November 14th, 2026 4:15pm
PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y.– For the fourth time in program history, the Assumption football team is the Northeast 10 Conference champions. The Greyhounds went on the road and had nearly 300 yards on the ground for a 20-17 win at Pace on Saturday afternoon.
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 20, Pace University 17
Records: Greyhounds (8-2, 7-0 NE10) | Setters (6-4, 5-2 NE10)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Pace struck first, as Tray Mauney connected with Kyler Robinson for a 33-yard touchdown pass midway through the opening quarter, giving the Setters a 7-0 advantage. Assumption looked to respond on its ensuing possession, but the Greyhounds were unable to find the end zone in the opening 15 minutes.
The Greyhounds began to establish their rushing attack in the second quarter, marching 79 yards on 12 plays before Luke Liborio connected on a 23-yard field goal with 6:07 remaining. Assumption threatened again before halftime, advancing deep into Pace territory, but the Setters held on fourth down to maintain a 7-3 advantage at the break.
Pace extended its lead early in the third quarter, as Marc Malandruccolo connected on a 27-yard field goal to make it 10-3. The Setters then capitalized on a turnover, as Jayson Chavous intercepted a pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown, pushing the hosts' advantage to 17-3 with 8:28 remaining in the quarter.
Trailing by 14 points, Assumption responded immediately. Just 15 seconds later, Jean-Francois broke free for a 59-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 17-10. The Greyhounds' defense followed with another stop, giving the offense an opportunity to continue its comeback.
Assumption needed just three plays to cover 48 yards on its next scoring possession, capped by a 13-yard touchdown run from Brochu with 5:35 remaining in the third quarter. Liborio converted the extra point, evening the contest at 17-17 and completing the Greyhounds' 14-point comeback in less than three minutes.
The Blue and White carried that momentum into the fourth quarter. After driving 50 yards on nine plays, Liborio connected on a 21-yard field goal just three seconds into the final frame, giving Assumption its first lead of the afternoon, 20-17.
With the championship hanging in the balance, the Assumption defense delivered. Pace threatened to tie the game midway through the fourth quarter, but Jepthe Jean blocked a 45-yard field-goal attempt with 7:44 remaining, preserving the Greyhounds' three-point advantage.
The Greyhounds continued to lean on their rushing attack and defense in the closing minutes, keeping the Setters off the scoreboard, thanks to an interception in the endzone by Jamari Blake to secure the 20-17 victory and the program's fourth Northeast 10 Conference Championship.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
UP NEXT
Recap provided by Assumption.
ABOUT THE NE10
The NE10 is an association of 10 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.