BROOKVILLE, N.Y. -- The Long Island University football team returns to campus on Saturday, Sept. 19 for a Homecoming matchup vs. Villanova, the second home game of the 2026 campaign. Opening kickoff at Shark Stadium is scheduled for 12 p.m.
The game will be televised digitally on NEC Front Row, with veteran college sports broadcaster & producer Mike Murabito and former college coach Jim Wright on the call.
Saturday's coverage will include a Live Tailgate Show from Nuti Park inside Shark Stadium, hosted by Portland Trailblazers play-by-play voice Travis Demers ('03). The show will feature several marquee guests including Head Football Coach
Ron Cooper and Head Men's Basketball Coach Rod Strickland, and will also air live on NEC Front Row from 10-11 a.m.
The morning's festivities also feature an Alumni & Parents Club Fall Breakfast at Roosevelt House.
Fans can
click here for more information and ticket options.
Quick Facts
-UPCOMING SCHEDULE: The Sharks will host Homecoming vs. Villanova on Saturday. Last season, LIU boasted a 4-1 record at Shark Stadium. They'll look for more of the same success while hitting the home field in two of the next three games. The lone upcoming road trip will be Saturday, Sept. 26, when LIU faces off against FIU.
-HOME OPENER REWIND: LIU held its home opener last week, taking on UAlbany on Sept. 12. The game featured the Sharks' longest rush of a season, a 30-yard run by
Callum Brent midway through the first quarter.
Luca Stanzani completed 11 of 19 passes for 78 yards and one touchdown – a 10-play run to
Joseph Young shortly before the first half ended.
Nathan Gray also went on to score the Sharks' second touchdown of the game with 2:28 left in the fourth.
-NEC RECOGNITION: Following Brent's impressive rush, the sophomore punter was awarded the NEC's Special Teams Player of the Week honor. His strong showing also included an average of 54 yards per punt in the game. Additionally,
Rafael Fasolino was named an NEC Prime Performer for the second time this season after leading the Sharks' defense in tackles for the second time in three weeks – eight total (four solo & four assisted).
