Chestnut Tabbed as Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week

FAIRFIELD, Conn – Sacred Heart first-year running back Julius Chestnut has been honored as the Northeast Conference's Rookie of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.

Chestnut shined in his collegiate debut in Saturday night's season-opening 35-6 victory over Lafayette, finishing with 57 yards rushing on 12 carries and two touchdowns. The rookie pushed his way into the endzone on a fourth-and-goal play from the one-yard line to give the Pioneers a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter. He later added his second score of the game, breaking off a 31-yard run to pay dirt on the opening play of the fourth quarter. He also tallied two tackles on special teams.

Two Pioneers were also recognized as NEC Prime Performers for week one.

Senior tailback Jordan Meachum was recognized as a prime performer after rushing for a game and career-high 132 yards on 17 carries. He averaged 7.8 yards per rush, including a 54-yard burst late in the second quarter, which helped set up SHU's third touchdown and give the Pios a 21-3 lead in the closing seconds before halftime.

Fifth-year senior Andrew O'Neill had nine receptions for 103 yards (both game-highs) and one touchdown, which came on a sensational leaping 10-yard reception in the back of the endzone on SHU's opening drive of the game. O'Neill added a 21-yard reception on a fourth down play in the second quarter, as well as a 19-yard reception and 15-yard catch, both on third down-and-12 situations in the second quarter.

Sacred Heart returns to action this Saturday, Sept. 8 on the road at Bucknell. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will be streamed live exclusively on watchstadium.com.