The Setters bore their teeth against the Hawks, yet it was the visiting team that flew away with the win.
Pace lost to Saint Anslem College by a score of 48-21. The game was highlighted by good rushing performances from the Setters and the absence of two signal callers.
The Setters matched the Hawks point for point in the first quarter. When Hawks return man Greg Donahue muffed a punt at his own 11 yard line it was recovered by sophomore business-management major Blair Wynn. A few plays later, Wynn punched in his first touchdown of the season to tie the game at seven apiece.
After the Hawks regained the lead, Pace put together a three-play 23 yard drive in the waning moments of the first quarter to re-tie the game at 14. The Setters scored on a 16 yard touchdown run from junior criminal justice major Jordan Raynor with three minutes and 23 seconds remaining in the quarter.
The Setters ground game established itself against the Hawks. Pace totaled a season high 211 rushing yards that were distributed throughout the depth chart. Wynn picked up a total of 81 yards on 19 carries throughout the game while sophomore criminal justice major Brian Beeker rushed for 96 yards on 16 carries.
However, the Setters defense did not fare so well without defensive coordinator Ted Florio and linebacker coach Harvey Silberbush. Both coaches were relieved of their duties earlier in the week and the Setters had only two defense-oriented coaches on staff against the Hawks.
On the field, Pace gave up 40 points yet again. The Setters have relinquished at least 40 points in seven consecutive games this season. The Hawks gashed the Setters for a total of 430 yards throughout the game; 267 of those yards came on the ground. Also, Pace relinquished 27 points in the third quarter alone to put the game out of reach.
One bright spot for the Setters defense was senior biology major David Lopez, for he snatched the Setters’ first interception of the year during the course of the game.
With the loss, the Setters drop to 0-7 overall and 0-6 against Northeast-10 opponents this season.
The Setters will get next week off to study for midterms. Pace will hit the field again on Oct. 27 when they take on Assumption College up in Worcester, M.A.