Trying to right the ship after a pair of Northeast Conference losses, the Sacred Heart University football team is on the road Saturday to face Duquesne. The top two teams in the preseason NEC poll, the Pioneers (4-4 overall, 2-2 NEC) and Dukes (2-6, 1-3 NEC) are both looking for a victory to jump start the last month of the season. This will be Sacred Heart's first trip to back to the Steel City since winning the first, and only, NEC Championship game in April of 2021.

OPENING KICKOFF

• Looking to avoid its first three-game losing streak since 2019, Sacred Heart is on the road to face Duquesne
• The Dukes haven't faired any better, having lost four of their last five following a 50-48 double overtime loss to LIU on Saturday. 
• Duquesne owns a 12-6 advantage in the all time series, but Sacred Heart has won the last two meetings, including a 34-27 overtime decision in the first, and only, NEC Championship game on April 11, 2021.
• Running back Malik Grant crossed the 100-yard plateau for the fifth time this season. He is 30th in the NCAA at 88.5 yards per game. 
• Rob DiNota has been the top receiver on the team the last two weeks and has moved up to 10th in school history with 108 career receptions.
• Linebacker DeAndre Byrd posted a season-high three tackles for a loss against Saint Francis and ranks 10th in the NEC for TFL.
• Known for taking the ball away, Sacred Heart does not have caused turnover in its last three games and hasn't recovered a fumble this season.