FOOTBALL DROPS HEARTBREAKER TO BRYANT 22-19

SMITHFIELD, RI - The Setters fell short in their upset attempt over Bryant as the game turned on a key 67-yard punt return late in the game giving Bryant good field position deep in Pace territory, setting up the go-ahead score for Bryant. The Pace football team falls to 1-4 overall and 1-3 in the NE-10, while Bryant improves to 4-0 overall and in conference play.

Bryant got on the board first in the game, using an 8-play, 50-yard drive midway through the opening quarter to put the game's first points on the board. The drive was capped off by a six-yard touchdown run by running back Lindsey Gamble.

The Setters sliced into the Bulldog lead as Pace was set up in great field position following a blocked punt and recovery by freshman Jesus Cardona (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) at the Bulldog 18-yard-line. Four plays later, Josh Trumper (Pine Grove, NJ/Toms River South) (Pine Grove, NJ/Toms River South) put the Setters on the board connecting on a 40-yard field goal.

Pace took the lead in the second quarter, capitalizing on a short punt by the Bulldogs as the Setter offense started its drive at the Bryant 46-yard-line. Quarterback Ray Gregg (Stony Point, NY/North Rockland) (Stony Point, NY/North Rockland) connected with Mike LaStella (Closter, NJ/Northern Valley Demarest) for a 22-yard pass completion on the first play of the drive to put Pace at the Bulldog 24-yard-line. Justin Polanis (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) (Port Jervis, NY/Port Jervis) caught an 11-yard pass and added three more runs, the final one capping off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run to give Pace a 10-7 lead at the break.

The teams played a scoreless third quarter as the Bulldogs missed a 41-yard field goal attempt on their opening drive and fumbled a punt return.

The final quarter featured a sea-saw battle as the Bulldogs opened the quarter, completing a drive from the third quarter with an 11-play, 57-yard drive capped off by a Charlie Granatell 12-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Buckley. The Setters took advantage of a couple of Bryant miscues to retake the lead as Lee Robinson (New Milford, CT/New Milford) (New Milford, CT/New Milford) forced a fumble at the Bulldog 27-yard-line that was recovered by Greg Brain (Westtown, NY/Minisink Valley) (Westtown, NY/Minisink Valley). Polanis had an 11-yard run on the second play of the drive. The Setters took back the lead as Gregg hit LaStella on a fade pattern for a 15-yard TD pass to put the Setters in front 17-14. On the ensuing kickoff, the Bulldogs' Jerell Smith fumbled the ball, recovered it in the end zone, stepped over the goal line and then back, downing the ball, giving the Setters a safety and a 19-14 advantage.

The Setter would punt on their next possession following the safety but the Bulldogs' Chris Wohlheter would return the kick 67 yards to the Pace 11-yard-line. Three plays later, Granatell would push across the goal line to put Bryant back in the lead at 20-19. Bryant would go for two and convert it as Granatell hit Joey Brito with 4:19 left in the game and Bryant ahead by three. Pace would fail to get a first down on their next possession and the Bulldogs would run out the clock, escaping with a 22-19 victory.

Gregg would finish 8-for-13 for 87 yards, while Polanis totaled 54 yards on 31 carries. LaStella hauled in half of Gregg's completions, totaled four receptions for 45 yards and the TD. On the defensive side of the ball, Joe Streany (Croton, NY/Croton) recorded nine total tackles and recovered a fumble. Jon Jones (Dover, NH/Bridgton Academy) also finished the day with nine tackles, while Mike LaMonica (Beachwood, NJ/Toms River) tallied seven tackles.

The Setters return to action next Saturday, October 6 for University Fest when the Setters will host the Falcons of Bentley College for a 12:00 pm kickoff at Pace Field on Pace's Pleasantville campus.