NEC Preseason Coaches Poll Announcement
NEC Football Preseason Team Announcement

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (July 24, 2024) – The Stonehill College football program has been picked to finish fifth in the Northeast Conference preseason poll by the league's seven head coaches, and rising junior defensive back Jordan Irvine has been selected to the preseason All-NEC team the Conference announced at its Social Media Day at the Corona Beach Club at MetLife Stadium this morning.

Stonehill, set to open its third NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision season in September, is picked fifth in the preseason coaches' poll, which is led by reigning NEC Champions and NCAA I FCS Championship participant Duquesne University with five of seven first place votes. Saint Francis University is second with a first place vote, while Robert Morris University is picked third as the Colonials return to the NEC after a five-year hiatus, with Long Island University fourth and receiving the remaining first place vote. Wagner College and Central Connecticut State University follow Stonehill in the poll in sixth and seventh, respectively.

Stonehill is represented on the All-NEC preseason team for the second-straight year with Irvine's selection for the first time in his career a breakout sophomore season for the Skyhawks in 2023. Irvine started seven of the eight games he played for Stonehill during the 2023 season in which it posted a 5-5 record overall, including 4-3 in the NEC to finish tied for second in the Conference behind only Duquesne, who the Skyhawks defeated 33-28 in Pittsburgh to hand the Dukes their lone NEC setback of the season last November. Irvine finished fifth on the team with 30 tackles, 20 solo, including 0.5 for a loss of a yard, an interception, pass breakup and fumble recovery.

Irvine's key stats seemed to come in key moments for Stonehill, recovering a fumble late in the fourth quarter to secure a 23-20 road win at Georgetown University in his first game played of the season, and then adding an interception as the Skyhawks forced four turnovers in the 33-28 triumph at Duquesne. He has totaled 34 tackles (23 solo) in 13 career games, with the 0.5 tackles for loss, interception, three pass breakups and fumble recovery. Irvine totaled a career-high six tackles, including a career-best five solo, and a pass breakup against Saint Francis last September, a total he matched in the Skyhawks season finale win over LIU (three solo) in November.

Stonehill, under the direction of head coach Eli Gardner, in his ninth year as head coach and 16^th year at the College overall, opens its 2024 season on Saturday, September 7, when it visits Stony Brook University at 3:30 p.m. The Skyhawks home opener is scheduled for Saturday, September 21, when it hosts Sacred Heart University for a non-conference matchup as part of Family Weekend at W.B. Mason Stadium at 1 p.m. Stonehill's NEC opener is two weeks later when it hosts Wagner College following a bye week on Saturday, October 5, at 1 p.m.

Season tickets for the 2024 Stonehill football season are on sale now at stonehillskyhawks.com/tickets for $50.00 for general admission adults and $35.00 for students and senior citizens. Single game tickets are also available for purchase now as well for $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students and senior citizens.

For the latest on Stonehill Athletics, follow the Skyhawks via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and check out its all new website, powered by Sidearm Sports, at stonehillskyhawks.com.