Venue & Broadcast
Location: Bethpage Federal Credit Union Stadium, Brookville, New York
Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
Surface: Artificial turf
Capacity: ~6,000
Broadcast: ESPN+ (streaming) & local radio via Varsity Network App
Weather Outlook (early-week forecast)
Temperature at kickoff: ~67°F (19°C)
Conditions: Mostly sunny, light northwest wind (5–8 mph)
Precipitation chance: <10%
Impact: Ideal football weather — minimal wind impact for passing/kicking games.
Injury & Availability Report
(NEC programs often release limited official injury info — monitor late-week updates)
Sacred Heart: No confirmed starters ruled out after 12–7 win over Stonehill; QB John Michalski healthy, RB Jalen Madison available. OL depth intact.
LIU: No major injuries reported after 55–0 loss at Florida; QB Ethan Greenwood and RB Keyon Ingram expected to start. WR Michael Love healthy.
Key Note: Both teams expected to be near full strength barring late-week scratches.
Recent Form
Sacred Heart Pioneers:
W 12–7 vs. Stonehill — defense held opponent under 200 total yards; offense leaned on run game.
Strength: Physical rushing attack (180.2 ypg in 2024), disciplined pass defense (131.4 ypg allowed).
Concern: Passing efficiency (111.0 ypg in 2024) — must diversify attack.
LIU Sharks:
L 55–0 @ Florida — overmatched by SEC opponent; offense limited to under 150 total yards.
Strength: Balanced run-pass potential when in NEC play (188.4 rush ypg in 2024).
Concern: Pass defense (189.9 ypg allowed in 2024) and slow starts against physical fronts.
Series History
All-time: LIU leads recent series 2–1 since joining NEC.
Last Meeting: Nov. 9, 2024 — LIU won 28–7 in Fairfield, forcing multiple turnovers.
Trend: Home team has won 2 of the last 3 matchups.
Key Player Matchups
QB Duel:
Sacred Heart — John Michalski: 1,204 pass yds, 5 TD, 6 INT in 2024; efficient game manager.
LIU — Ethan Greenwood: 921 pass yds, 6 TD, 2 INT in 2024; dual-threat capability.
Ground Game:
SHU RB Jalen Madison: 948 rush yds in 2024; workhorse back.
LIU RB Keyon Ingram: Limited touches vs. Florida but key in NEC play.
Receiving Threats:
SHU WR Ethan Hilliman: 315 yds in 2024; possession target.
LIU WR Michael Love: 659 yds in 2024; deep-ball specialist.
Defensive Edge:
SHU’s front seven vs. LIU OL — Pioneers’ DQ Watkins (6 sacks in 2024) could disrupt Greenwood’s rhythm.
Betting Trends
Sacred Heart is 4-2 ATS in last 6 NEC games.
LIU is 3-7 ATS in last 10 home games.
Last 3 meetings have gone Under the total.
SHU has covered in 2 of the last 3 head-to-head matchups.
Game Odds
Sacred Heart Pioneers – 3.5
LIU Sharks 44.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 12, 2025
