PLEASANTVILLE, NY – The Pace University football team battled back from a 27-0 first half, utilizing several American International turnovers, but in the end came up a little short as the Setters fell to the Yellow Jackets 48-27 in a Northeast-10 Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Pace Field.
After spotting AIC (2-1, 2-0 NE-10) the early lead midway through the second quarter, Pace (0-3, 0-2, NE-10) rallied capping a quick three play drive with a 27-yard touchdown run from freshman Delaney Wallace (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) to get on the board.
On the next Yellow Jackets' drive, AIC was penalized on successive plays, pushing them into the shadow of their own goalposts with a second and 25 situation from the five yard line. Sophomore Tyler Owens (Salem, NJ/Salem) (Salem, NJ/Salem) forced a fumble from Shervon Barthelmy at the seven and recovered at the six. Four plays later, freshman quarterback Antwan Washington (Belle Glade, FL/Glades Central) (Belle Glade, FL/Glades Central) rushed it in from one yard out to cut the lead to 27-13. AIC would come back with a touchdown on their next drive to make it 34-13.
Pace used another Yellow Jackets' turnover late in the first half to close the gap. After the AIC defense forced a Setters punt, Stephan Davis muffed the catch. Sophomore Justin Fred (Staten Island, NY/Susan Wagner) (Staten Island, NY/Susan Wagner) pounced on the loose ball to give Pace possession and a late hit by the Yellow Jackets added 15 yards the play to give the Setters a goal-to-go situation at the AIC nine yard line. After a Wallace rush moved the ball to the six, Washington hooked up with junior running back Blair Wynn (Englewood, NJ/St. Joseph Regional) in the flat on the right side and Wynn did the rest, crossing the goal line to slice the lead to 34-20 at the half.
In the second half, Pace had a pair of chances off two AIC turnovers, but was unable to convert as the score remained steady into the fourth. After the Yellow Jackets fired the first salvo of the quarter on a pass from Kevin Arduino to Davis, the Setters responded immediately with a four play, 75-yard drive in just over two minutes, capped by a 35-yard touchdown pass from Washington to junior Cameron Davis (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL/Providence) (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL/Providence) to close the margin to 41-27. That was as close as Pace would get, however, and AIC added a touchdown three minutes later to complete the scoring.
For the game, Washington completed 17 out of 32 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Wallace carried the ball 23 times for 86 yards and a TD while Davis hauled in six catches for 84 yards and a score. Sophomore receiver Kyle Johnson (Elmont, NY/Elmont Memorial) contributed with five receptions for 50 yards.
The contest also marked Military Appreciation Day for Pace football. Prior to the game, four members of the Student Veterans Association joined the captains on the field for the coin toss. Mario Alvear (Army), Narika Barn (Navy), Jason Roth (Air Force) and Emilio Feliciano (Marines) were on hand at midfield as the referee used a special coin for the flip. At halftime, fans were entertained by the Pace University Drumline.
The Setters are in action next on Saturday, September 28 when they head to Merrimack for a 1:00 pm kickoff in North Andover, MA. AIC plays under the lights for their next game on Friday, September 27 when they host Assumption at 7:00 pm.
