Early burst leads Sacred Heart over Valparaiso 42-14

FAIRFIELD, Conn. -- RJ Noel threw two touchdown passes and ran for one more, and Sacred Heart scored 28 points in the second quarter on Saturday to pull away from Valparaiso 42-14.

Tied at 7 after the first quarter, Sacred Heart (2-0) took the lead for good when Jordan Meachum punched in a 1-yard run to cap off a six-play, 70-yard drive. After a failed fourth-down attempt from Valparaiso, the Pioneers needed just three plays to reach pay dirt when Ose Imeokparia scored from 25 yards out.

Noel, who passed for 210 yards and rushed for 42, threw touchdown passes to Jaylin Deveau and Byron Barney on the next two possessions to put the game out of reach before halftime.

Jimmy Seewald passed for 137 yards, two touchdowns and an interception for Valparaiso (0-2). Jean Rene had 64 yards receiving and a touchdown grab.

Sacred Heart held Valparaiso to 11 yards rushing on 26 attempts.