Stats Perform Release 

FAIRFIELD, Conn. — Following Saturday's thrilling 32-14 second-half comeback against Howard, freshman running back Mitchell Summers and graduate kicker Matt Kling earned national recognition. Summers, who was recently named a New England Football Association Gold Helmet Award Winner, was named the Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week, while also earning Honorable Mention for FCS Offensive Player of the Week. At the same time, Kling received Honorable Mention for Special Teams.

Summers, a Greensboro, N.C. native, carried the ball 18 times for 243 yards and two touchdowns to power Sacred Heart (5-2) past Howard 32-14. He averaged 13.5 yards per carry in the Pioneers' fourth-highest single-game performance, and it included an 80-yard score on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. The true freshman has surpassed 100 rushing yards three times this season. 

Kling, a native of Canton, Ohio, played a pivotal role in the Pioneers' comeback, going 3-for-3 on extra points and knocking down three key field goals. He capped the first half with a career-long 49-yard field goal, trimming the deficit to 14–3 and swinging momentum in Sacred Heart's favor. In the second half, Kling added 19-yard and 25-yard field goals, helping the Pioneers take a lead they would hold for the remainder of the game.

The Pioneers return to action this week as they travel to Missoula, Mont., for a road showdown with the Montana Grizzlies on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 1:00 PM.