PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – The Pace University football team continued its winning ways at home on Saturday with a 20-17 triumph over Bentley University at Pace Stadium. The victory moves the Setters to 3-0 on their home turf this season while handing the Falcons their first Northeast-10 Conference loss of the season (3-1).

Inside the Numbers
Amongst many factors in a dramatic win, Pace was led by a powerful rushing that rattled off 176 yards on 45 total carries. Jhalen Bien-Aime (Dorchester, MA/Bridgton Academy), who came into the contest as the fourth-leading rusher in the country, carried the ball 32 times for a game-high 139 yards. Freshman Alex Benson (Brookhaven, Miss./Beacon (N.Y.)) also provided a spark, tallying 34 yards on just five carries.

Defense and special teams were also large contributors to Pace's success. Defensive back B'Jon Couther (San Lorenzo, CA/San Lorenzo) forced a pair of fumbles, grabbed an interception in the end zone and finished the game with a team-high nine tackles. Sophomore kicker Pat Davis (Forked River, NJ/Lacey Township) was perfect on both of his field-goal attempts, including a career-best 43-yarder to give Pace a 10-7 lead in the second quarter.

How it Happened
In a contest that went down to the final seconds, it was special teams that provided some of the game's most crucial plays. In addition to Davis' field goals, the Setters also executed perfectly on a pair of key fakes and blocked a Bentley punt.

First up, it was a fake punt that extended Pace's first scoring drive of the game. Junior punter Nick Fountis (Bellport, NY/Bellport) took his usual deep snap, but instead of sending it back to Bentley, the former quarterback found a wide open David Grant (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) for a gain of 15 yards. Five plays later, Bien-Aime plunged in from one yard out to tie the game at 7-7 with 12:13 left in the second quarter. Fountis also launched a career-best 70-yard punt in the first quarter.

The next two significant special teams plays came in the third quarter with Pace leading 10-7. After Chukwuemeka Njoku-Obi (Newark, NJ/North Star Academy) blocked a Bentley punt, the Blue and Gold found themselves with great field goal position. Five plays later, facing a fourth-and-seven from the Falcons' 19-yard line, the Setters shocked the Falcons with a fake field goal. Sophomore holder/quarterback Brandon Simmons (Willingboro, NJ/Holy Cross Academy) fielded the snap, rolled out, and found senior tight end Prince Unaegbu (Boston, MA/Brighton) in the end zone to give Pace a 17-7 edge with 9:51 left in the third.

After the visitors cut into the lead with a field goal near the end of the third quarter, Pace responded nicely on its next drive. Eleven consecutive run plays put the Setters in position for a what ended up being a game-winning 23-yard field goal with 12:22 remaining in the fourth.

Bentley once again trimmed the edge to just one score, 20-17, on a touchdown pass with 1:17 left in the game. Following a three and out from Pace, the Falcons earned one more possession with 55 seconds remaining in regulation.

Bentley moved the ball to the Setters' 32-yard line with just five seconds on the clock before a missed 49-yard field goal attempt sealed the game for the home team.

Up Next
The Setters will enjoy a bye week before hitting the road to Merrimack on Saturday, October 14.