With Sacred Heart nursing a 20-17 lead with just over five minutes to play in the contest, Athans broke the game open with a school-record 76-yard punt return for a touchdown as the Pioneers went on to record a 27-24 win over Central Connecticut State in New Britain. For Athans, a first team all-NEC return specialist in 2002, it marked his second career punt return touchdown and broke the record held by former teammate Kiheme Cowan, who brought back a punt 71 yards for a score on September 22, 2000 against St. John’s. He also returned the opening kickoff of the second half 62 yards to the CCSU 24, setting up a Greg Tonzola field goal that gave SHU a 13-3 lead at the time. Athans also excelled on the other side of the ball, notching one of his seven tackles on special teams coverage.