RINDGE, N.H. – With the clock winding down and its unbeaten conference record hanging in the balance, Pace University Football delivered a finish for the ages Saturday afternoon at Sodexo Field. Trailing by five with just 2:07 remaining, the Setters marched 83 yards down the field before Luke Porcaro connected with John Nasky Jr. for a 10-yard touchdown as time expired, stunning Franklin Pierce University, 20-19.
The remarkable comeback lifted Pace to 5-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Northeast 10 Conference play, keeping the Blue and Gold unbeaten against conference opponents.
Pace opened the scoring late in the first quarter after Suliman Pitts forced a fumble on a sack that Michael Larmond recovered at the Franklin Pierce 39-yard line. On the very next play, Tray Mauney connected with Ian Adrien for a 39-yard touchdown, giving the Setters a 7-0 advantage.
Franklin Pierce responded with two second-quarter field goals, trimming Pace's lead to 7-6 at halftime. The Ravens then took their first lead of the afternoon with a touchdown midway through the third quarter.
The Setters answered with a 55-yard scoring drive highlighted by a 60-yard completion from Mauney to Kyler Robinson. Mauney capped the possession with a one-yard touchdown run, putting Pace back in front, 14-13.
Franklin Pierce reclaimed the lead early in the fourth quarter on a 31-yard touchdown pass, although a failed extra-point attempt left the score at 19-14.
After the Setters were unable to score on their next two possessions, the Ravens punted the ball back to Pace with just 2:07 remaining.
What followed was a remarkable final drive. Starting at their own 17-yard line, the Setters moved downfield with their final opportunity to preserve their unbeaten conference record. Porcaro took over the offense and guided Pace into scoring position before delivering the decisive 10-yard touchdown pass to Nasky Jr. on the final play of regulation, completing an 83-yard drive and setting off a dramatic celebration.
Pace finished with 338 yards of total offense, including 229 through the air. Robinson led the receiving corps with 95 yards on three catches, while Nasky Jr. finished with three receptions for 42 yards and the game-winning touchdown.
Defensively, Travis Osterhout led the Setters with 11 tackles, while Nathen Choute recorded nine tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Pace registered six sacks and held Franklin Pierce to just 68 rushing yards.
The victory marked Pace's fourth consecutive win and one of the most dramatic finishes of the season.
The Setters return to Northwell Stadium on Halloween, Saturday, Oct. 31, to host Bentley University at 12:00 p.m. Pace will look to keep its unbeaten Northeast 10 Conference record intact as the regular season enters its final stretch.
