NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – In a thrilling match on a picturesque fall day in the Northeast, the Sacred Heart University football team emerged victorious over the Warriors of Merrimack College by a final score of 31-20. The Pioneers' second-half comeback, powered by a rushing touchdown from John Michalski, an interception turned touchdown from Quinn Hart, and a 26-yard field goal from Matt Kling, secured their title as the 2024 Yankee Conference Champions.
 
The Pioneers, a united force, were led offensively by Michalski, who finished with a team-high two touchdowns. Jalen Madison, a key player in the backfield, registered his fourth 100+ rushing yard performance, finishing with a season and career-high of 170 yards, with the longest run being the 73-yard touchdown run on the visitors' opening drive. 

Matt Kling finished the afternoon 4-for-4 in extra point attempts and recorded a field goal in the third quarter.
 
Defensively, Ryan Palmieri finished with a season and team-high 10 tackles to go along with an interception for a return of 14 yards. Tyreke Brown also shined on defense, tallying four tackles, 0.5-3 TFL/Yds, and 0.5-3 sack/yds, while Isaiah Bishop collected two tackles, 1.5-5 TFL/Yds, and 0.5-3 sack/yds.
 
Records:
Sacred Heart (5-6)
Merrimack (4-6)
 
Top Performers:
Offense – 
John Michalski: Passing (4-for-11, 58 yards, 2 interceptions) Rushing (9 attempts, 69 yards, 2 touchdowns)
Jalen Madison: 21 attempts | 170 yards | 1 touchdown
Payton Rhoades: 2 reception | 37 yards
 
Defense – 
Ryan Palmieri: 10 tackles | 0.5 TFL | 1 interception
Tyreke Brown: 4 tackles | 0.5/3 TFL-Yds | 0.5/3 Sack-Yds
Marques Mason: 4 tackles | 1.0/3 TFL-Yds
Quinn Hart: 3 tackles | 1 interception
Isaiah Bishop: 2 tackles | 1.5/5 TFL-Yds | 0.5/3 Sack-Yds
 
How it Happened:
Merrimack set the pace for the high-scoring game, taking an early lead less than 15 seconds into regulation behind a 99-yard kick return touchdown from Jermaine Corbett.  
 
The game was a back-and-forth battle early on with Sacred Heart responding to Merrimack's early lead with a determined spirit as Madison and Kling's efforts managed to tied the game at 7-7. John Michalski's quick handoff to Madison on the drive's first play, led to a 73-yard touchdown run. Kling's successful kick then evened the game with 14:24 to go in the first, setting the stage for a thrilling match.
 
Following the early scoring, both teams' defensive units held firm, preventing any further scoring until the 2:08 mark. The Warriors were forced to attempt a 31-yard field goal, which was successfully converted by Lliam Davis, giving the hosts a narrow three-point lead, 10-7.
 
The next drive for Sacred Heart was marked by a strategic move on fourth down—a fake punt attempt from Mason VonJess. VonJess's rush for 30 yards not only gave the Pioneers the first down but also showcased the team's tactical prowess. However, SHU's drive ended with Michalski's pass being intercepted by Merrimack's Deon Houston.
 
The Warriors' second drive of the quarter resulted in an 18-yard touchdown from Corbett, pushing their advantage to 10, 17-7. However, the Pioneers responded right back when Michalski took it upon himself to hold the ball and rush for 37 yards, which resulted in a touchdown and a Kling extra point, trimming the deficit to within three, 17-14, heading into halftime. 
 
The third quarter started with the Warriors pushing their lead to six, 20-14, but another rushing touchdown from Michalski and an extra point from Kling gave the visitors their first lead of the day, 21-20, with 5:19 remaining in the frame. Michalski's second tally of the game would stand as the final scoring attempt of the quarter for both teams.
 
Sacred Heart proved to be the more dominant team in the final quarter, outscoring the hosts 10-0 to secure the second-half comeback. On their first drive of the frame, the Warriors began finding their momentum and marching up the field quickly, but Ayden Pereira's pass found the hands of Hart, who intercepted the ball and returned it for the 52-yard touchdown, followed by a Kling extra point for the eight-point lead, 28-20, with 10:44 to go. 
 
From there, the Pioneers' defense forced Merrimack to punt on their next drive and gave the offense the spark needed to move upfield behind a combined 32 yards from Madison. Despite going for the field goal, the Pioneers tacked on an additional three points courtesy of a 26-yard attempt from Kling to put the game away, 31-20.   

Ryan Palmieri's interception on Merrimack's next drive was the nail in the coffin, solidifying the Pioneers' first road victory of 2024.