For the final time this season, the Sacred Heart University football team will step out of Northeast Conference action. The Pioneers welcome Norfolk State to Campus Field on Saturday at 1 p.m. for the first meeting between the two programs. Sacred Heart is riding high after a 38-31 overtime victory against Dartmouth. The Spartans have yet to put one in the win column after falling 45-26 to fellow NEC member Saint Francis.

OPENING KICKOFF

• The Sacred Heart University football team continues its run of three-straight home games against Norfolk State on Saturday at 1 p.m.
• Sacred Heart is coming off a thrilling 38-31 overtime victory against Dartmouth last week in the home opener.
• This is the first meeting between the Pioneers and Spartans. Under head coach Mark Nofri, Sacred Heart is 17-16, including 2-9 during Nofri's first season, when playing an opponent for the first time. 
• Norfolk State is winless in its first four endeavors this year, including a 45-26 loss last week to Saint Francis.
• Sacred Heart's pass defense is tops in the FCS, allowing 93.2 yards per game. The Pioneers are also second in team passing efficiency defense (76.33) third in interceptions (7)
• A pair of Pioneers earned Northeast Conference weekly honors. Malik Grant was named NEC Offensive Player of the Week for the sixth time in his career while junior linebacker Ernest Howard picked up his first Defensive Player of the Week accolade.