The Sacred Heart University (SHU) football team began its 2024 campaign with a loss against Delaware State University, falling short 17-15. This game was the first of a new chapter in which SHU football will compete as an independent program.
“Our focus is one game at a time but let’s try and win as many as possible because we could have a shot at getting an at-large bid to the FCS [Football Championship Subdivision] playoffs,” said head coach Mark Nofri.
Only 14 teams across the country get an at-large bid to the FCS playoffs. These 14 teams are selected by an FCS playoff committee. Despite the added pressure of competing independently, the players remain confident.
Photo of Senior Matt Kling during Sacred Hearts win over St. Anselm on Saturday
Source: Instagram, @shufb_
“If I’m being honest, I don’t think anything really changed,” said Tyreke Brown, a graduate student. “I feel as though everybody has the same mindset and everybody has the same mission. I think we all want to win at the end of the day, and I think regardless of if we were in a conference, the end goal would be winning to get to the playoffs.”
Brown helped lead a strong defense in their opener, contributing a sack and a tackle for loss. The biggest issue week one was on the other side of the ball, specifically in the red zone.
“We saw a lot of positive things in terms of the kids playing hard, they played the whole 60 minutes, and they didn’t quit when they got down in the fourth quarter. I think they have great attitudes; they pull for one another, and again we moved the ball up down the field,” said Nofri. “When we got into the red zone, we need to cash in a little bit more with touchdowns instead of field goals, and I think it’s a different outcome.”
There is reason to believe the offense will break through in the coming games, largely in part to the veteran running back tandem with graduate student Jalen Madison and senior Xavier Leigh. Madison rushed the ball 11 times and accumulated 54 yards, while Leigh added 91 yards on 14 attempts and scored the lone Sacred Heart touchdown.
“We have a great relationship. I feel like we’re a great one-two punch because we both do things a little bit different, he’s obviously way faster than I am and I can really run the ball between the tackles, so I feel like we complement each other well,” said Madison.
Having veteran leaders on this team will be a crucial factor as the younger pieces develop. John Michalski is starting games at quarterback this year and is just a sophomore. Prior to the week one matchup, he had never thrown a pass at the collegiate level.
“We have a new quarterback, so I really think you know just him getting comfortable building confidence and I think once he does that we’ll be good,” said Madison.
Coach Nofri also displayed his confidence in the young quarterback.
“Do what coach [Kevin] Duke and coach [Matt] Gardner are telling you to do, don’t try to do too much, and make the big play. You’re a good player, we know you’re a good player, trust your reads, trust what they’re teaching you and they’re giving you and take what they’re giving you,” said Nofri.
In a season of moving pieces and new beginnings, SHU football will look to right the ship in the coming weeks. SHU’s next game is Sept. 14 at home against Georgetown.
Sacred Heart Athletics contributed to this article.
Assistant Sports Editor Colin Macleod contributed to this article.
