PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – A go-ahead touchdown from Thomas Fusco and a big day on special teams from Jhamier Howard helped Pace University Football secure a 16-14 Homecoming victory over American International College on Saturday afternoon at Northwell Stadium. The Setters improved to 4-2 overall and remained unbeaten in Northeast 10 Conference play at 3-0.
Howard provided the first big moment of the afternoon, returning a punt 80 yards for a touchdown midway through the opening quarter. Marc Malandruccolo added the extra point to give Pace an early 7-0 lead.
The Blue and Gold extended their advantage in the second quarter when Jared Pineda connected on a 48-yard field goal with 7:26 remaining before halftime. AIC answered with a touchdown in the closing minute, sending Pace into the break ahead 10-7.
The Yellow Jackets took their first lead early in the third quarter, scoring on their opening possession of the second half to move ahead 14-10.
Pace responded later in the quarter with a six-play, 54-yard scoring drive. Tray Mauney connected with Howard for a 24-yard gain to set up first-and-goal before finding Fusco for a six-yard touchdown pass with 5:14 remaining. The score put the Setters back in front, 16-14.
The defense took over from there, forcing a turnover on downs on AIC's ensuing possession before holding the Yellow Jackets scoreless throughout the fourth quarter. Pace regained possession with 3:31 remaining and ran out the clock to secure the Homecoming win.
Mauney completed 13 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown, while Howard finished with 35 rushing yards, 28 receiving yards and 97 yards on three punt returns. John Nasky Jr. led the receiving corps with 37 yards, followed by Kyler Robinson with 35.
Defensively, Travis Osterhout led the Setters with 12 tackles, while Suliman Pitts added nine tackles and a sack. John Eubanks contributed seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Michael Larmond also recovered a fumble as Pace forced two turnovers.
Decker McNally helped control field position, placing five of his seven punts inside the AIC 20-yard line.
Pace entered Saturday's contest ranked first nationally in NCAA Division II in time of possession, averaging approximately 34 minutes per game through its first five games. The Setters continued to control the clock against AIC, holding possession for 31:43, including 8:50 in the fourth quarter, as they protected their lead and secured their third consecutive conference victory.
The Setters return to the road on Saturday, Oct. 24, when they travel to Rindge, N.H., to face Franklin Pierce in Northeast 10 Conference action at 1:00 p.m.
