ON THE ROAD, AGAIN

• The Sacred Heart University football team wraps up its three-game road stretch this Saturday, Sept. 20, with a 4 p.m. clash against the Norfolk State Spartans. 
• This marks the third all-time meeting between the programs, with the Pioneers leading the series 2-0. 
• Sacred Heart comes off a thrilling 24-21 walk-off victory over LIU this past Saturday in Brookville, N.Y., while Norfolk State enters the game with a 1-2 record following a 60-10 loss to Rutgers. 
• Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. at William "Dick" Price Stadium, and fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+.

LAST TIME VS. NORFOLK STATE
Date: October 5, 2024
Final Score: Sacred Heart 10 | Norfolk St. 3
Brief Recap: Sacred Heart took control early, opening the scoring with a 36-yard Matt Kling field goal in the first quarter and extending their lead to 10-0 before halftime on an 80-yard drive capped by a John Michalski rushing touchdown. Norfolk State fought back in the third quarter, converting a long gain into a 53-yard field goal to make it 10-3, but the Pioneers' defense held firm throughout the second half. The Spartans threatened late, reaching the SHU 4-yard line, but a holding penalty and three consecutive incompletions ended their rally.
Brief Stats: SHU's offense finished the afternoon with 243 total yards, 184 rushing and 59 passing yards, respectively. Quarterback John Michalski recorded the Pioneers' lone touchdown of the afternoon and extended his season total to three rushing touchdowns. SHU's defense tallied three sacks for a loss of eight yards, an interception, a forced fumble, and broke up a pair of passes.

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. Kling's clutch kick as time expired to seal the victory, snapping LIU's three-game win streak in the series.
Brief Stats: Quarterback Jack Snyder went 14-of-18 for 193 yards and added 88 yards on the ground, while Mitchell 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.

DEFENSE DELIVERS
The Pioneers' defense remains dominant, leading the FCS football rankings with a third-down conversion rate of just .133% and ranking fifth nationally in allowing only 122.7 passing yards per game.

PIOS ON THE MOVE
The Pioneers are blazing the way in FCS football, leading the nation in kickoff returns with an impressive 40.75-yard average.

SUMMERS BREAKING TACKLES
Rookie running back Mitchell Summers is quickly proving himself as a force in the Pioneers' backfield. After Saturday's standout performance against LIU, he's earning more carries and making the most of every opportunity. Summers leads the team with 138 rushing yards on 34 carries and recorded his first rushing touchdown, powering a 12-play, 99-yard drive that culminated in a 14-yard score in the second quarter against the Sharks.

LINEBACKER ON LOCK
Through the first three games, Nick Verbitsky has established himself as a key force on the Pioneers' defense. He has tallied 17 total tackles—second on the team and first among his position group—including a tackle for loss in each game (3.0 TFLs for 7 yards) and 1.0 sack (2 yards).

KLING KEEPS PIONEERS ROLLING
Matt Kling is on fire for the Pioneers, leading the team with 14 points. He's drilled three field goals—including the clutch game-winner against LIU—and added five extra points, keeping Sacred Heart rolling and the scoreboard ticking.

#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 9 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 Hamilton and 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 Chuck 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. Prior to 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. 

FOLLOW LIVE
Pioneer fans can find the latest news, scores, highlights, up-to-the-minute breaking news, or schedule changes on the official website of SHU Athletics. 

Follow the Pioneers at @SHU__FB on Twitter and @shufb_ on Instagram.

Live Stats are also available at sacredheartpioneers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

ON DECK
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 27, for a home showdown against Delaware State on Campus Field at 12:00 p.m.