ON THE ROAD, AGAIN

• The Sacred Heart University football team hits the road again, traveling to Brookville, N.Y., for a 12 p.m. matchup against former Northeast Conference (NEC) rival LIU. 
• The Sharks enter Saturday's game riding a thrilling 28-23 road win over Eastern Michigan, marking the program's first-ever victory over an FBS opponent. 
• This is the eighth all-time meeting between the Pioneers and Sharks, with the Sharks leading the series, 4-3. 
• Saturday's game against the Sharks will be streamed on NECFrontRow. 

LAST TIME VS. LIU
Date: November 9, 2024
Final Score: LIU 28 | SHU 7
Brief Recap: The Sharks built a 21-0 first-quarter lead and held firm through a scoreless second, highlighted by a Tyreke Brown interception. Sacred Heart struck after halftime with a John Michalski-to-Ethan Hilliman touchdown and a defensive takeaway, but the offense stalled as LIU answered to make it 28-7. Despite two late drives, the Pioneers couldn't rally and fell in their home finale.
Brief Stats: John Michalski threw for 104 yards with a touchdown and interception while adding 27 rushing yards. Jalen Madison ran for 38 yards, Ethan Hilliman caught a 20-yard score, and Payton Rhoades added 39 receiving yards. On defense, Marques Mason had nine tackles, Maximus Mongelli seven with a forced fumble, Isaiah Bishop 1.5 tackles for loss, and Tyreke Brown an interception.

HANGEY'S ON THE MOVE
Dean Hangey has quickly become one of the top kickoff returners in the FCS in 2025. He ranks 10th nationally in combined kickoff return yards with 157, leads the nation with a 52.3-yard average per return, and is tied for first with a kickoff return touchdown, highlighted by a 91-yard score against Lehigh.

DEFENSE DELIVERS
Just two weeks in, the Pioneers' defense is making its mark, ranking third in the FCS by allowing only a .910 third-down conversion rate.

OFFENSE MAKING WAVES
The Pioneers' offense is making waves in the FCS, ranking second in kickoff returns with a 40.75-yard average and ninth in third-down conversions at .500.

#11/13 LEHIGH TOO MUCH FOR PIOS
Final Score:
Brief Recap: Dean Hangey opened the game with a 91-yard kickoff return touchdown, but Lehigh quickly answered and took control with three first-half rushing scores for a 21-7 lead at the break. Matt Kling added a third-quarter field goal to cut the deficit, but the Mountain Hawks sealed the 28-10 win with a fourth-quarter touchdown.
Brief Stats: Jack Snyder led the Pioneers with 94 passing yards and 38 rushing yards on 9 attempts. Chuck Webb added 27 rushing yards, and Payton Rhoades caught four passes for 26 yards. Defensively, Myles Hamilton recorded six tackles, Nick Verbitsky added five tackles with a sack and tackle for loss, and Daimon Jacobs contributed five tackles and an interception.

PIOS TOP STONEHILL IN HOME OPENER
Final Score: Sacred Heart 12 | Stonehill 7
Brief Recap: The Pioneers' defense set the tone early, stopping two red zone drives to keep the game scoreless at halftime. Momentum shifted in the third quarter when Kyle Hall's interception led to a safety by Myles Hamilton and a touchdown run from Chuck Webb, giving a 9–0 lead. Stonehill closed the gap with a fourth-quarter touchdown, but SHU responded with a Matt Kling field goal before the defense sealed the win with a late fourth-down stop in the red zone.
Brief Stats: On offense, John Michalski threw for 119 yards on 11-of-21 passing and added 42 rushing yards, while Chuck Webb carried 17 times for 83 yards and a touchdown. Dean Hangey led the receiving corps with three catches for 67 yards. Defensively, Daimon Jacobs and Maximus Mongelli anchored the unit with 10 tackles apiece, with Jacobs adding a tackle for loss.

2024 SEASON RECAP
In their first season as an FCS Independent, the Pioneers battled a demanding schedule and closed strong, winning the Yankee Conference Championship with a 31–20 victory over Merrimack.

SHU finished 5–6 with wins over Saint Anselm (10–3), Georgetown (40–14), Norfolk State (10–3), Mercyhurst (31–14), and Merrimack.

The Pioneers' backfield was a force to be reckoned with, led by the dynamic duo of Xavier Leigh and Jalen Madison. Their combined efforts amassed over 1,500 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns, with seven coming from Madison, which positioned him as the Pioneers' leading touchdown scorer.

Defensively, the secondary was a difference-maker, accounting for six interceptions, six forced fumbles, and 21 pass breakups.

Seven players — Nate Chandler, Tyreke Brown, Isaiah Bishop, Janier Armstead, Nick Verbitsky, Caleb Dennis, and Stanley Dennis II — recorded at least one sack, contributing to 17 overall for a total loss of 84 yards.

BRIEF LOOK AHEAD TO 2025
In their second and final season as an FCS Independent, Sacred Heart opens 2025 with a highly anticipated home matchup against Stonehill on Aug. 30. The Pioneers then play three straight road games at Lehigh (Sept. 6), LIU (Sept. 13), and Norfolk State (Sept. 20), before hosting Delaware State for Family Weekend (Sept. 27).

October begins with a road test at defending NEC champion CCSU (Oct. 4) before SHU returns to Campus Field to host Howard (Oct. 11). A marquee road trip to Montana (Oct. 18) follows, offering one of the season's toughest challenges.

The final month brings three home dates - New Haven (Nov. 1), Virginia Lynchburg (Nov. 8), and a key Yankee Conference Cup showdown with Merrimack (Nov. 15) - before the regular season wraps up on the road at Villanova (Nov. 22).

CAA FOOTBALL WELCOMES SHU
The Coastal Athletic Association Football Board of Directors approved Sacred Heart University as the newest member of the conference, effective July 1, 2026. The move increases CAA Football's membership to 13 institutions, with the geographic footprint stretching across nine states from Maine to North Carolina.

Sacred Heart, a private university with more than 11,000 students, has captured six Northeast Conference championships and made four FCS playoff appearances since 2013, including back-to-back titles in 2013-14 and 2020-21.

SHU President Dr. John Petillo, Executive Director of Athletics Judy Ann Riccio, and Head Coach Mark Nofri each emphasized the opportunity to elevate the program while upholding the values of integrity, community, and athletic excellence. 

SHU FOOTBALL CAPTAINS
Following the conclusion of spring practice, head coach Mark Nofri announced the team captains for the upcoming 2025 season. Kenny Selby, Maximus Mongelli, Cole De Magistris, Evan Scribner, and Curtis Whiting were selected by their peers for their outstanding leadership, consistent performance, and unwavering commitment to the program.

NOFRI ANNOUNCES STAFF CHANGES
Over the summer, head coach Mark Nofri announced several additions and promotions to his 2025 coaching staff.

New to the staff are Paul Amakihe (linebackers), DJ Ford (tight ends), and Lou Del Forno (assistant defensive line/video coordinator).

Nate Marr, who served as Director of Football Operations last season, has been promoted to General Manager, Director of Football Operations, and Recruiting Coordinator.

Two current assistants also received expanded roles: Brad Tiernan will now serve as Offensive Line/Run Game Coordinator, while De Marcus White adds Defensive Pass Game Coordinator duties to his responsibilities with the safeties.

FB ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Jalen Madison '25 – Receveid his first career All-New England nod back following a breakout season in 2024. He joins fellow running backs Malik Grant, Julius Chestnut, and Keshaudas Spence, who have earned this honor during their tenure with the Pioneers.

Julius Chestnut '22 – Resigned with the Tennessee Titans. Chestnut, who initially joined the team as an undrafted free agent in 2022, has played in 22 games over the past three seasons and rushed for 114 yards, along with catching five passes for 52 yards. Chesnut has also played a role on special teams.

JD DiRenzo – Currently playing in the UFL with the Arlington Renegades after being traded by the Memphis Showboats back in April. Prior to the UFL, DiRenzo signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent and was active for one game, during the 2023 season, playing seven snaps. 

FOLLOW LIVE
Pioneer fans can find the latest news, scores, highlights, up-to-the-minute breaking news, or schedule changes on the official website of SHU Athletics. 

Follow the Pioneers at @SHU__FB on Twitter and @shufb_ on Instagram.

Live Stats are also available at sacredheartpioneers.com/sidearmstats/football/summary

ON DECK
The Pioneers return to action on Saturday, Sept. 20, for a road contest against Norfolk State. Game time is set for 4PM in Norfolk, Va.