WORCESTER, MA. – Pace University Football dropped a Northeast-10 (NE10) Conference match-up on the road Saturday afternoon, falling 24-7 to Assumption University at Brian Kelly '83 Stadium. The Setters played the Greyhounds even through the opening quarter before the hosts pulled away over the final three frames. With the result, Pace moves to 0-7 overall and 0-4 in NE10 play.
Pace's offense found its rhythm late in the first quarter after Assumption opened the scoring midway through the period. Quarterback
Luke Porcaro engineered an 11-play, 73-yard drive capped by a five-yard rushing touchdown with just two seconds left on the clock.
Marc Malandruccolo added the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 heading into the second quarter.
The Greyhounds responded early in the second with a long 55-yard field goal before adding a four-yard touchdown run late in the half to move ahead 17-7 at intermission. The Setters continued to battle on both sides of the ball, highlighted by strong defensive play from linebackers
Denzel Williams and
Kyle Weeks, but struggled to sustain drives against Assumption's front seven.
In the third quarter, the home team extended its lead with a 16-yard touchdown pass at the 1:37 mark, completing a nine-play, 88-yard drive that proved to be the game's final scoring sequence. Pace's defense held firm from that point on, forcing a fumble recovered by Williams and limiting the Greyhounds to just 88 yards over the last quarter-and-a-half. Despite several late pushes into opposing territory, the Setters were unable to add to their first-quarter score.
Porcaro finished 11-for-19 through the air for 92 yards while adding Pace's lone touchdown on the ground.
Anthony Robinson led the rushing unit with 48 yards on 11 carries, and
Elizjah Lewis posted a team-high three receptions for 25 yards.
Gary Wilkins matched him with three catches of his own, while seven different Setters recorded at least one reception.
Defensively, Williams once again paced the Blue and Gold with a game-high 12 tackles and a fumble recovery. Weeks added nine stops and a tackle-for-loss, while
Travis Osterhout contributed eight tackles and a quarterback hurry. The unit combined for six tackles-for-loss and four pass breakups in a determined effort.
The Setters return home next Saturday, October 18, to host Southern Connecticut State University at Northwell Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. as the Blue and Gold celebrate Homecoming and look to notch their first win of the 2025 campaign.
