THE FINAL BATTLE ON CAMPUS FIELD

• It's not just any Saturday—it's Senior Day, Yankee Conference Championship Day, and the final home appearance of the season for the Sacred Heart University football team. 
• The Pioneers will host the Merrimack Warriors on Campus Field this Saturday, Nov. 15, in the annual battle for the coveted Yankee Conference Championship. 
• Last season, Sacred Heart took home the title of the 2024 Yankee Conference Champions after defeating Merrimack on its home turf by a final score of 31-20. 
• Before kickoff, Sacred Heart will recognize its 21-member senior class, a group whose leadership and resilience have propelled the program through championship runs and rivalry victories.
• The Pioneers enter the matchup undefeated at home with a 5-0 record, marking their best home performance since 2021 when they finished 6-0 on Campus Field. 
• Saturday's contest will be the eighth meeting between the two programs, with Sacred Heart holding a narrow 4-3 series edge after snapping a two-game skid against Merrimack last season. 
• The Warriors come in at 3-7 overall and on a four-game losing streak, most recently dropping a 41-31 decision to New Haven. 
• Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ with Randy Brochu and Freddie Coleman on the call.

LAST TIME VS. WARRIORS
Final Score: Sacred Heart 31 | Merrimack 20
Brief Recap: Merrimack opened the game with a 99-yard kickoff return touchdown, but Sacred Heart quickly answered as Jalen Madison's 73-yard run and Matt Kling's extra point tied it early in a back-and-forth first half. Quarterback John Michalski's two rushing touchdowns helped the Pioneers overcome multiple Merrimack leads before Quinn Hart's 52-yard interception return in the fourth quarter swung the momentum for good. A late field goal from Kling and a closing interception by Ryan Palmieri sealed the 31-20 comeback victory and Sacred Heart's first road win of 2024.
Brief Stats: Michalski led the offense with 69 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while adding 58 yards through the air despite two interceptions. Madison powered the ground game with 170 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries, and Payton Rhoades led the receiving corps with 37 yards on two catches. Defensively, R. Palmieri paced the unit with 10 tackles and an interception, while Hart added a pick-six and Isaiah Bishop notched 1.5 tackles for loss.

HOMECOMING WIN OVER THE DRAGONS
Final Score: Sacred Heart 56 | Virginia Lynchburg 10
Brief Recap: Sacred Heart exploded out of the gate, scoring three first-quarter touchdowns from Mitchell Summers, Jimmy Casey, and Trey Eberhart III to build a quick 21–0 lead. The Pioneers extended their dominance in the second quarter with additional scores from Summers and Chuck Webb before Webb's 41-yard touchdown run made it 42–7 at halftime. The defense joined the action as Amier Burdine's interception set up another touchdown early in the third quarter. Curtis Whiting's rushing score and Tom Costigan's 59-yard fumble return in the fourth sealed the 56–10 Homecoming victory.
Brief Stats: The Pioneers' rushing attack was dominant, led by Webb's 90 yards and two touchdowns, with Summers adding 77 yards and two scores of his own. On defense, the Pioneers shine with four sacks, two interceptions, and two forced fumbles. Jared Hirschfeld, Kevin Bright, and Josiah Aidoo each recorded a sack, while Mike Deitelbaum added the Pioneers' second interception to cap a complete team effort.

HOME SWEET HOME
The Pioneers aim to finish the home portion of their schedule strong, hoping to remain undefeated on Campus Field. The last time Sacred Heart went undefeated at home was in 2021, when they finished 6-0, solidifying Campus Field as a true fortress.

In 2021, Sacred Heart went 6-0 at home, sweeping every matchup on Campus Field with standout performances, including shutout wins over Bucknell (21-0) and Wagner (27-0), as well as consecutive home victories against Merrimack (20-10), CCSU (27-17), and Duquesne (31-13).

DUO NEARING 1,000-YARD MILESTONE
Sacred Heart stars Mitchell Summers and Payton Rhoades are closing in on the 1,000-yard career milestone, ready to etch their names into SHU history. Summers sits just 105 rushing yards shy of the mark, while Rhoades is a mere 23 receiving yards away from reaching this career milestone.

Meanwhile, Summers has officially reached a 1,000-career milestone, totaling 1,007 all-purpose yards following last Saturday's 77-yard performance against Virginia-Lynchburg. 

PIOS MAKING THEIR MARK

Three Pioneers are currently leaving their imprint on the single-season record books this year - 

• Kicker Matt Kling is tied for eighth with 32 extra point attempts, matching Dane Borges '19. 
• Running back Mitchell Summers is tied for 11th with 10 rushing touchdowns, joining Jason Payne '07 and Marvin Royal '00 in this category. 
• Quarterback Jack Snyder is rewriting the passing record, leading the SHU single-season record with a 69.4% completion rate (129-186), surpassing Dale Fink's 67.8% mark from 2008.

KLING CEMENTING HIS NAME
Sacred Heart kicker Matt Kling continues to cement his legacy in the program's record books. He's tied for fourth all-time in career field goals with 19, matching Lou Monaco (1995-98), and tops SHU history in field goal percentage at 76.0%, moving past Chris Rodgers (75.4%). 

Kling also ranks seventh all-time in extra point attempts with 54, showcasing his consistency and reliability as one of the program's most decorated kickers.

PIONEERS COMMAND THE CLOCK
Sacred Heart is dominating the FCS stat sheet this season, controlling the clock with a 10th-ranked time of possession at 32:27 per game. Its offense keeps drives alive, ranking 12th in third-down conversions (.472) and 20th in fourth-down efficiency (.625), showcasing a relentless, never-quit mentality that keeps opponents on their heels from start to finish.

PRECISION AND POISE
Jack Snyder is lighting up the FCS, ranking 10th in completion percentage at .694, delivering accurate passes and keeping drives alive. The Pioneers' offense complements his precision with smothering ball security, ranking fifth in the FCS with just three interceptions.

AIR RAID READY
Sacred Heart's wideouts have been a nightmare for opposing defenses all season. Payton Rhoades leads the charge with 33 receptions for 405 yards and two touchdowns, serving as quarterback Jack Snyder's go-to weapon in clutch situations. 

Dean Hangey brings the big-play ability with 310 yards and a team-high three scores, while Jason Palmieri matches that scoring impact with three touchdowns of his own. Kevin McGuire provides consistent production across the middle with 27 catches for 307 yards, giving the Pioneers a dynamic, multi-dimensional passing attack that keeps defenses on their heels.

PIOS GROUND GAME
Sacred Heart's rushing attack is firing on all cylinders and continues to rank among the nation's elite. The Pioneers have surged from 17th to 15th to 12th in the FCS in rushing offense, averaging an impressive 210.3 yards per game on the ground. Through 10 games, SHU has piled up 2,103 rushing yards on 451 carries, averaging 4.7 yards per carry, and has powered into the end zone 26 times.

NO STOPPING SUMMERS
Running back Mitchell Summers is showing why he's a force to be reckoned with in FCS. Summers ranks 18th in rushing touchdowns (10), 13th in rushing yards (895), and 20th in rushing yards per game (89.5), while also cracking the top 25 in total touchdowns. 

NO ROOM TO RUN IT BACK
Sacred Heart dominates the hidden-yardage game, ranking first nationally in FCS kickoff return defense at just 12.9 yards per return. 

CLUTCH WHEN IT COUNTS
When the pressure's on, the Pioneers deliver. SHU's defense ranks eighth nationally in third-down defense, holding opponents to a stingy 31.0% on conversions. 

LOCKDOWN MODE ACTIVATED
Sacred Heart's defense has been a relentless force all season, shutting down passing attacks and creating game-changing turnovers. The secondary has racked up four interceptions and 16 pass breakups, led by Maximus Mongelli with 46 tackles and a pick, and Kenny Selby with a team-high seven pass breakups. 

PRESSURE UP FRONT
The Pioneer defensive front is making quarterbacks' lives miserable this season. Through 10 games, Sacred Heart has racked up 19 sacks and 51.5 tackles-for-loss, wreaking havoc in the backfield. Jared Hirschfeld leads the team with 3.5 sacks for a loss of 18 yards, while Peter Schanne has been a force with 6.0 tackles-for-loss, anchoring a defensive line that turns every snap into a battle.

SHU POWERS PAST NEW HAVEN FOR SIXTH WIN
Final Score: Sacred Heart 35 | New Haven 20
Brief Recap: Sacred Heart overcame an early deficit to take control, scoring touchdowns on four of its final five drives and building a lead they would not relinquish to remain undefeated at home, 4-0. 
Brief Stats: Mitchell Summers powered the ground game with two early rushing touchdowns, while Jack Snyder connected on a 43-yard touchdown pass to Dean Hangey and capped the win with a 34-yard rushing score. The Pioneers dominated time of possession and the trenches, finishing with 229 rushing yards and holding New Haven to just 102 yards on the ground in a 35–20 victory.

SUMMERS ADDS FCS JERRY RICE AWARD WATCH LIST TO RESUME
First-year running back Mitchell Summers is one of 22 players named to the FCS Jerry Rice Award Watch List, which was announced back on October 22nd. Summers joins an elite group of former Pioneers to earn national recognition, following in the footsteps of Tyrese Chambers (WR), Julius Chestnut (RB), and RJ Noel (QB), who were each named to the national watch list during their careers at SHU.

PIOS BATTLE NO. 3 MONTANA IN HARD-FOUGHT ROAD CONTEST
Final Score: Montana 43 | Sacred Heart 21
Brief Recap: No. 3 Montana jumped out to a 22–0 first-quarter lead, forcing Sacred Heart to play catch-up for the rest of the game. The Pioneers responded with second-half touchdowns from Mitchell Summers and two Jack Snyder-to-Dean Hangey connections to pull within eight in the fourth quarter. Despite their late surge, Montana scored twice in the final minutes to secure a 43–21 victory, while SHU's defense limited the Grizzlies to just two scores in the second half.
Brief Stats: The Pioneers gained 340 total yards, including 214 passing and 126 rushing, while holding Montana scoreless in the third quarter. Jack Snyder threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns, Mitchell Summers rushed for 87 yards and a score, and Dean Hangey and Payton Rhoades combined for 11 catches, 123 yards, and two touchdowns. Defensively, Ryan Palmieri led with nine tackles, and Peter Schanne added a forced fumble.

PIOS SCORE 32 UNANSWERED PIONTS TO TAKE DOWN HOWARD
Final Score: Sacred Heart 32 | Howard 14
Brief Recap: After falling behind 14–0 late in the first half, Sacred Heart flipped the script with a dominant effort on both sides of the ball, scoring 32 unanswered points, sparked by a  to complete the comeback.
Brief Stats: Mitchell Summers powered the Pioneers' comeback, rushing for a career-high 243 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. Kyle Hall and Mike Deitelbaum paced the Pioneers with eight tackles apiece, while Peter Schanne and Deitelbaum combined for 2.5 of the team's three sacks.

SUMMERS EARNS MULTIPLE WEEKLY AWARDS
Mitchell Summers was named the Stats Perform FCS National Freshman Player of the Week, and he also picked up New England Football Gold Helmet honors for his breakout effort against Howard.

KLING RECEIVES HONORABLE MENTION FOR SPECIAL TEAMS
Grad kicker Matt Kling also earned national attention as he was named Honorable Mention for Special Teams by FCS Stats Perform. 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.

PIOS WINNING NEFW GOLD HELMET AWARD
Mitchell Summers joins current teammate Jack Snyder and former Pioneers Malik Grant and RJ Noel, who received this award during their time here at SHU. Grant was honored in 2021 after his performance against Merrimack College, rushing for 268 yards on 27 carries, while Noel received his in 2013 behind 300 yards of total offense to lead SHU to a win over Marist.

SUMMERS FEATURED ON ESPN'S COLLEGE FOOTBALL FINAL
Mitchell Summers' standout performance in Sacred Heart's 32–14 win over Howard caught national attention last weekend, as he was featured on ESPN's College Football Final. Summers earned a coveted helmet sticker on the show after rushing for 243 yards and two touchdowns on just 18 carries.

SHU SUFFERS OVERTIME SETBACK TO CCSU
Final Score: CCSU 42 | Sacred Heart 35
Brief Recap: Sacred Heart battled back from a 13–0 deficit as John Michalski, Trey Eberhart III, and Jack Snyder each scored to keep the game tight. Snyder's late 37-yard touchdown to Jason Palmieri forced overtime, but CCSU clinched a 42–35 win with a touchdown on the first play of the extra period.
Brief Stats: Jack Snyder totaled 274 yards and three touchdowns to lead the offense, with Trey Eberhart III adding 83 rushing yards and a score. Payton Rhoades and Jason Palmieri each caught touchdown passes, while Maximus Mongelli led the defense with nine tackles.

PIOS KEEP IT ROLLING
Final Score: Sacred Heart 35 | Delaware State 31
Brief Recap: Sacred Heart overcame a two-touchdown deficit to storm past Delaware State, 35–31, on Family Weekend. After trailing 31–20 at halftime, the Pioneers shut out the Hornets in the third and rallied behind quarterback Jack Snyder, who threw for two second-half touchdowns to Jason Palmieri, including the game-winner in the fourth. Matt Kling added two field goals, while the defense held strong late to secure the comeback victory.
Brief Stats: Jack Snyder powered the offense with 298 passing yards, three total touchdowns, and 51 rushing yards. Jason Palmieri caught two scores, while Kevin McGuire hauled in 10 receptions for 78 yards. Mitchell Summers added 170 all-purpose yards and a rushing touchdown. On defense, Kymari Latney posted six tackles, with linemen Peter Schanne and Glory Stephen-Wangboje each recording five stops, a tackle for loss, and a half-sack to anchor the front line.

SYNDER CLAIMS NEFWA GOLD HELMET AWARD
Quarterback Jack Snynder was the recipient of the New England Football Association Gold Helmet Awards presented by the Jack Grinold/Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of the National Football Foundation, following his breakout game against Delaware State. 

SHU CLAIMS BACK-TO-BACK WINS
Final Score: Sacred Heart 31 | Norfolk State 28
Brief Recap: Sacred Heart built a 24–14 advantage early in the second half before Norfolk State rallied to pull within a field goal. With just over five minutes to play, Jack Snyder's touchdown run pushed the lead to 31–21. The Spartans answered quickly with a 29-yard touchdown strike, but the Pioneers' defense forced a missed field goal in the closing seconds to preserve the victory.
Brief Stat: Jack Snyder fueled the attack, passing for 92 yards and rushing for 79, and powered through the defense for two rushing scores. Mitchell Summers led the ground game, amassing 122 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Trey Eberhart III provided an additional spark with 89 rushing yards and a score. On defense, Kyle Hall and Tyler Jameson each tallied six tackles, while Maximus Mongelli stood out with five tackles, a six-yard TFL, an interception, and a pass breakup.

WALK-OFF FIELD GOAL SEALS WIN FOR SHU
Final Score: Sacred Heart 24 | LIU 21
Brief Recap: Trailing 14-7 at halftime and down 21-7 early in the third quarter, the Pioneers refused to back down, with John Michalski and Curtis Whiting scoring key touchdowns to tie the game. Matt Kling's clutch kick as time expired to seal the victory, snapping LIU's three-game win streak in the series.
Brief Stats: Jack Snyder went 14-of-18 for 193 yards and added 88 yards on the ground, while Summers rushed 24 times for 112 yards and a touchdown, and Kevin McGuire caught five passes for 88 yards. On defense, Nick Verbitsky led with seven tackles and a TFL, Kyle Hall added six stops and a TFL, and Peter Schanne recorded four tackles with a sack.

#11/13 LEHIGH TOO MUCH FOR PIOS
Final Score: Lehigh 28 | Sacred Heart 10
Brief Recap: Dean Hangey opened the game with a 91-yard kickoff return touchdown, but Lehigh quickly answered and took control with three first-half rushing scores for a 21-7 lead at the break. Matt Kling added a third-quarter field goal to cut the deficit, but the Mountain Hawks sealed the 28-10 win with a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Brief Stats: Jack Snyder led the Pioneers with 94 passing yards and 38 rushing yards on nine rushing attempts. Chuck Webb added 27 rushing yards, and Payton Rhoades caught four passes for 26 yards. Defensively, Myles Hamilton recorded six tackles, Nick Verbitsky added five tackles with a sack and tackle for loss, and Daimon Jacobs contributed five tackles and an interception.

PIOS TOP STONEHILL IN HOME OPENER
Final Score: Sacred Heart 12 | Stonehill 7
Brief Recap: The Pioneers' defense set the tone early, stopping two red zone drives to keep the game scoreless at halftime. Momentum shifted in the third quarter when Kyle Hall's interception led to a safety by Myles Hamiltonand a touchdown run from Chuck Webb, giving a 9–0 lead. Stonehill closed the gap with a fourth-quarter touchdown, but SHU responded with a Matt Kling field goal before the defense sealed the win with a late fourth-down stop in the red zone.
Brief Stats: On offense, John Michalski threw for 119 yards on 11-of-21 passing and added 42 rushing yards, while Webb carried 17 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. Dean Hangey led the receiving corps with three catches for 67 yards. Defensively, Daimon Jacobs and Maximus Mongelli anchored the unit with 10 tackles apiece, with Jacobs adding a tackle for loss.

2024 SEASON RECAP
In their first season as an FCS Independent, the Pioneers battled a demanding schedule and closed strong, winning the Yankee Conference Championship with a 31–20 victory over Merrimack.

SHU finished 5–6 with wins over Saint Anselm (10–3), Georgetown (40–14), Norfolk State (10–3), Mercyhurst (31–14), and Merrimack.

The Pioneers' backfield was a force to be reckoned with, led by the dynamic duo of Xavier Leigh and Jalen Madison. Their combined efforts amassed over 1,500 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, with seven coming from Madison, which positioned him as the Pioneers' leading touchdown scorer.

Defensively, the secondary was a difference-maker, accounting for six interceptions, six forced fumbles, and 21 pass breakups.

Seven players — Nate Chandler, Tyreke Brown, Isaiah Bishop, Janier Armstead, Nick Verbitsky, Caleb Dennis, and Stanley Dennis II — recorded at least one sack, contributing to 17 overall for a total loss of 84 yards.

BRIEF LOOK AHEAD TO 2025
In their second and final season as an FCS Independent, Sacred Heart opens 2025 with a highly anticipated home matchup against Stonehill on Aug. 30. The Pioneers then play three straight road games at Lehigh (Sept. 6), LIU (Sept. 13), and Norfolk State (Sept. 20), before hosting Delaware State for Family Weekend (Sept. 27).

October begins with a road test at defending NEC champion CCSU (Oct. 4) before SHU returns to Campus Field to host Howard (Oct. 11). A marquee road trip to Montana (Oct. 18) follows, offering one of the season's toughest challenges.

The final month brings three home dates - New Haven (Nov. 1), Virginia Lynchburg (Nov. 8), and a key Yankee Conference Cup showdown with Merrimack (Nov. 15) - before the regular season wraps up on the road at Villanova (Nov. 22).

CAA FOOTBALL WELCOMES SHU
The Coastal Athletic Association Football Board of Directors approved Sacred Heart University as the newest member of the conference, effective July 1, 2026. The move increases CAA Football's membership to 13 institutions, with the geographic footprint stretching across nine states from Maine to North Carolina.

Sacred Heart, a private university with more than 11,000 students, has captured six Northeast Conference championships and made four FCS playoff appearances since 2013, including back-to-back titles in 2013-14 and 2020-21.

SHU President Dr. John Petillo, Executive Director of Athletics Judy Ann Riccio, and Head Coach Mark Nofri each emphasized the opportunity to elevate the program while upholding the values of integrity, community, and athletic excellence. 

SHU FOOTBALL CAPTAINS
Following the conclusion of spring practice, head coach Mark Nofri announced the team captains for the upcoming 2025 season. Kenny Selby, Maximus Mongelli, Cole De Magistris, Evan Scribner, and Curtis Whiting were selected by their peers for their outstanding leadership, consistent performance, and unwavering commitment to the program.

NOFRI ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES
Over the summer, head coach Mark Nofri announced several additions and promotions to his 2025 coaching staff. New to the staff are Paul Amakihe (linebackers), DJ Ford (tight ends), and Lou Del Forno (assistant defensive line/video coordinator). Nate Marr, who served as Director of Football Operations last season, has been promoted to General Manager, Director of Football Operations, and Recruiting Coordinator. Two current assistants also received expanded roles: Brad Tiernan will now serve as Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator, while De Marcus White adds Defensive Pass Game Coordinator duties to his responsibilities with the safeties.

FB ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Jalen Madison '25 – Received his first career All-New England nod back following a breakout season in 2024. He joins fellow running backs Malik Grant, Julius Chestnut, and Keshaudas Spence, who have earned this honor during their tenure with the Pioneers.

Julius Chestnut '22 – Resigned with the Tennessee Titans. Chestnut, who initially joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022, has played in 22 games over the past three seasons and rushed for 114 yards, along with catching five passes for 52 yards. Chesnut has also played a role on special teams.

JD DiRenzo – Currently playing in the UFL with the Arlington Renegades after being traded by the Memphis Showboats back in April. Before the UFL, DiRenzo signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent and was active for one game during the 2023 season, playing seven snaps. 

UP NEXT
The Pioneers conclude the 2025 regular season next Saturday, Nov. 22 with a road showdown with Villanova.