Greyhounds drop 27-20 decision to Pace in mistake-ladened game

September 6, 2008

Pace 27, Assumption 20

PLEASANTVILLE, NY --- Pace University took advantage of six Assumption College turnovers en route to a statistically improbable, 27-20, non-conference football win over the Greyhounds here SATURDAY at Pace Field.

The Greyhounds had twice the total offense (315-148), more first downs (17-10) and a wide advantage in time of possession (33:35-26:25).

Sophomore running back HERBERT WOODARD (Salem, NJ/Salem) was a spark for the Greyhounds with two touchdowns (two-yard run, 74-yard reception), 54 yards rushing, four receptions for 96 yards and a punt return for 29 yards---179 yards of all-purpose offense.

Freshman running back RIEDRICK ALCEUS (Haverstraw, NY/Hudson Valley) rushed 22 times for 86 yards and caught three passes for 12 yards and scored one touchdown to lead the Setters' offense.

The game started in favor the visitors as Pace fumbled the opening kickoff. Hounds' freshman ZACK OKOLOWITCZ (Cranston, RI/Cranston West) kicked to the Pace 28 where sophomore NATE KUFFREY (Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) forced a fumble recovered by sophomore RYAN CROWLEY.

Sophomore quarterback JOSH RATACIK (Manchester, NH/Central) completed his first pass to sophomore wide out MARCUS NICHOLS (Salem, NJ/Salem) before Woodard rushed four straight times, including the final two yards into the endzone. Okolowitcz kicked the conversion for 7-0 lead just 2:32 into the first period.

It did not last long as sophomore ERIC ORTEGA (Staten Island, NY/Saint Peter's) returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown. Freshman ALI MOURTADA (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro) kicked the score-tying conversion.

The Greyhounds then drove 72 yards in 18 plays chewing 10:11 off-the-clock. Woodard carried 10 times for 31 yards to dominate the drive. Sophomore quarterback ANDY KUPEC (Wyckoff, NJ/Indian Hills) (PICTURED RIGHT) was a major factor in the drive picking up two key first downs . . . one on a fourth-and-two and the second on a third-and-one. He then found sophomore wide receiver DOMINIQUE PRICE (Worcester, MA/Holy Name) on an alley-oop pass in the corner of the endzone on a eight-yard scoring play. Senior defensive end LEE ROBINSON (New Milford, CT/New Milford) blocked Okolowitcz' conversion attempt and senior defensive back RUBEN PAGAN (Bellport, NY/Bellport) returned the ball to the Assumption 15 in a two-point conversion attempt---two-points saving tackle by Crowley and sophomore linebacker STEVE COTA (San Diego, CA/Saint Augustine/Canterbury).

The Setters then converted an interception by sophomore linebacker JESUS CARDONA (Brooklyn, NY/Xaverian) and ensuing 17-yard return to the Assumption eight into the go-ahead touchdown. Alceus scored on the first play and Mourtada kicked the conversion for a 14-13 advantage.

On the next series Kupec found Woodard on a 74-yard touchdown pass to give the Hounds the lead at halftime. Okolowitcz kicked the conversion for a 20-14 lead. The 74-yard play is the ninth longest pass-play in Greyhounds' football history.

Despite leading by just six points at the break, the Greyhounds dominated the statistics: 247-51 in total offense, 15-2 in first downs and 20:14-9:46 in time of possession. Kupec was 11-for-14 for 151 yards and two touchdowns at the half.

The Setters would score 13 unanswered points in the third period to account for the final score.

Pace parlayed another mistake by the Greyhounds---this time a blocked punt by Cardona and recovered sophomore defensive back TAYLOR MC GINNIS (Monroe, NY/Washingtonville) at the Assumption 22. Junior quarterback RAY GREGG (Stony Point, NY/North Rockland) fired a 14-yard completion to junior tight end ANDY KULAK (Wolcott, NY/Wolcott), Alceus rushed up-the-middle for three more and finally Gregg scored from five yards out. Mourtada kicked the conversion which put Pace in front to stay, 21-20.

Sophomore linebacker MAX KATZNER (Bogota, NJ/Bogota) added a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown with 52 seconds left to account for the final.

GREYHOUNDS NOTES: sophomore running back HERBERT WOODARD (Salem, NJ/Salem) carried 21 times for 54 yards increasing his career marks to 214 carries (17th Greyhound with over 200 carries) and 1,055 yards . . . he now has 78 career points (tied for 12th place with Steve Thompson '95) . . . postgraduate tight end JAKE LONGENECKER (Fernandina Beach, FL/Manchester West, NH) now has 79 catches for 989 yards (he should become the eighth Greyhound with 1,000 yards receiving) . . . senior wide receiver JOEY FABIANO (Westwood, MA/Westwood) had seven receptions for 40 yards and now has 73 receptions for 830 yards . . . junior linebacker DUSTIN ZITZMANN (Pinellas Park, FL/Dixie Hollins) finished with 3-6--9 tackles, 1 sack (3 yards) and a quarterback hurry, while senior linebacker MITCHELL WELCH (Southington, CT/Southington) ended with 6-0--6 tackles . . . senior linebacker DAN HICKEY (Auburn, MA/Auburn) had his second interception . . . sophomore quarterback ANDY KUPEC (Wyckoff, NJ/Indian Hill) finished 20-for-30 for 234 yards and two touchdowns in his first varsity action . . .

NEXT UP: the Greyhounds are off next week and travel to Northeast-10 Conference rival Merrimack College Friday, September 19 at 7 p.m.