Sacred Heart
Elon University
Pioneers Head to the Tar Heel State
9/17/2026 10:14:00 AM | Football
Sacred Heart resumes CAA play with its first-ever trip to Elon
The Sacred Heart University football team returns to CAA action on Saturday, Sept. 19, when the Pioneers travel to Elon, N.C., to take on the Elon Phoenix at Rhodes Stadium.Â
Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Sacred Heart and Elon. The matchup also marks Sacred Heart's first trip to Elon as the Pioneers continue their inaugural season in the CAA.
Sacred Heart enters Saturday's contest 0-2 overall and 0-1 in CAA play following a 37-10 setback at FBS opponent UMass last Saturday. The Pioneers opened the season with a 31-24 loss at Monmouth in their first official CAA contest on Sept. 5.
Elon enters the matchup 2-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play. The Phoenix opened the season with back-to-back victories over Glenville State and Davidson before falling to No. 8/13 Rhode Island, 31-10, last Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 6:00 PM, and the game will be broadcast live on FloCollege. Fans can also follow along with live stats and updates at sacredheartpioneers.com
LAST TIME OUT
Final Score: UMass 37 | Sacred Heart 10
Highlights:Â Sacred Heart battled FBS opponent UMass on the road, falling 37-10 at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. The Minutemen built a 23-0 halftime lead, but the Pioneers responded in the second half with a 58-yard drive capped by Ryan Bocklet's 35-yard field goal. Sacred Heart continued to fight in the fourth quarter, putting together a 75-yard, 15-play drive that lasted 8:10 and ended with Cole Snider's one-yard touchdown run. The Pioneers held UMass scoreless in the fourth quarter and finished with 303 total yards, 16 first downs and a 35:01-24:59 advantage in time of possession.
CONTROLLING THE CLOCK
Sacred Heart has controlled the clock through the opening two games of the season, averaging 35:14 in time of possession, which ranks third in the NCAA FCS and leads the CAA. The Pioneers held the ball for more than 35 minutes in both games, including a 35:01-24:59 advantage at UMass. Sacred Heart also finished with 26 first downs in its CAA opener at Monmouth.
SECOND-HALF FIGHT
The Pioneers have continued to battle after halftime, scoring 17 of their 34 points in the second half through two games. Sacred Heart scored 17 second-half points in its CAA opener at Monmouth, including a 52-yard touchdown pass from Poochie Snyder to Dean Hangey that tied the game at 21-21 in the third quarter. Against FBS opponent UMass, the Pioneers scored all 10 of their points after halftime and held the Minutemen scoreless in the fourth quarter.
FOURTH-DOWN SUCCESS
The Pioneers have been effective on fourth down through the opening two games, converting 4-of-6 attempts for a 66.7 percent success rate, which ranks third in the CAA. Sacred Heart converted a fourth down during its 75-yard, 15-play fourth-quarter touchdown drive at FBS opponent UMass, a possession that lasted 8:10 and ended with Cole Snider's one-yard touchdown run.
SNYDER UNDER CENTER
Sacred Heart ranks third in the CAA in offensive efficiency at 136.8, with quarterback Poochie Snyder helping lead the way through the opening two games. Snyder has totaled 359.0 yards of offense, including 268 passing yards and 58 rushing yards. He opened the season with three passing touchdowns against Monmouth and ranks seventh in the CAA in total yards at 179.5 per game.
PIONEERS ON THE GROUND
Through the opening weeks of CAA play, Sacred Heart ranks second in the conference in rushing offense at 180.0 yards per game, a strong ground attack that has helped the Pioneers rank third in the CAA in first-down conversions at 21.0 per game.
DYNAMIC DUO
Sacred Heart's rushing attack has been a consistent strength through the opening two games. Chuck Webb leads the Pioneers with 96 rushing yards, while Darius Chukwuemeka has provided an explosive presence after making his collegiate debut against Monmouth, rushing for 43 yards on just three carries. The rookie has also seen action on kickoff returns, averaging 21.3 yards per return to rank fifth in the CAA.
HANGEY MAKES AN IMPACT
Dean Hangey has emerged as one of the Pioneers' top offensive weapons through the opening two games of the season and ranks among the top 10 receivers in the CAA. Hangey opened the season with a career performance at Monmouth, hauling in five receptions for a team-high 110 yards and two touchdowns, including a 52-yard touchdown that helped the Pioneers pull even at 21-21 in the third quarter. He followed with one reception for five yards against UMass, giving him six catches for 115 yards and two touchdowns on the season.
DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Myles Hamilton and Ryan Palmieri have paced the Pioneers defensively through two games with 14 tackles apiece. Hamilton opened the season with nine tackles against Monmouth before adding five against UMass, while Palmieri recorded nine tackles against Monmouth and five against UMass.
STRONG AGAINST THE RUN
Sacred Heart has limited opponents to 132.5 rushing yards per game through the opening two contests, ranking fourth in the CAA. The Pioneers held Monmouth to 113 rushing yards in the CAA opener and have allowed just three rushing touchdowns through two games.
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 is back in action on Saturday, Sept. 26th when the Pioneers host New Hampshire as part of Family Weekend. The CAA showdown is set for 12:05 pm at Sikorsky Credit Union Field.Â
