SPRINGFIELD, MA. – In the penultimate game of the 2025 campaign, Pace University Football delivered a competitive effort on the road Saturday afternoon but fell 21-9 to American International College. With the loss, the Setters move to 0-10 overall and 0-6 in Northeast 10 Conference play with one final match-up remaining.
AIC opened the scoring late in the first quarter with a five-yard rushing touchdown to cap a 62-yard drive. The Yellow Jackets extended their lead to 14-0 early in the second after capitalizing on a Pace fumble deep in its own territory.
The Setters responded with their most efficient series of the half, driving 61 yards behind receptions from
Christopher Adegunle and
Gary Wilkins.
Marc Malandruccolo finished the drive with a 27-yard field goal at the 8:15 mark to make it 14-3. The Blue and Gold defense tightened from there, with
Don Dorcelly and
Philip Barr combining for a sack to keep the deficit at 11 going into halftime. Pace carried that momentum into the third quarter.
A 34-yard kickoff return by
Jhamier Howard set up the offense, and the Setters marched 66 yards on eight plays.
Anthony Robinson led the ground attack with multiple first-down runs, and Adegunle made another key reception to keep the drive alive.
Ethan Lopez finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run to bring the score to 14-9.
The defense continued to make plays, including sacks by
Ibrahim Diallo and
Jayson Chavous, and a fourth-quarter interception by
Isaiah Hopewell gave Pace another chance near midfield. However, the Setters' drive stalled on downs, and AIC answered with a touchdown at the 5:49 mark to push the game out of reach.
Robinson finished with 54 rushing yards and 42 receiving yards to lead the Pace offense. Quarterback
Ethan Coady completed 17 passes for 142 yards, while Adegunle caught seven passes for 62 yards.
Defensively,
Travis Osterhout posted a team-high 10 tackles, Dorcelly added nine, and Hopewell recorded the team's lone interception.
The Setters return home to Northwell Stadium next Saturday, November 15, for Senior Day and their final game of the 2025 season against Franklin Pierce University. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. from Pleasantville, N.Y.
