PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Pace University football team held a 16-15 lead midway through the third quarter, but the Setters were unable to hold on, falling 35-16 to Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) at Pace Stadium on Saturday in Northeast-10 Conference action. Junior wide receiver
Tyler Mason (Mohegan Lake, NY/Walter Panas) was named Homecoming MVP after totaling 106 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in the game in front of a sold out crowd of 1,615 fans.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams went scoreless in the first quarter, but the Setters had the ball to open up the second frame.
- Sitting with 4th-and-11 on their own 24, the Setters elected to fake the punt, snapping it directly to Mason, who found a huge hole to his left and went 33 yards before being pushed out of bounds at the SCSU 43.
- The Setters took their time getting down the field, rushing the ball seven more times before being stopped at the 12-yard line.
- Freshman
Pat Davis (Forked River, NJ/Lacey Township) lined up for a 30-yard field goal, which he put through the uprights to put Pace up, 3-0.
- Southern Connecticut responded with a long drive of its own, as the Owls went 84 yards on 11 plays to score a touchdown and take a 7-3 lead.
- Quarterback Raymond Catapano rushed it in from three yards out to give the Owls their first lead of the game.
- The game continued to heat up, as the Setters quickly returned the favor.
- Pace called for a flea flicker, executed perfectly by junior quarterback
Jason Habash (San Jose, CA/Leland), who hit Mason streaking down the right sideline for a 73-yard touchdown to put Pace on top, 9-7.
- The Owls' next drive was nearly halted early when senior defensive lineman
Gavin Maher (Stony Point, NY/North Rockland) hit Catapano on his blind side and jarred the ball loose, but an SCSU lineman fell on the ball to keep possession.
- SCSU kept its drive moving, and quarterback Robert Nittolo subbed in for Catapano for one play, throwing a 17-yard touchdown to Mark Thomas in the front-left corner of the end zone to put the Owls back up, 15-9.
- The Setters received the ball to start the second half, and they once again put together a slow, methodical drive.
- Habash hit freshman receiver
Phyll Thomas (New London, CT/Bridgton Academy) early in the drive for 17 yards on 3rd-and-6 to keep the drive going.
- A 12-yard catch by junior tight end
Marvin Jean Baptiste (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) kept the chains moving.
- Senior tailback
Michael Scotman (White Plains, NY/White Plains) kept grinding for tough yards and helped Pace get all the way down the field.
- Scotman finished the drive going untouched to the left for a two-yard score to make it a 16-15 lead for Pace to cap off a 16-play, 75-yard drive to open the half.
- Once again, the Owls managed to come right back with a long drive of their own, going 14 plays and 75 yards to take the lead back.
- Devante Jenkins barely kept his feet in bounds in the back of the end zone, catching a 16-yard touchdown pass from Catapano to take a 21-16 advantage with just over three minutes left in the third.
- Pace was unable to get anything going on its next drive, and was faced with 4th-and-5 on their own 23.
- The Setters tried another fake punt, but sophomore punter
Nick Fountis (Bellport, NY/Bellport) was intercepted by Vochan Fowler, who took it back 26 yard for a touchdown to make it a 29-16 game.
- The Owls had the ball to start the fourth, and did their best to run off as much time as possible. After a 17-play, 93-yard drive, they increased their lead to 35-16.
- Eli Parks rushed it in from 18 yards out to finish a drive that lasted 9:12.
PACE LEADERS
- Mason caught a 73-yard touchdown pass, and rushed for 33 yards on Pace's first fake punt, earning him Homecoming MVP honors.
- Habash went 9-for-14 for 111 yards and a touchdown in the game. He also rushed once for six yards.
- Scotman led the Setters with 49 yards on the ground, finding the end zone for his third score of the year.
- Junior safety
Myles Martin (Neptune, NJ/Neptune/Wagner College ) had a strong day on the defensive side of the ball, making seven tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and breaking up two passes.
- Junior linebacker
Matthew Corrie (South Setauket, NY/Ward Melville) matched Martin with seven tackles.
- Maher registered 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
- Junior linebacker
David Grant (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) matched Maher with 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack, totaling six tackles on the day.
SOUTHERN CONNECTICUT
- Catapano went 13-of-21, passing for 164 yards and a score, while also rushing 16 times for 59 yards and another touchdown.
- Fowler went 138 yards on 26 totes, and also had a pick-six on a fake punt.
- Eli Parks rushed 13 times for 71 yards and a touchdown.
- Thomas and Jenkins each caught a touchdown pass for the Owls.
- Corey Chaffee had an interception for the Owls late in the second quarter.
- John Strezo had five tackles, one for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
WHAT'S NEXT?
- The Setters stay in Pleasantville to take on Merrimack College on Saturday, Oct. 15, for another Northeast-10 Conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at Pace Stadium.
For all information regarding Pace University Football, log on to
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