Sacred Heart Rushes Past New Haven 35-20

**Sacred Heart’s Ground Game Dominates New Haven in 35-20 Rivalry Victory**

**MILFORD, Conn. –** The Sacred Heart University Pioneers asserted their dominance on the ground Saturday afternoon, trampling cross-state rival University of New Haven with a 229-yard rushing attack en route to a decisive 35-20 victory at Campus Field. The win, an important early-season non-conference triumph, moves the Pioneers to 2-0 on the young season, while the Chargers fall to 1-1.

From the outset, Sacred Heart’s offense established its physical presence, controlling the line of scrimmage and dictating the tempo. Junior running back Mitchell Summers was the spearhead of the Pioneers’ ground assault, churning out 93 yards on 18 carries and finding the end zone twice. Fellow running back Malik Grant also gashed the Chargers’ defense, adding 62 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Jack Snyder showcased his dual-threat capabilities, leading the offensive charge. Snyder not only contributed a rushing touchdown himself but also connected with wide receiver Mar’Ques Dent for a 56-yard touchdown reception, bringing his total offensive yards through the air and on the ground to a significant mark. Dent finished the day with 56 receiving yards, all on his pivotal touchdown catch.

“Our offensive line set the tone early, and our backs ran with incredible passion,” said Sacred Heart Head Coach Mark Nofri after the game. “When you can run the ball like that against a talented team like New Haven, it opens up everything else. I’m proud of how physical we were on both sides of the ball today.”

New Haven, a formidable NCAA Division II program, struggled to match Sacred Heart’s physicality up front. Chargers quarterback Connor Degenhardt put forth a valiant effort, throwing for 236 yards and a touchdown, often under duress. Wide receiver Bryce Sebastian was Degenhardt’s primary target, hauling in 8 receptions for 94 yards. Running back Kevon Jones added a rushing touchdown for the Chargers, but the team’s overall ground game was stifled by the Pioneers’ defense.

On the defensive side for Sacred Heart, the effort was led by senior linebacker Jalen Harmon, who was a force all over the field, registering a game-high 10 tackles. DeAndre Byrd was right behind him with 9 tackles, consistently disrupting New Haven’s offensive rhythm and limiting big plays.

For New Haven, defensive lineman Chris Liggio stood out with a strong performance, recording 8 tackles and a sack, trying to ignite a defensive stand for the Chargers.

“Sacred Heart played a great game, hats off to them,” said New Haven Head Coach Chris Pincince. “They controlled the line of scrimmage, especially with their run game, and that’s where the game was won. We’ve got some things to clean up, but this is a competitive team, and we’ll learn from this and get ready for conference play.”

The victory marks an important statement for Sacred Heart as they prepare for their Northeast Conference (NEC) schedule, proving their readiness for a challenging season ahead. For New Haven, the loss serves as an early litmus test against an FCS opponent and highlights areas for improvement as they look towards their NE10 conference slate.

Sacred Heart will look to continue its strong start next Saturday, September 16, when they travel to face Morgan State. New Haven will return home to DellaCamera Stadium to host Franklin Pierce on the same day, September 16, hoping to rebound in their NE10 opener.

For more information on Sacred Heart football, visit sacredheartpioneers.com.
For more information on New Haven football, visit newhavenchargers.com.