PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Despite a commanding start that featured three first-quarter touchdowns and a 21-point lead, Pace University Football dropped a 35-34 heartbreaker to Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday afternoon at Northwell Stadium. The Setters fall to 0-8 overall and 0-4 in NE10 play, while the Owls improve to 2-4 on the season and 2-1 in the conference.
The Setters opened the day in spectacular fashion as
Elijah Temple returned the opening kickoff 96 yards to the end zone, bringing the crowd to its feet just 14 seconds into the contest. Pace continued its hot start later in the first quarter when
Ah-Shaun Davis connected with
Elizjah Lewis for a 13-yard touchdown to cap a 58-yard drive. Lewis found the end zone again with two seconds left in the quarter on an 8-yard strike from Davis, putting the Setters up 21-0 after 15 minutes of play.
Southern Connecticut responded early in the second quarter with a 57-yard touchdown run, but Davis and the Setters answered right back. The junior quarterback led an 11-play, 71-yard drive, culminating in a 19-yard scoring pass to
Hayezon Tobe midway through the frame. Pace took a 27-7 lead into halftime after a dominant first half that saw Davis throw for 217 yards and three scores.
The Owls clawed their way back in the second half, scoring 14 unanswered points in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 27-21. The Setters regained momentum late in the period as
Anthony Robinson broke free for a 77-yard touchdown run—the longest of the season for Pace—to push the lead back to 13 entering the fourth. From there, Southern Connecticut capitalized on a pair of long runs to erase the deficit, including a 53-yard touchdown scamper with 4:30 left that ultimately proved to be the game-winner. Pace's final drive advanced near midfield, but an interception and a turnover on downs sealed the narrow loss.
Davis finished with 277 yards and three touchdowns through the air, spreading the ball among eight receivers, while Lewis led the corps with six catches for 59 yards and two scores. Robinson totaled 103 rushing yards on 13 carries to go along with his long touchdown run.
Defensively,
Travis Osterhout paced the Setters with 10 tackles, while
Denzel Williams and
Mathaias Edmond each added seven stops. Punter
Decker McNally continued his strong season with a 48.8-yard average on four punts, including a long of 58.
The Blue and Gold return to action next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. when the Setters travel to Waltham, MA., to face Bentley University in another NE10 match-up.
