PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Pace University football team rushed for a total of 209 yards on Saturday, but the Setters dropped a Northeast-10 Conference defensive battle to American International College (AIC) by a score of 15-10 at Pace Stadium.
Prior to the start of Saturday's matchup, the Setters honored nine graduating seniors. Each received a poster and flowers, and were joined at the 50-yard line by their families, friends, and Director of Athletics Mark Brown. Check out the photo gallery from the Senior Day ceremony by
clicking here. The Setters immediately got off to a hot start when senior safety
Jamir Gee (Paterson, NJ/Monroe College) took the opening kickoff 50 yard to the AIC 45-yard line. The Setters marched down the field, but a nine-play, 42-yard drive was halted at the three-yard line. Freshman
Nick Fountis (Bellport, NY/Bellport) then made a 20-yard field goal to put Pace up, 3-0.
AIC began the ensuing drive on its own 21-yard line, but it was not long before the Yellow Jackets got on the board as well. On a first-and-10 from the AIC 42, Maurice Easterling burst through the line and took the ball 58 yards for a touchdown. Sophomore
Zach Downey (Sandown, NH/Timberlane) then blocked the extra point, leaving the Setters down by just three at 6-3.
On the Yellow Jackets' next possession, they drove down to the Pace 11-yard line before scoring once again. Quarterback Kwame Jarvis found Reco Facey on the screen to the right sideline, and Facey took it the rest of the way for the touchdown. The Setters once again came up clutch on the extra point, this time getting a block by senior
Tyler Owens (Salem, NJ/Salem), keeping the score at 12-3.
Late in the second quarter, the Setters strung together a 13-play, 75 yard drive, leading to their second score of the game. The ground game worked wonderfully for the Setters on the drive, as they ran 12 run plays with four different ball carriers to eventually punch the ball into the end zone.
Delaney Wallace (Moorestown, NJ/Moorestown) took the scoring carry on third-and-goal from the one-yard line, and the extra point by Fountis cut the deficit to 12-10. That score held through the halftime break and well into the third quarter.
AIC took over control with 5:13 to play in the third frame at the Pace 43-yard line. The Yellow Jackets took nine plays to go 31 yards, capping off the drive with a 29-yard field goal to improve their lead to 15-10.
Gee once again flashed his kick returning prowess, taking the kickoff 51 yards to the AIC 40. The Setters moved the drive down to the AIC 22, but Fountis missed a field goal wide right from 39 yards out.
The Setters once again took over in good field position, starting a drive at their own 39 with 11:40 to play in regulation. A 37-yard run by Wallace, followed by a 14-yard scamper by junior
Michael Scotman (White Plains, NY/White Plains) gave the Setters a first-and-goal opportunity from the one-yard line. The next three plays resulted in a loss of two yards, leaving the Setters with fourth-and-goal on the three-yard line, still trailing by five. The Setters elected to go for it, putting Gee in the backfield to take the snap. Gee found a hole on the right side, hit a wall, and dove for the goal line. It appeared as if the ball crossed the plane, but the referees ruled Gee down just inches shy of a touchdown, giving the ball back to AIC.
AIC was able to run much of the clock down on their next few drives, helping the Yellow Jackets hold on late for a tight 15-10 final.
Scotman led the Setters with 79 rushing yards on 18 carries in Saturday's contest, while Wallace carried the ball 20 times for 74 yards and a touchdown. Gee also took seven carries, resulting in 34 yards.
Linebacker
Matthew Corrie (South Setauket, NY/Ward Melville) led the way on defense with 13 tackles to improve on his team-leading total. He also added two tackles for loss. Defensive tackle
Jah'Sheem Martin (Freeport, NY/Freeport) made five tackles, as well as 1.5 for a loss of yards. Owens tacked on a sack late in the game to go with his blocked extra point.
In addition to getting involved on the offense, Gee returned four kickoffs for 143, including returns of 50 and 51 yards. He also took five punt returns for 40 yards. On defense, he made five tackles and broke up a pass.
The Setters are set to travel to Saint Anselm College next Saturday, Nov. 14, as part of Northeast-10 Conference Championship Weekend. Kickoff has been set for 12 p.m.
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