THE BASICS:

- Score: Assumption 56, Pace 0

- Record: Assumption (2-0, 1-0 NE10), Pace (1-1, 0-1 NE10)

- Location: Worcester, Mass.

- The Lead: Assumption scored twice in the opening three minutes and stretched its lead to 28 after one quarter on the way to a dominant 56-0 shutout of Pace on Friday in the team's home opener.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

- Deonte Harris (Baltimore, Md. / Archbishop Curley) returned the opening kickoff 48 yards and three plays later Marc Monks (Annandale, N.J. / North Hunterdon) connected with Ashton Grant (Manchester, Conn. / Manchester / East Coast Prep) for a 37-yard reception. Dylan Oxsen (Plymouth, Mass. / Plymouth South) capped off the drive with a six-yard touchdown just 1:12 into the game.

- On the ensuing kickoff, Calvin Millner (New York, N.Y. / Cardinal Hayes) forced a fumble and Assumption took over on the Pace 28-yard line. Two plays later Oxsen scampered up the middle of the defense for a 19-yard score and 14-0 lead at 12:59.

- The Hounds went on an eight-play 96-yard drive on their next possession and pushed their lead to 21-0 on a 20-yard strike from Monks to Harris. After forcing a three-and-out, Khaleed Exum-Strong (Norwichtown, Conn. / Norwich Free Academy) capped off a six-play 99-yard drive with a 20-yard touchdown run for a 28-0 advantage with 4:04 left in the first.

- Midway through the second, Assumption put together another scoring drive, punctuated by an impressive throw from Monks to Harris for a 35-point lead. Harris capped off an impressive first half by taking a punt back to the house 60 yards with only 1:01 left in the half for a 42-0 lead.

- On the team's first drive of the third, the Hounds needed just three plays to add to their lead. On third down, Brendan Tobey (Lynn, Mass. / Malden Catholic) found Sam Blake (Springfield, Mass. / East Longmeadow / Williston Northhampton) down the sideline for a 56-yard score with 10:35 remaining.

- The defense was stout over the final 25 minutes of action, never allowing Pace inside the red zone. Assumption added one final score in the final minute as Cody Williams (Wilbraham, Mass. / Springfield Central) scored from the three on third down for a 56-0 advantage.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

- Assumption gained 520 yards of total offense, with 302 through the air and 218 on the ground, while accumulating 22 first downs. Pace had 299 yards of offense but turned the ball over four times while getting sacked five times.

- Monks was 13-for-17 in one half of action with two touchdowns, while Blake caught four passes for a team-high 106 yards and a score. Grant added four receptions for 75 yards while Exum-Strong led the rushing attack with 79 yards on just seven carries. Oxsen, meanwhile, had 73 on seven carries with two scores.

- Harris had a return touchdown for the second straight game and finished with three scores despite only playing in the first half. Overall he touched the ball just seven times while accumulating 162 all-purpose yards.

- Defensively, 29 different players recorded a tackle, let by Kaleb Silva (Revere, Mass. / Revere) with nine stops and a career-best 2.0 sacks. Charles Williams III (Hartford, Conn. / A.I. Prince Technical) added five tackles, one sack and a forced fumble while Joe Kim (Edison, N.J. / Edison) chipping in six stops. Jalen Johnson (Columbus, Ohio / Dublin Scioto / Miami (OH)) had the team's lone interception on the day.

- Dan Anerella was 17 of 31 for 129 yards while Jhalen Bien-Aime rushed for 155 yards on 18 attempts. Jasheem Banks and Matthew Corrie led the defense with seven tackles apiece.

- Assumption head coach welcomed Andrew Freilich, Executive Director of the Willows at Worcester, as the team's celebrity coach for the contest. Freilich attended practices during the week and was also an honorary captain for the contest. 

UP NEXT:

- Assumption returns to action on Friday when they travel to face Southern Connecticut at 7 pm.

STAY CONNECTED:

- For the latest on Assumption College Athletics, follow the Hounds via social media on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.