Sacred Heart
University of Massachusetts
Pioneers Set for FBS Challenge at UMass
9/10/2026 2:44:00 PM | Football
SHU Travels to Amherst for First-Ever Meeting with the Minutemen
PIOS V. MINUTEMEN
The Sacred Heart University football team looks to bounce back from its CAA-opening loss to Monmouth, 31-24, last Saturday at Kessler Stadium, as the Pioneers travel to Amherst, Mass., this Saturday, Sept. 12, for an FBS showdown against the UMass Minutemen at McGuirk Alumni Stadium.
Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Sacred Heart and UMass.
The Pioneers are 0-2 all-time against FBS opponents, looking to make history in their first matchup with the Minutemen.
UMass enters Saturday's contest riding high following a thrilling 37-21 road victory at Rutgers, snapping a 16-game losing streak and earning the program's first FBS win since 2023.
Kickoff is set for 3:30PM and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+. Fans can also follow along with live stats and updates at sacredheartpioneers.com.
FBS SHOWDOWN
The Pioneers are 0-2 all-time against FBS opponents, but they'll have another chance to make program history when they take on the Minutemen.
Sacred Heart's most recent FBS matchup came in 2024, when the Pios traveled to Delaware in the Blue Hens' first season competing at the FBS level. The Pioneers dropped the contest, 49-0.
Before the Delaware matchup, Sacred Heart faced UConn on the road in 2023 and fell 31-3.
SCOUTING THE MINUTEMEN
UMass is 1-0 this season and is one of two teams currently undefeated in the MAC. Buffalo is the other undefeated team, also 1-0.Â
The Minutemen swept the MAC weekly accolades (9/7) as quarterback Pop Watson III earned Offensive Player of the Week, safety Jahmad Harmon was named Defensive Player of the Week, and kicker Derek Morris tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week.Â
UMass opened the 2026 season with an impressive passing performance, completing 86.4 percent of its passes, which ranks third nationally.Â
Quarterback Pop Watson III matched that mark, completing 86.4 percent of his attempts to rank sixth nationally after one game.
The Minutemen's defense was on point in the win over Rutgers, recording three interceptions, two from safety Jahmad Harmon, a fumble recovery, and allowing the fewest rushing yards (27).
CAA OPENER SETBACK
Final Score: Monmouth 31 | Sacred Heart 24 (Sept. 5, 2026)
Team Highlights: Sacred Heart made an immediate statement in its historic CAA debut, outgaining Monmouth 408-350 and controlling the clock for more than 35 minutes. The Pioneers piled up 217 rushing yards and 26 first downs while repeatedly answering Monmouth throughout the afternoon. After trailing 21-14 in the third quarter, Sacred Heart rallied to tie the game at 21-21, then answered again in the fourth to make it 24-24 with 8:08 remaining. The Pioneers ultimately fell 31-24 but battled the Hawks until the final minutes.
SNYDER MAKING AN IMPACT EARLY
Poochie Snyder led the way in his first game of the 2026 campaign, completing 14-of-25 passes for 191 yards and three touchdowns without throwing an interception. He also added 34 rushing yards.
100 RECEIVING YARDS FOR HANGEY
Dean Hangey hauled in five receptions for a team-high 110 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 22.0 yards per catch. Hangey provided two of Sacred Heart's biggest offensive plays, scoring on a 9-yard reception in the second quarter before breaking loose for a 52-yard touchdown in the third. He also added 18 rushing yards on his lone carry, finishing with 128 total yards of offense.
GROUND GAME ATTACK
Sacred Heart's ground attack also made its presence felt, with the Pioneers finishing with 217 rushing yards. Chuck Webb led the way with 72 yards on 18 carries, while Darius Chukwuemeka, who made his collegiate debut, provided an explosive spark with 43 yards on just three carries.Â
DEFENSE KEPT PIOS WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE
The defense turned in a competitive performance in the Pioneers' CAA debut, limiting Monmouth to 350 total yards and just 113 yards on the ground. Sacred Heart held the Hawks to 4.3 yards per rushing attempt while recording three tackles for loss and a sack. Sacred Heart's defense helped keep the Pioneers within one score throughout the afternoon, as Monmouth's final touchdown came with just 2:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Myles Hamilton and Ryan Palmieri led the Pioneers defensively against Monmouth, recording nine tackles apiece. Kyle Hall and Mike Deitelbaum each added seven tackles, while Hamilton also contributed a tackle for loss.
PRESSURING THE QUARTERBACK
Janier Armstead recorded Sacred Heart's lone sack against the Hawks, while the Pioneers finished with three tackles for loss as a team.
NEW FACE ON THE BLOCK
Cooper Brushwood made his collegiate debut for the Pioneers this past weekend, taking on kickoff return duties. He finished the game with 32 return yards on two attempts, including a game-long 17-yard return.
DUAL ROLE FOR CHUKWUEMEKA
Darius Chukwuemeka also made his collegiate debut against the Hawks, taking on duties as both a running back and kickoff returner. He finished the game with 138 total yards, including 43 rushing yards on three carries and 85 kickoff return yards on four returns.
2025 SEASON RECAP
Sacred Heart finished the 2025 season 8-4, including a perfect 6-0 at home, while taking on a challenging schedule that featured road games at Lehigh, Montana and Villanova.
The Pioneers capped the season by winning their second straight Yankee Conference Championship, defeating Merrimack, 42-37, on Senior Day and completing a flawless home season.
SUMMERS, SUK REPRESENTS PIOS ON CAA PRESEASON TEAM
Running back Mitchell Summers was named to the 2026 CAA Football Preseason All-Conference Team, while grad offensive lineman Tim Suk earned honorable mention recognition.Â
Summers' breakout season featured four 100-yard rushing performances, highlighted by a career-best 243-yard, two-touchdown effort in a victory over Howard that included an electrifying 80-yard touchdown run. He also rushed for 137 yards in Sacred Heart's win over Merrimack, eclipsing the 1,000-yard mark and etching his name into the program's record book.
Suk was instrumental in protecting quarterback Poochie Snyder and helped anchor an offensive line that paved the way for one of the nation's most productive rushing attacks.Â
PIOS SELECTED 10TH IN CAA PRESEASON POLL
1. Rhode Island (12 first-place votes) - 144
2. Monmouth - 119
3. Elon - 115
4. New Hampshire - 106
5. Stony Brook (1 first-place vote) - 105
6. Towson - 93
7. Maine - 88
8. Campbell - 56
9. Bryant - 50
10. Sacred Heart - 49
11. UAlbany - 35
12. North Carolina A&T - 28
13. Hampton - 26
SHU FOOTBALL CAPTAINSÂ
Following the conclusion of spring practice, head coach Mark Nofri announced the team captains for the upcoming 2026 season.Â
Kenny Selby, Curtis Whiting, Tim Suk, Poochie Snyder, and Logan Lyson were selected by their peers for their outstanding leadership, consistent performance, and unwavering commitment to the program.Â
NOFRI ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES
During the offseason, head coach Mark Nofri announced several new additions and promotions to his 2026 coaching staff.Â
New to the staff are James Alford (outside linebackers), Chase Murdock (linebackers), and Kyle Woodring (tight ends).Â
Lou Del Forno, who served as Assistant Defensive Line/Video Coordinator last season, has been promoted to Director of Football Operations.Â
CHESTNUT RESIGNS WITH TITANS
Former Sacred Heart University football standout Julius Chestnut re-signed with the Tennessee Titans on a one-year contract.
Chestnut appeared in all 17 games during the 2025 season, making his biggest impact on special teams where he led the team with 17 tackles. He also recorded 11 carries for 40 rushing yards. Originally signed by the Titans as an undrafted free agent following the 2022 NFL Draft, Chestnut has steadily contributed in multiple roles.Â
In 2024, he set career highs with 22 carries for 102 yards and added 337 yards on 13 kickoff returns, ranking second on the team in return yards. Over his career, Chestnut has played in 43 games, totaling 154 rushing yards on 42 carries.
UP NEXT
Sacred Heart resumes CAA Football on Saturday, Sept. 19 with a road contest against Elon at 6:00 p.m.Â
