BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – The Sacred Heart University football team delivered on a beautiful Saturday afternoon, rallying from a 14-point deficit to stun LIU on its Homecoming Weekend, 24-21. Graduate kicker Matt Kling sealed the win with a walk-off 21-yard field goal.

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. Kling's clutch kick as time expired to seal the victory, snapping LIU's three-game win streak in the series. 

Final Score:
Sacred Heart 24
LIU 21

Records:
Sacred Heart (2-1)
LIU (1-2)

Top Performers:
Offense – 
QB – Jack Snyder: 14-18, 193 passing yards | 17 attempts, 88 rushing yards 
RB – Mitchell Summers: 24 attempts | 112 rushing yards | 1 touchdown
WR – Kevin McGuire: 5 receptions | 88 yards

Defense – 
LB – Nick Verbitsky: 7 tackles | 1.0/4 TFL/Yds | 
LB – Kyle Hall: 6 tackles | 1.0/1 TFL/Yds
DL – Peter Schanne: 4 tackles | 1.0/6 TFL/Yds | 1.0/6 Sacks/Yds

How it Happened:
The Sharks struck immediately as Luca Stanzani sprinted 75 yards for a touchdown on LIU's opening play, giving the home team an early 7-0 lead. The Pioneers answered with a methodical 12-play, 99-yard drive capped by Mitchell Summers' 14-yard touchdown run and a Kling extra point, tying the game at 7-7. 

LIU regained the edge late in the second quarter on O'Shawn Ross Jr.'s one-yard touchdown plunge, sending Sacred Heart into halftime trailing 14-7.

The third quarter saw LIU extend its lead to 21-7 when Jaylin Lucas recovered a muffed punt in the end zone. But the Pioneers refused to back down. Starting at their own 25, Sacred Heart drove 75 yards in 10 plays, blending clutch passes from Jack Snyder to Dean Hangey and Kevin McGuire with punishing runs from both Michalski and Summers. Michalski powered in a three-yard touchdown, and Kling's extra point tied the game at 21-21, sending SHU fans into a frenzy.

The fourth quarter brought even more drama. After another LIU special teams' miscue—a muffed punt—the Pioneers capitalized. Whiting barreled in a five-yard touchdown, swinging momentum firmly in Sacred Heart's favor.

After forcing the Sharks to punt on their next two drives, the Pioneers then drove 81 yards in just over three minutes, with Snyder connecting on a 42-yard strike to Payton Rhoades and Summers picking up crucial yardage. With the clock winding down, Kling calmly drilled a 21-yard field goal as time expired, securing a thrilling 24-21 road victory and igniting the Pioneers' sideline in celebration.

Up Next:
Sacred Heart wraps up its three-game road stretch next Saturday, September 20, at Norfolk State. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. in Norfolk, Va.