RINDGE, N.H. – Setter grad student quarterback
Carlton Aiken (Gibbstown, N.J./Paulsboro), the reigning NE10 Offensive Player of the Week, put together the greatest game of his already sterling Blue and Gold career as the Pace University football squad (5-3, 3-2 NE10) scored its second consecutive win, and third in the last four games, in 50-7 triumph at Franklin Pierce (1-7, 1-5 NE10).
Aiken finished with career-highs of 294 passing yards and four touchdowns in the road win at Sodexo Field on Saturday afternoon. Last week, the Gibbstown, N.J., native scored three touchdowns with 250 yards in a homecoming win over American International College.
The win marks the third time in the span of four games that the Setters have scored 45+, and the 43-point margin of victory is the second-largest in program history.
Pace took an early 7-0 lead with an Aiken touchdown pass to senior wide receiver
Dominic Nicolo (Yonkers, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac), after the Blue and Gold defense caused a turnover on downs on the Ravens' first possession deep in their own territory.
Franklin Pierce would even the score on the next Pace possession with a Tyvarius Daniels 45-yard pick-six of Aiken.
The next eight combined drives ended with punts, until Pace put together an 84-yard, nine-play drive, resulting in grad student running back
Casey Fernandez (Carver, Mass./Carver) scoring a three-yard rushing touchdown. The two-point conversion was successful as the Setters took a 15-7 lead at the break.
In the second half, Pace scored 35 unanswered points, including three third quarter touchdowns. Aiken threw one to grad wide receiver
Ramir Tann-Davis (Paterson, N.J./Paterson Eastside) and another to senior wide receiver
Cerrome Hill (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional), while freshman linebacker J'ameer Brutus intercepted a ball and took it 45 yards to the house.
Aiken wasn't finished, finding Tann-Davis again in the fourth quarter for one more passing touchdown. Tann-Davis caught 10 receptions for 152 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The streaking Setters will look to keep the momentum going on Saturday, Oct. 29 in a home tilt against Saint Anselm at noon at Pace Stadium. The game is designated in memorial of Setter football's DJ Henry as a culmination to Social Justice Week at Pace University.
