WORCESTER, Mass.– The Assumption University football team picked up their first win of the year, as they defeated Pace University 34-27 in a non-conference matchup, Saturday afternoon at Brian Kelly '83 Stadium.
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 34, Pace University 27
Records: Greyhounds (1-2, 0-0 NE10) | Setters (1-2, 0-0 NE10)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Assumption struck first on its opening possession, marching 88 yards on nine plays before
Dom Santiago connected with
Keith Mancini for a 34-yard touchdown, giving the Greyhounds a 7-0 lead. Pace answered with two touchdowns in the rest of the opening quarter to take a 14-7 lead.
The Greyhounds responded with a pair of touchdown drives in the second quarter. Santiago found
Will McNamara for a 20-yard score at 13:25 to tie the game before connecting with
Zylas Abney from 18 yards out to put Assumption back in front, 21-14. Pace converted a 47-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Greyhounds into halftime up 21-17.
Pace pulled within one on a 39-yard field goal midway through the third, but Assumption answered with a 12-play, 73-yard drive that took more than six minutes off the clock. Santiago capped the possession with a 10-yard touchdown run, extending the Greyhounds' lead to 27-20.
Assumption added to its advantage early in the fourth quarter when
Kaiden Brochu broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run, giving the Greyhounds a 34-20 lead with 13:18 remaining. The Assumption defense kept Pace off the board until the final seconds, as the Setters scored with two seconds remaining to produce the 34-27 final.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Dom Santiago was 17-for-25 for 209 yards and three touchdowns and added 24 yards on the ground for another score.
- Kaiden Brochu lead back the Greyhounds, with 12 carries for 85 yards and a score.
- Zylas Abney was the top target through the air, with four catches for 48 yards and a touchdown, while Keith Mancini and Will McNamara each had touchdown receptions.
- Defensively, Nick Smith was all over the field for the Blue and White with a game-high 16 tackles, while adding two sacks, a breakup, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
- Assumption leads the all-time series 21-12.
UP NEXT
- Assumption at American International College, Saturday, September 26, 1:00 pm
- Pace vs. Saint Anselm College, Saturday, September 26, 12:00 pm.
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