LORETTO, PA. – The Sacred Heart University football team earned its first win of the 2023 season as the Pioneers topped Saint Francis University, 37-34, on the road at DeGol Field in Northeast Conference (NEC) action. 
 
Records:
Sacred Heart: 1-3, 1-1 NEC
Saint Francis: 0-4, 0-1 NEC
 
Top Performers:
Offense:
Rob McCoy (pass): 14-of-23, 185 yards, 2 TD | 14 carries, 64 yards
Malik Grant: 20 carries, 118 yards, 1 TD
Jalen Madison: 17 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD
Payton Rhoades: 3 receptions, 41 yards, 1 TD
LJ Haskett: 2 receptions, 15 yards, 1 TD
 
Defense: 
DeAndre Byrd: 9 tackles, 2.0/4 TFL/Yds
Ethan Rodriguez: 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1.0 TFL
Jordan Campbell: 1 tackle, 1 INT
 
Of Note:
Saint Francis opened regulation with the early 10-0 lead following a field goal and a rushing touchdown from Damon Horton on a second and three at the SHU 3. 
 
On its fourth drive of the game, Sacred Heart went to work as a four-yard rush from Madison, and a 37-yard completion to Aboraa Kwarteng put the Pioneers in the red zone. From there, McCoy handed the ball to Madison for the two-yard touchdown, followed by a Sam Renzi extra point, which brought the Pioneers to within three, 10-7. Madison's rushing touchdown was his fourth straight of the season.
 
Despite a Red Flash touchdown to kick off the second quarter, Sacred Heart's offense rallied together as McCoy and Rhoades made the most out of a broken play on a second and one for a Pioneers' touchdown, which led to a good extra point attempt from Renzi, 17-14. 
 
Sacred Heart's defense continued to shine, forcing Saint Francis to punt on its next drive and allow the offense to return to work with 5:06 left in the quarter. The Pioneers' drive started with back-to-back passes to Kwarteng and Rhoades, followed by four carries from Madison. Despite not converting on a third and five, the Pioneers turned to Renzi, who put the ball between the goal pipes for a 44-yard field goal and tied the game at 17-all.   
 
Saint Francis could not get its offense going as another drive ended with a punt, which allowed the Pioneers to start their drive on the SHU 45 with 47 seconds on the clock. Sacred Heart's offense wasted no time getting up the field before another Renzi field goal gave the visitors a 20-17 lead heading into halftime.
 
Sacred Heart's largest lead came in the third as McCoy threw a perfect pass to Haskett to build on the Pioneers' halftime advantage, 27-17. Shortly after, the Red Flash began to gain momentum offensively and trim the deficit to within three, 27-24.
 
The fourth quarter began with Saint Francis tying the game thanks to a 26-yard field goal from Mac Plummer, but a four-yard rushing touchdown from Grant and a Renzi extra point put the visitors back on top, 34-27. 
 
With the game tied at 34-34, following a touchdown from the Red Flash, the Pioneers maintained their composure offensively, moving the ball from the SHU 45 to the SFU 23 over the final 2:20 to set up Renzi for the game-winning field goal with two seconds left on the clock. 

Up Next:
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 28, as the red-and-white host the Warriors of Merrimack College on Family Weekend. Game time is set for 1 p.m. at Campus Field.