WALTHAM, MA. – On Saturday afternoon, Pace University Football dropped a 42-13 decision at Bentley University, and the Setters wrapped up another Northeast 10 matchup in Massachusetts. With the result, the Blue and Gold move to 0-9 overall and 0-5 in conference play this fall.
Bentley opened the game with early offensive momentum, using a pair of first-half touchdown passes to take a 14-0 advantage into halftime. Despite a handful of promising drives, the Setters were held scoreless through the first 30 minutes while relying on their defense to limit extended scoring threats.
Ibrahim Diallo and
Don Dorcelly each led the way with nine total tackles, while
Ali Seidou added a sack and tackle for loss as part of Pace's six stops behind the line of scrimmage in the opening frames.
The Setters broke through in the third quarter when senior kicker
Marc Malandruccolo converted a 26-yard field goal following a Bentley fumble recovery. Later in the period, Malandruccolo tacked on another from 27 yards out, finishing a perfect 2-for-2 on the afternoon.
Quarterbacks
Ethan Coady and
Ah-Shaun Davis combined for 168 passing yards, highlighted by Coady's late 16-yard touchdown strike to
Gary Wilkins in the final seconds.
Wilkins led all Pace receivers with five catches for 57 yards and the score, while
Elijah Temple and
Elizjah Lewis contributed 69 combined receiving yards. On the ground,
Anthony Robinson paced the rushing unit with 35 yards on 11 carries.
Defensively, Dorcelly and Diallo anchored a unit that forced Bentley to work for its yardage throughout. Seidou and Dorcelly each recorded sacks, while
Denzel Williams provided a highlight interception and 34-yard return early in the fourth quarter.
The special teams group also remained active, as Malandruccolo converted both field goals and his lone extra point, and
Decker McNally totaled 287 punting yards across nine attempts.
The Blue and Gold will return to action in two weeks for a road match-up against American International College. The game is set for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 8
th, as the Setters seek to build some late-season momentum.
