FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University football team delivered a Homecoming performance to remember on Saturday afternoon, cruising past Virginia Lynchburg (VUL), 56–10, at Campus Field. With the victory, the Pioneers improve to 7–3 overall and remain undefeated at home (5–0) this season.
From the opening whistle, SHU was firing on all cylinders.
Mitchell Summers and
Chuck Webb led a relentless ground attack that gashed the Dragons for 294 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Summers punched in a pair of scores to set the tone early, while Webb broke loose for two long touchdown runs—including a 41-yard sprint that brought the crowd to its feet.
Defensively, SHU continued to 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.
Final Score:
Sacred Heart 56
VUL 10
Records:
Sacred Heart (7-3)
VUL (3-8)
Top Performers:
Offense -
Chuck Webb: 7 attempts | 90 yards | 2 TD
Mitchell Summers: 14 attempts | 77 yards | 2 TD
Trey Eberhart III: 4 attempts | 52 yards | 1 TD
Curtis Whiting: 4 attempts | 10 yards | 1 TD
Jimmy Casey: 1 reception | 8 yards | 1 TD
Defense -
Myles Hamilton: 4 tackles | 0.5/1 TFL/Yds
Kyle Hall: 3 tackles | 1.0/10 TFL/Yds | 1.0/10 Sacks/Yds
Jared Hirschfeld: 3 tackles | 2.5/7 TFL/Yds | 1.0 Sacks/Yds | 1 Forced Fumble
How it Happened:
Sacred Heart wasted no time taking control. After forcing a quick punt, the Pioneers marched 56 yards on nine plays, capped by a three-yard touchdown run from first-year standout
Mitchell Summers.
Less than two minutes later, quarterback
Jack Snyder connected with tight end
Jimmy Casey on an eight-yard scoring strike to double the lead. The first-quarter fireworks continued as Trey Eberhart broke through the line for a 19-yard touchdown, giving SHU a commanding 21–0 advantage.
The Pioneers kept their foot on the gas in the second quarter. Summers powered into the end zone again from 11 yards out, and
Chuck Webb followed with a two-yard plunge to stretch the lead to 35–0.
After Virginia Lynchburg managed its lone touchdown of the half, Sacred Heart responded immediately. Webb broke through for a 41-yard touchdown run, sending the Pioneers into halftime with a 42–7 lead and the Homecoming crowd roaring.
The defense made sure the momentum never shifted. Early in the third quarter, senior defensive back
Amier Burdine came up with a highlight-reel interception, returning it 37 yards deep into Virginia Lynchburg territory to set up another SHU scoring drive.
The Pioneers capitalized in the fourth quarter when
Curtis Whiting barreled in from five yards out to make it 49–10. Moments later, the defense struck again — linebacker
Tom Costigan scooped up a fumble and raced 59 yards for a touchdown, sealing SHU's eighth score of the afternoon and the 56–10 final.
Up Next:
The Pioneers are back in action next Saturday, Nov. 15, taking on the Merrimack Warriors for the Yankee Conference Cup at 12 PM on Campus Field!
Before kickoff, the SHU football program will honor the Class of 2026, celebrating their hard work, dedication, and contributions to the Pioneer legacy.
