2025 Sacred Heart Pioneers football team

Last updated

2025 Sacred Heart Pioneers football
Sacred Heart Pioneers logo.svg
ConferenceIndependent
Record5–3
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMatt Gardner (9th season)
Defensive coordinatorDarin Edwards (2nd season)
Home stadium Campus Field
Seasons
←  2024
2026 →
2025 NCAA Division I FCS independents football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Sacred Heart  –  5 –3  
Merrimack  –  3 –5  
As of October 22, 2025
Rankings from STATS Poll

The 2025 Sacred Heart Pioneers football team represent Sacred Heart University (SHU) as an independent during the 2025 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Pioneers are led by 14th-year head coach Mark Nofri. Sacred Heart plays home games at Campus Field in Fairfield, Connecticut.

Contents

This is SHU's last season as an independent, as the Pioneers will join CAA Football in 2026. [1]

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
August 302:00 p.m. Stonehill
ESPN+ W 12–74,197
September 612:00 p.m.at No. 11 Lehigh
ESPN+L 10–283,618
September 1312:00 p.m.at LIU
NEC Front RowW 24–212,504
September 204:00 p.m.at Norfolk State
ESPN+W 31–288,127
September 2712:00 p.m. Delaware State
  • Campus Field
  • Fairfield, CT
ESPN+W 35–316,456
October 412:00 p.m.at Central Connecticut
NEC Front RowL 35–42 OT2,044
October 111:00 p.m. Howard
  • Campus Field
  • Fairfield, CT
ESPN+W 32–143,231
October 183:00 p.m.at No. 4 Montana
ESPN+L 21–4326,147
November 112:00 p.m. New Haven
  • Campus Field
  • Fairfield, CT
ESPN+
November 812:00 p.m. VUL Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Campus Field
  • Fairfield, CT
ESPN+
November 1512:00 p.m. Merrimack
  • Campus Field
  • Fairfield, CT
ESPN+
November 221:00 p.m.at Villanova
FloFootball

Game summaries

Stonehill

Stonehill Skyhawks (0-0) at Sacred Heart Pioneers (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Skyhawks00077
Pioneers009312

at Campus Field • Fairfield, CT

  • Date: August 30
  • Game time: 2:00 PM EDT
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Freddie Coleman (play-by-play), Chris Smith (analyst) and Morgan Bedard (sideline)
StatisticsSTOSHU
First downs1618
Total yards261288
Rushing yards49161
Passing yards212119
Passing: Comp–Att–Int30–39–011–21–0
Time of possession27:3832:22
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
StonehillPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Sacred HeartPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at No. 11 Lehigh

Sacred Heart Pioneers (1-0) at No. 11 Lehigh Mountain Hawks (1-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Pioneers703010
No. 11 Mountain Hawks7140728

at Goodman Stadium • Lower Saucon, PA

  • Date: September 6
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 3,618
  • Referee: Henry Wimberg
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Marco Socci (play-by-play) and Mike Yadush (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (14:47) SHU – Dean Hangey 91 yard kickoff return, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 1 play, 91 yards, 0:13; SHU 7-0)
  • (11:38) LEH – Luke Yoder 28 yard run, Nick Garrido kick (Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:09 TIED 7-7)
Second Quarter
  • (14:12) LEH – Jaden Green 10 yard run, Nick Garrido kick (Drive: 3 plays, 43 yards, 1:25; LEH 14-7)
  • (1:06) LEH – Hayden Johnson 20 yard run, Nick Garrido kick (Drive: 4 plays, 33 yards, 0:31; LEH 21-7)
Third Quarter
  • (8:13) SHU – Matt Kling 32 yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 5:17; LEH 21-10)
Fourth Quarter
  • (14:55) LEH – Matt Machalik 2 yard run, Nick Garrido kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 6:13; LEH 28-10)
StatisticsSHULEH
First downs1421
Total yards177423
Rushing yards70286
Passing yards107137
Passing: Comp–Att–Int16–26–011–18–1
Time of possession26:2333:37
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Sacred HeartPassingJack Snyder14/20, 94 yards
RushingJack Snyder9 carries, 30 yards
ReceivingPayton Rhoades4 receptions, 26 yards
LehighPassingHayden Johnson10/17, 129 yards, INT
RushingLuke Yoder12 carries, 127 yards, TD
ReceivingGoeffrey Jamiel5 receptions, 60 yards

at LIU

Sacred Heart Pioneers (1-1) at LIU Sharks (1-1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Pioneers0771024
Sharks777021

at Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium • Brookville, NY

  • Date: September 13
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: Sunny
  • Game attendance: 2,504
  • Referee: Lance Carlen
  • TV announcers (NEC Front Row): Phil Constantino (play-by-play) and Jim Wright (analyst)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (14:48) LIU – Luca Stanzani 75-yard run, Will Johnson kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:12; LIU 7–0)
Second Quarter
  • (3:36) SHU – Mitchell Summers 14-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 12 plays, 99 yards, 6:54; Tied 7–7)
  • (0:56) LIU – O'Shawn Ross 1-yard run, Lance Maiberg kick (Drive: 8 plays, 53 yards, 2:39; LIU 14–7)
Third Quarter
  • (11:24) LIU – Jaylin Lewis 0-yard fumble recovery, Lance Maiberg kick (LIU 21–7)
  • (5:05) SHU – John Michalski 3-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards, 6:19; LIU 21–14)
Fourth Quarter
  • (12:15) SHU – Curtis Whiting 5-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 1 play, 5 yards, 0:00; Tied 21–21)
  • (0:00) SHU – Matt Kling 21-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 77 yards, 3:06; Sacred Heart 24–21)
StatisticsSHULIU
First downs2612
Total yards407208
Rushing yards214184
Passing yards19324
Passing: Comp–Att–Int14–19–23–10–0
Time of possession38:1021:50
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Sacred HeartPassingJack Snyder14/18, 193 yards, 2 INT
RushingMitchell Summers24 carries, 105 yards, TD
ReceivingKevin McGuire5 receptions, 88 yards
LIUPassingLuca Stanzani2/4, 14 yards
RushingO'Shawn Ross16 carries, 82 yards, TD
ReceivingJaron Kelley1 reception, 10 yards

at Norfolk State

Sacred Heart Pioneers (2-1) at Norfolk State Spartans (1-2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Pioneers7143731
Spartans7701428

at William "Dick" Price Stadium • Norfolk, VA

  • Date: September 20
  • Game time: 4:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C) • Wind: SW at 15 miles per hour (24 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 8,127
  • Referee: Javarro Edwards
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Ross Gordon (play-by-play), Don Carey (analyst) and Kendall Lanier (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (10:55) SHU – Jack Snyder 18-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 9 plays, 70 yards, 4:00; Sacred Heart 7-0)
  • (4:36) NORF – X'Zavion Evans 18-yard run, Evan Helfrich kick (Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:19; 7-7)
Second Quarter
  • (14:55) NORF – X'Zavion Evans 7-yard run, Evan Helfrich kick (Drive: 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:06; Norfolk State 14-7)
  • (2:42) SHU – Trey Eberhart III 28-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 8 plays, 71 yards, 3:05; 14-14)
  • (0:48) SHU – Mitchell Summers 22-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 3 plays, 29 yards, 1:06; Sacred Heart 21-14)
Third Quarter
  • (1:45) SHU – Matt Kling 19-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 52 yards, 6:47; Sacred Heart 24-14)
Fourth Quarter
  • (11:40) NORF – Kevon King 57-yard run, Evan Helfrich kick (Drive: 3 plays, 81 yards, 1:25; Sacred Heart 24-21)
  • (5:32) SHU – Jack Snyder 7-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 6 plays, 49 yards, 2:41; Sacred Heart 31-21)
  • (3:55) NORF – DreSean Kendrick 29-yard pass from Otto Kuhns, Evan Helfrich kick (Drive: 7 plays, 74 yards, 1:36; Sacred Heart 31-28)
StatisticsSHUNORF
First downs1829
Total yards390550
Rushing yards295210
Passing yards95340
Passing: Comp–Att–Int9–14–027–42–1
Time of possession34:3725:23
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Sacred HeartPassingJack Snyder8/13, 92 yards
RushingMitchell Summers26 carries, 119 yards, TD
ReceivingPayton Rhoades2 receptions, 46 yards
Norfolk StatePassingOtto Kuhns27/42, 340 yards, TD, INT
RushingKevon King11 carries, 72 yards, TD
ReceivingJJ Evans7 receptions, 113 yards

Delaware State

Delaware State Hornets (3-1) vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers (3-1) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Hornets14170031
Pioneers7138735

at Campus Field • Fairfield, CT

  • Date: September 27
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C)
  • Game attendance: 6,456
  • Referee: Jonathan Grande
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Randy Brochu (play-by-play), Freddie Coleman (analyst) and Jenna Reynolds (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (14:49) DSU – Marquis Gillis 75-yard run, Patrick Fisher-Butler kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:00; Delaware State 7–0)
  • (8:54) SHU – Mitchell Summers 4-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 5:55; Tied 7–7)
  • (6:09) DSU – Kaiden Bennett 4-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 2:45; Delaware State 14–7)
Second Quarter
  • (13:02) SHU – Matt Kling 31-yard field goal (Drive: 11 plays, 53 yards, 4:53; Delaware State 14–10)
  • (9:03) DSU – Marquis Gillis 2-yard run, Patrick Fisher-Butler kick (Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 3:59; Delaware State 21–10)
  • (5:50) SHU – Jack Snyder 15-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards, 3:05; Delaware State 21–17)
  • (5:39) DSU – Ryan Pellum Taylor 75-yard pass from Jayden Sauray, Patrick Fisher-Butler kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:11; Delaware State 28–17)
  • (1:55) DSU – Patrick Fisher-Butler 33-yard field goal (Drive: 5 plays, 12 yards, 2:52; Delaware State 31–17)
  • (0:00) SHU – Matt Kling 31-yard field goal (Drive: 10 plays, 61 yards, 1:55; Delaware State 31–20)
Third Quarter
  • (3:17) SHU – Jason Palmieri 41-yard pass from Jack Snyder, Tyler Picinic pass (Drive: 10 plays, 80 yards, 4:11; Delaware State 31–28)
Fourth Quarter
  • (6:44) SHU – Jason Palmieri 6-yard pass from Jack Snyder, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 15 plays, 55 yards, 7:19; Sacred Heart 35–31)
StatisticsDSUSHU
First downs1629
Total yards466456
Rushing yards253158
Passing yards213298
Passing: Comp–Att–Int13–19–028–36–0
Time of possession23:0936:40
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Delaware StatePassingJayden Sauray12/18, 207 yards, TD
RushingMarquis Gillis13 carries, 123 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingRyan Pellum Taylor2 receptions, 85 yards, TD
Sacred HeartPassingJack Snyder28/36, 298 yards, 2 TD
RushingMitchell Summers20 carries, 74 yards, TD
ReceivingMitchell Summers4 receptions, 93 yards

at Central Connecticut

Sacred Heart Pioneers (4-1) vs. Central Connecticut Blue Devils (2-3) – Game summary
Quarter1234OTTotal
Pioneers014714035
Blue Devils713015742

at Arute Field • New Britain, CT

  • Date: October 4
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
  • TV: NEC Front Row
StatisticsSHUCCSU
First downs2225
Total yards437509
Rushing yards219186
Passing yards218323
Passing: Comp–Att–Int17-2728-40
Time of possession25:3734:23
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Sacred HeartPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Central ConnecticutPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Howard

Howard Bison (3-2) vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers (4-2) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Bison770014
Pioneers03131632

at Campus Field • Fairfield, CT

  • Date: October 11
  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 65 °F (18 °C) • Wind: E at 9 miles per hour (14 km/h)
  • Game attendance: 3,231
  • Referee: Michael Davis
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Randy Brochu (play-by-play), Freddie Coleman (analyst) and Morgan Bedard (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
  • (2:02) HOW – Anthony Reagan Jr. 35-yard run, Matt Conord kick (Drive: 2 plays, 38 yards, 0:39; Howard 7–0)
Second Quarter
  • (2:05) HOW – Tyriq Starks 14-yard run, Matt Conord kick (Drive: 8 plays, 57 yards, 5:01; Howard 14–0)
  • (0:00) SHU – Matt Kling 49-yard field goal (Drive: 3 plays, 30 yards, 0:15; Howard 14–3)
Third Quarter
  • (14:48) SHU – Mitchell Summers 80-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 1 play, 75 yards, 0:12; Howard 14–10)
  • (6:20) SHU – Matt Kling 19-yard field goal (Drive: 9 plays, 82 yards, 4:36; Howard 14–13)
  • (0:54) SHU – Matt Kling 25-yard field goal (Drive: 8 plays, 26 yards, 3:25; Sacred Heart 16–14)
Fourth Quarter
  • (7:36) SHU – Payton Rhoades 15-yard pass from Jack Snyder, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 11 plays, 54 yards, 5:58; Sacred Heart 23–14)
  • (3:26) SHU – Mitchell Summers 49-yard run, Matt Kling kick (Drive: 2 plays, 48 yards, 0:50; Sacred Heart 30–14)
  • (3:04) SHU – Peter Schanne 0-yard safety (Sacred Heart 32–14)
StatisticsHOWSHU
First downs1221
Total yards233476
Rushing yards153329
Passing yards80147
Passing: Comp–Att–Int11–21–011–18–0
Time of possession29:2730:33
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
HowardPassingTyriq Starks11/21, 80 yards
RushingAnthony Reagan Jr.17 carries, 116 yards, TD
ReceivingAnthony Reagan Jr.4 receptions, 39 yards
Sacred HeartPassingJack Snyder11/18, 147 yards, TD
RushingMitchell Summers18 carries, 243 yards, 2 TD
ReceivingPayton Rhoades4 receptions, 71 yards, TD

at No. 4 Montana

Sacred Heart Pioneers (5-2) vs. No. 4 Montana Grizzlies (6-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Pioneers----0
No. 4 Grizzlies----0

at Washington–Grizzly Stadium • Missoula, MT

  • Date: October 18
  • Game time: 3:00 PM EDT
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsSHUMONT
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Sacred HeartPassing
Rushing
Receiving
MontanaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

New Haven

New Haven Chargers (0-0) vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers (5-3) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Chargers----0
Pioneers----0

at Campus Field • Fairfield, CT

  • Date: November 1
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EDT
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsNHSHU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
New HavenPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Sacred HeartPassing
Rushing
Receiving

VUL (NCCAA)

VUL Dragons (NCCAA) (0-0) vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Dragons (NCCAA)----0
Pioneers----0

at Campus Field • Fairfield, CT

  • Date: November 8
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EST
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsVULSHU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
VULPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Sacred HeartPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Merrimack

Merrimack Warriors (0-0) vs. Sacred Heart Pioneers (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Warriors----0
Pioneers----0

at Campus Field • Fairfield, CT

  • Date: November 15
  • Game time: 12:00 PM EST
  • TV: ESPN+
StatisticsMCSHU
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
MerrimackPassing
Rushing
Receiving
Sacred HeartPassing
Rushing
Receiving

at Villanova

Sacred Heart Pioneers (0-0) vs. Villanova Wildcats (0-0) – Game summary
Quarter1234Total
Pioneers----0
Wildcats----0

at Villanova Stadium • Villanova, PA

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 1:00 PM EDT
  • TV: FloFootball
StatisticsSHUVILL
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
Time of possession
TeamCategoryPlayerStatistics
Sacred HeartPassing
Rushing
Receiving
VillanovaPassing
Rushing
Receiving

Recruiting class

NamePositionHeightWeightHometownHigh School
Jackson BabitskyOL6-3265 Hudson, OH Hudson
Kevin BrightDL6-1251 Baltimore, MD Dundalk
Ashton DavisDB5-10175 Brandywine, MD Oxon Hill
Chase DeSantoOL6-4275 Wyoming, PA Wyoming Area
Steven DowdyWR6-0168 New York, NY Iona Prep
Joey HerbertOL6-3270 Chicago, IL Loyola
Christopher LeggettTE6-2225 New Windsor, NY Newburgh Free Academy
Dajuan MartinLB6-2208 Pleasantville, NJ Pleasantville
Naeem MillsRB6-0215 Hamden, CT Cheshire Academy

[3]

References

  1. ↑ "CAA Football Welcomes Sacred Heart University As Its Newest Member For 2026 Season" (Press release). CAA Football. July 22, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  2. ↑ "2025 Sacred Heart Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
  3. ↑ Carey, Samantha (December 5, 2024). "Football Welcomes Nine Players on National Signing Day". sacredheartpioneers. Retrieved February 3, 2025.
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