECAP VS. LAFAYETTE
- DeAndre Byrd and Nick Foglia led the defensive attack with a combined 16 tackles (4 solo, 12 assisted).
- Foglia also recorded a team-high 1.5 sacks for a total loss of 12 yards.
- Carson Primrose finished with one sack, while Ernest Howard was credited for an assisted sack.
- Marques Mason tallied the Pioneers' lone interception of the game, while posting a 25-yard return.
- Ethan Rodriguez served as another defensive threat for the Pioneers forcing a fumble in the first quarter.
GRANT NAMED TO EAST-WEST SHRINE BOWL 1,000 LIST
Preseason awards for Malik Grant (Bronx, N.Y.) started with the running back being named to the 2023 East-West Shrine Bowl 1,000 list.
ALL-NEC PRESEASON
The Pioneers had four selections to the preseason team, one on the offensive and three on the defensive side of the ball.
WATCH OUT, HERE COMES GRANT
- Preseason accolades kept rolling in for Malik Grant as the fifth year running back was named Third Team All-American by Stats Perform and was added to the Walter Payton Award Preseason Watch List.
- Grant has earned preseason All-American honors by Stats Perform for the second year in a row, while being named to the Payton Watch List for the third time in his career.
OH CAPTAINS, MY CAPTAINS
Head football coach Mark Nofri named his captains for the 2023 season.
IN THE NEC PRESEASON POLL
- Sacred Heart was picked to finish third, along with Duquesne, in the eight-team league.
- Defending champion Saint Francis earned five first-place votes to be tabbed as the preseason favorite for 2023.
- Merrimack earned two first-place votes to be tabbed second, while the Dukes and Pioneers rounded out the top three.
COACH EDWARDS PROMOTED TO DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
- In December of 2022, Coach Nofri announced the promotion of Darin Edwards to defensive coordinator.
- The past two seasons the Pioneers have had one of the top passing defenses in the country, ranking in the top three of yards allowed. Sacred Heart has also been one of the best scoring defenses.
NOFRI ADDS THREE MEMBERS TO COACHING STAFF
Sacred Heart University head football coach Mark Nofri has added four members to his coaching staff. Joining the Pioneers is Nigel Madison, Ernesto Purnsley, Zuril Hendrick, and Kevin Woodring.
BRIEF LOOK AHEAD TO 2023
- The 2023 schedule features five home games and a full seven-game Northeast Conference slate.
- The new schedule is also highlighted by road games against intrastate foes Yale and UConn, the defending Ivy League champs and a FBS Bowl qualifier.
PIOS VS. DUQUESNE GAME ON ESPN+
- The home football game scheduled on Oct. 28 against the Dukes of Duquesne University will be aired on ESPN+.
- SHU has won five NEC titles over the last decade, while the Dukes have captured four conference crowns during that same time frame.
CHESTNUT CONTINUES TO MAKE A NAME FOR HIMSELF IN PROS
- Julius Chestnut signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans to provide depth to the running back rotation. He appeared in six games as a rookie in 2022, recording nine rushing attempts for 12 yards, three receptions for 41 yards while returning 10 kickoffs for 215 yards.
- Chestnut continues to make a strong case for himself once again through the preseason. Over three games, he recorded 29 carries for 174 yards and five receptions for 58 yards. He also tallied one rushing and two receiving touchdowns.
- As announced by the Titans this week, Chestnut claimed a spot on the 53-man roster for the upcoming 2023 season. The last Pioneers to play in the NFL was Jon Corto who signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills and played from 2007-11.
SOKOL, DIRENZO EARN NFL PRESEASON SPOTS
Fellow SHU alums Josh Sokol and J.D. DiRenzo also made appearances in the NFL preseason with the Minnesota Vikings and Carolina Panthers.
LAST SEASON RECAP
- Sacred Heart finished the 2022 season with a 5-6 overall record and a 3-4 mark in NEC action.
- The Pioneers won four of their first six games, but lost four of their final five contests, including an overtime setback against Duquesne and a three-point loss to LIU to wrap up the season.
FOLLOW LIVE
- Pioneer fans can find the latest news, scores, and highlights as well as up-to-the-minute breaking news or schedule changes at the Official Website of SHU Athletics.
- Follow the Pioneers at @SHU__FB on Twitter and @shufb_ on Instagram.
- All the Pioneers' home and NEC contests can be seen live at
- NECFrontRow.com
- Live Stats are also available at sacredheartpioneers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
ON DECK
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 16 for a home game against Wagner. The NEC opener is scheduled for a 1 p.m. kick-off at Campus Field.
