PLEASANTVILLE, New York - The American International College football team fell 16-14 in a Northeast 10 Conference matchup at Pace University on Saturday, October 17.
AIC is now 2-5 overall and 0-4 in the NE10.
The Setters special teams unit opened the scoring; Jhamier Howard danced to an 80-yard punt return touchdown just five minutes into the game.
That held until the middle of the second quarter, when Jared Pineda tacked on a 48-yard field goal to push Pace's lead to 10-0.
AIC bounced back and struck right before halftime, driving the field for 68 yards.
Connor Dietz found
Bo Catherwood open in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown pass, and
Luke Sheets hit the PAT to lead AIC down 10-7 at the break.
Catherwood also led AIC's first drive of the second half, a four-play, 62-yard touchdown string that featured a 40-yard reception by the senior running back and then two plays later a dash to the right side that went the final 20 yards for the score. Sheets' PAT gave AIC a 14-10 lead just 1:15 into the third.
The Setters answered late in the frame, attacking with a drive that started near midfielder. A 24-yard Howard catch was made worse by a penalty, and Pace ended up with the ball on the AIC six-yard line. The very next play was a touchdown pass to Tray Mauney. However,
Sean McGee blocked the ensuing PAT, meaning a field goal could put AIC back on top.
However, it turned out that the touchdown was the last score of the game. AIC was unable to get into field goal range, and the Setters held through the fourth to end the game on top.
Catherwood's final line was impressive, including 17 carries for 118 yards and three catches for 41 yards, along with both touchdowns.
Jakkai Stith had a team-best 10 tackles, including a sack.
AIC closes the road trip with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff at Post University on Saturday, October 24.
