Sacred Heart Pioneers

Experienced Sacred Heart wants to rebound in NEC

Published Mar. 30, 2017 12:54 p.m. ET

(STATS) - Sacred Heart wants to carry over its out-of-conference success into its Northeast Conference schedule this year.

The Pioneers enjoyed a fourth straight winning season at 6-5 a year ago, but they were 5-0 out of conference and just 1-5 in the NEC.

This year, coach Mark Nofri's squad will play five times at home in an 11-game schedule, including the season opener against Stetson on Sept. 2. In addition, the Pioneers will host NEC opponents Central Connecticut State (Sept. 30), Duquesne (Oct. 28) and Wagner (Nov. 18) as well as Dartmouth (Oct. 14).

The Pioneers face the difficult task of replacing veteran quarterback RJ Noel and linebacker James Rentz, but they will return nine starters on offense and seven on defense.

2017 Sacred Heart Schedule

Sept. 2, Stetson

Sept. 9, at Lafayette

Sept. 16, at Stony Brook

Sept. 23, at Bucknell

Sept. 30, Central Connecticut State*

Oct. 14, Dartmouth

Oct. 21, at Robert Morris*

Oct. 28, Duquesne*

Nov. 4, at Bryant*

Nov. 11, at Saint Francis*

Nov. 18, Wagner*