FAIRFIELD, Conn. – As prolific as the offense has been for the Sacred Heart University football team, the defense had been overshadowed. That wasn't the case Saturday night as the defense was front and center in a 21-0 victory over Bucknell.

Records:
Sacred Heart: 1-0
Bucknell: 0-1

Top Performers:
Julius Chestnut (SHU): 170 yards, 26 carries, 1 TD
Nasiem Brantley (SHU): 67 yards, 4 receptions
Rayshad Wallace (SHU): 5 tackles, 1 sack

Up Next:
Sacred Heart opens NEC action September 11 at Bryant in a 7 p.m. contest.

Of Note:
It's the first shutout for Sacred Heart since November 9, 2013 when it laid a goose egg on Duquesne.
 
It could have been a more lopsided victory as the Pioneers outgained the Bison, 455-143, and dominated time of possession 34:20-to-25:40 but had a turnover in the redzone and had a dropped touchdown pass in the first quarter. 
 
Bucknell only got into Sacred Heart territory twice, including one drive that started on the Pioneers' side of the field after a punt return.
 
Walter Payton Award candidate Julius Chestnut had more rushing yards (170) than Bucknell's total offense. The nation's leading rusher made it a 14-0 contest on a two-yard plunge with 3:40 to go in the third quarter.
 
Neither team was able to get into the endzone until SHU scored with 32 seconds left in the opening half. LJ Haskett's first collegiate reception was a 32-yard touchdown from Marquez McCray to cap a 60-yard drive in five plays.
 
Putting the game out of reach was Malik Grant as he scored from four yards out at the 10:07 mark of the fourth quarter.