NEW YORK, N.Y. --- The Ave Maria football team opened the season on Saturday afternoon with a 36-23 loss at NCAA DII Pace University (N.Y.). The Blue and Green totaled 134 more total yards than Pace, 447-313, but Pace was able to capitalize on a few big plays to outlast the Gyrenes.
 
Game Recap
 

• After forcing Pace to a three-and-out on their opening drive, a 63-yard punt by the Setters backed the Gyrenes up at their own four yard line. The Blue and Green converted one first down before being forced to punt. Pace took the ensuing punt and returned it 48-yards for a touchdown and the first score of the game at the 11:21 mark in the first quarter.
• The Blue and Green took advantage of a Setters turnover in the second quarter to tie the game at seven. After a quick kick by Clayton Uecker on fourth and short was fumbled by Pace and recovered by the Gyrenes, the Blue and Green took six plays to go 24 yards to score on a Uecker 5-yard touchdown pass to Brian Byrd.
• The Setters came back on the ensuing drive to score on a 23-yard touchdown run by Michael Scotman to cap a six-play, 88-yard drive to make the score 14-7 Pace.
• Uecker and Zimmer made it a one-point game, 14-13, when they connected on an 83-yard throw and catch. The extra-point attempt was blocked.
• The teams exchanged field goals to close out the half to make the score 17-16 going to the break.
• Three big plays for the Setters put the game out of reach for the Gyrenes in the second half. Early in the third quarter, David Grant took a Uecker interception back 69-yards for a pick-six to make the score 23-16.
• Later in the third quarter, Delaney Wallace ran 54-yards for a touchdown to cap an eight-play, 91-yard drive.
• The Blue and Green pulled to within a score, 30-23, with 5:43 to play in the game on a Jordan Inoa five-yard touchdown reception.
• With a final chance to pull even in the game and the Blue and Green on the Pace 44-yard line, Micah Hunter was able to intercept Uecker and return it 80 yards for a touchdown as time-expired to close out the game.

 
Stat Leaders
 

• AMU totaled 447 yards of total offense compared to 313 from Pace.
• AMU outgained Pace 359-31 through the air but were outgained by the Setters on the ground 282-88.
• Both teams were 4-of-15 on third down conversions and the Blue and Green scored on 3-of-4 opportunities in the red zone.
• Clayton Uecker passed for 359 yards on 23-of-41 passing. He threw three touchdowns and two interceptions.
• Kaleb Coffee led the Gyrene ground game with 59 yards on 13 attempts. He also caught a team-high seven passes for 69 yards.
• Michael Scotman (102 yards, 18 attempts) and Delaney Wallace (93 yards, eight attempts) combined for 195 rushing yards for Pace.
• Thomas Zimmer had three receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown.
• Jordan Ramset, Ramsey Bennett, and Nicholas Ramirez led the Gyrenes with six total tackles each. Ramirez also had a team-high two tackles for a loss.
• Matthew Corrie had 11 total tackles to lead Pace.
• Brandon Leon averaged 32.6 yards on eight punts and backed Pace to within their own 20-yardline twice. He also converted on a 25-yard field goal late in the second quarter.

 
Up Next
 

• The Gyrenes open their 2015 home slate next weekend when they welcome NAIA fourth-ranked Saint Xavier (Ill.) to AMU Football Field. The game is scheduled to start at 11 a.m.