EASTON, Mass. – Despite battling back to within seven, 28-21, following an
Ethan Hilliman touchdown with 1:44 remaining in regulation, the Sacred Heart University football team was unable to secure the comeback, falling to the Stonehill Skyhawks by a final score of 35-21 on a rainy Saturday afternoon at W.B. Mason Stadium.
The Pioneers were led offensively by three different scorers –
John Michalski,
Jalen Madison, and Hilliman - while
Matt Kling went 3-for-3 in extra-point attempts. Defensively,
Myles Talley finished with a team and season-high nine tackles.
Records:
SHU (2-2)
Stonehill (1-2)
Top Performers:
Offense –
(QB)
John Michalski: Passing (16 completions, 143 yards, 1 TD) | Rushing (5 attempts, 10 yards, 1 TD)
(RB)
Jalen Madison: 20 attempts | 110 yards | 1 touchdown
(WR)
Ethan Hilliman: 3 receptions | 24 yards | 1 touchdown
(WR)
Kevin McGuire: 3 receptions | 41 yards
Defense –
Myles Talley: 9 tackles (6 solo, 3 assist)
Nate Chandler: 3 tackles (3 solo) | 1.0/2 TFL/Yds | 1.0/2 Sack/Yds
Caleb Dennis: 3 tackles (3 solo) | 1.0/5 TFL/Yds | 1.0/5 Sacks/Yds
How it Happened:
Stonehill controlled the opening quarter, outscoring the Pioneers 14-0, thanks to two touchdowns from Jarel Washington and Chase Miller. The Skyhawks also forced the visitors to punt on both of their offensive drives, holding them scoreless until the second quarter.
Sacred Heart finally got on the scoreboard as
Jalen Madison recorded a 23-yard rushing touchdown to cut the deficit in half, 14-7, with 8:57 left on the clock. The dynamic duo of Michalski and Madison and a defensive pass interference call on the Skyhawks helped lead the Pioneers down the field, resulting in Madison's second touchdown of the year.
However, Stonehill countered Madison's touchdown 18 seconds later with a 72-yard rushing touchdown from Washington, putting the hosts ahead 21-7. After forcing the Pioneers to punt on fourth down, the Skyhawks capitalized offensively again by tacking on an additional touchdown, giving the hosts the 28-7 advantage at the half.
The third quarter was all about the defense. Neither team was able to score until the 2:54 mark, when Michalski held onto the ball and ran into the endzone for the two-yard touchdown, notching his second of the year. This trimmed the Skyhawks' lead to within 14, 28-14.
With the clock ticking down, the Pioneers found their rhythm offensively, marching up the field from the SHU 27 and finding themselves in the red zone with 1:44 left on the clock. On a second and 10 at the Stonehill 17, Michalski found the hands of Hilliman, who then pushed through three defenders and found himself in the endzone, earning the visitors six points. From there, Kling secured the extra point and made it a one-possession game, 28-21.
Unfortunately, SHU could not stop Stonehill's Zavion Woodard from recording the 31-yard rushing touchdown that put the game out of reach for the visitors, 35-21.
Up Next:
The Pioneers are back in action next Saturday, September 28, against the University of Delaware. Kick-off is slated for 3:30 PM in Dover, DE.
