Stonehill College’s football program will open the 2026 campaign at home, welcoming Bryant of the Colonial Athletic Association for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Saturday, the second consecutive August start in program history.
A New Chapter Under Gardner
Head coach Eli Gardner, now in his eleventh season, brings a 41‑52 record that has lifted him into second place in the program’s varsity era. His teams have posted winning marks when leading at halftime and after three quarters, and they have thrived when scoring 20 or more points, a trend that bodes well for the upcoming schedule.
Quarterback Jack O'Connell anchors the offense, sitting tenth in program history with 23 touchdown passes and ninth with 2,555 career yards. The senior’s presence adds stability to a unit that also features standout special‑teams contributors such as Logan Chenette, a preseason watch‑list candidate for the FCS Punter of the Year Award, and Tyler Bannon, who earned the Coach Gary Richardson Special Teams Champion honor.
Defensive and Academic Excellence
The defense has been a cornerstone, ranking high in turnovers lost and passing‑efficiency defense in recent seasons. That unit helped the Skyhawks secure a 20‑10 victory in the 2025 finale, where running back Joshua Roberson rushed for 128 yards and Domenic Scalese nailed a 48‑yard field goal.
Academic distinction also marked the program, with 37 players earning NEC Honor Roll recognition in the fall of 2025, including a junior defensive back who maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA. Joshua Troiano’s induction into the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society highlighted the blend of athletic and scholarly achievement.
Beyond the field, Stonehill is completing its transition to NCAA Division I within the Northeast Conference, a move that will bring new rivalries, including matchups against FBS opponents Massachusetts and Ohio for the first time in program history.