Box Score WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Sacred Heart University football team dropped to 3-4 on the season following Saturday's tough road loss to the Bison of Howard University by a final score of 21-14 at Greene Stadium.

The Pioneers, showing their resilience, headed into the halftime break with a one-possession lead, 14-7, behind a pair of rushing touchdowns. However, Howard surged back in the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points over the final two quarters to secure the home win. 

With the loss, SHU drops to 3-4 on the season, while the Bison improve to 3-3.

Records:
Sacred Heart (3-4)
Howard (3-3)

Top Performers:
Offense – 
John Michalski: Passing (7-4, 82 yards) | Rushing (8 attempts, 26 yards)
Cruz Herrera: Passing (4-6, 17 yards) | Rushing (6 attempts, 25 yards)
Xavier Leigh: 5 attempts | 76 yards | 1 touchdown
Jalen Madison: 18 attempts | 65 yards | 1 touchdown
Payton Rhoades: 4 receptions | 25 yards

Defense – 
Tyreke Brown: 10 tackles | 0.5-2 TFL-Yds
Myles Talley: 10 tackles
Marques Mason: 8 tackles | 1 interception | 1 pass breakup
Kenny Selby: 5 tackles | 0.5-1 TFL-Yds | 1 pass breakup

How it Happened:
In the first quarter, the Pioneers and Bison were locked in a defensive battle. Both were held scoreless and forced to punt on each of their possessions. 

Howard's defensive unit struck first by forcing a SHU fumble on the first play of the Pioneers' second possession. On the next drive, the Pioneers' defense answered right back in the end zone when Marques Mason intercepted Ja'Shawn Scroggins's pass to his wide receiver.

The Pioneers' defense didn't stop there. The visitors stopped the Bison on their next two possessions, which ignited the offensive unit on the first drive of the second quarter. 

The Pioneers capitalized on a roughing of the passer call, moving them from the SHU18 to the SHU33 before Michalski handed the ball off to Leigh. The Troy, N.Y. native then rushed up the middle for the 67-yard touchdown, marking a solid start for the team. Leigh's touchdown was his fourth of the season, and he now leads the team in rushing touchdowns. 

SHU's 7-0 lead did not last long because the Bison marched up the field after starting on the HOW39, tallying four first downs before Jarrett Hunter recorded the rushing touchdown, evening the score 7-7.

The Pioneers' offense went right back to work with 7:54 remaining in the half, putting together a 10-play, 68-yard drive, which resulted in a two-yard rushing touchdown from Madison to close out the half. Madison notched his third of the season and 11th of his career. 

Howard controlled the narrative of the game in the third and fourth quarters, scoring a touchdown in each frame and holding the Pioneers scoreless for the remainder of the game.

The Pioneers' final attempt to even the score came on a third and nine when Michalski threw the ball into the air before getting hit by a Bison defenseman, who found the hands of Elijah Ford, who made a diving catch in the endzone. The determination and effort in this play were evident, but unfortunately, the touchdown was called an incomplete pass. 

Up Next:
The Pioneers hit the road once again, this time to Easton, Mass., for a Saturday showdown with the Lafayette Leopards.