PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. (October 16, 2021) -- For the second straight time out, the Franklin Pierce University football team took things to overtime, on Saturday afternoon at Pace Stadium. Junior EJ Burgess (Pearland, Texas) rushed for 191 yards, but to no avail, as the Ravens were tripped up in double-overtime, 39-31, on the road at Pace, in Northeast-10 Conference play. Graduate student Carlton Aiken found fellow graduate student Brian Dolan for 25 yards on what would stand as the game-winning touchdown pass.

With the loss, Franklin Pierce falls to 0-6 (0-4 NE10), while Pace improves to 1-5 (1-3 NE10).

Trailing 14-7 in the second quarter, Burgess ripped off a 77-yard touchdown rush -- his second score of the game -- to tie the game up with 2:56 remaining until halftime.

The second half was then back-and-forth throughout, on the way to a 24-24 tie at the end of regulation. Pace started things with an eight-play, 70-yard touchdown drive in the third, capped by a 23-yard pass from Aiken to senior Danny Taylor. Franklin Pierce answered with a nine-play, 73-yard drive of its own, which junior K.O. Gaskin (Lynn, Mass.) finished off with a two-yard touchdown rush.

The two sides traded field goals in the fourth quarter. First, the Ravens capitalized on an interception by freshman Jaden Clark (West Warwick, R.I.) to set up a quick, four-play drive, which resulted in a 21-yard field goal from freshman Ty Drinan (Lynn, Mass.) with 8:28 to play. Pace would respond with a 14-play, 60-yard drive to set up a 29-yard field goal from junior Ben Franchino, to level things at 24-24, with 2:12 to play.

Both teams found the end zone in the first overtime. Gaskin notched his second touchdown of the game, with a one-yard scoring plunge. The Setters answered with an 11-yard strike from Aiken to junior Cerrome Hill, which evened things up at 31-31.

On the second play of the second overtime, Aiken and Dolan hooked up for a 25-yard touchdown pass, which would stand as the game winner. Franklin Pierce went backwards on its ensuing drive, via a holding penalty and, later, a sack. Incomplete passes followed on both third and fourth down, and Pace came away with the 39-31 victory.

Burgess carried the Ravens' offense on his back throughout the afternoon, as he piled up 191 rushing yards and a pair of scores, as part of a 295-yard rushing day for Franklin Pierce. Gaskin found the end zone twice as well. Sophomore Armani Mette (Randolph, Mass.) led the team with 10 tackles (four solo) and added a fumble recovery as well. Clark recorded a pair of interceptions.

Pace did its damage through the air, as Aiken went 22-for-42 for 280 yards and a quartet of touchdowns, though he was intercepted twice. His favorite target was Taylor, who hauled in nine passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. Senior Dustin Huseinovic led all players with 11 tackles (six solo), while senior Nasier Givens added 10 tackles (seven solo) and a pair of sacks.

The Ravens return home next weekend, as they host Southern Connecticut State in an NE10 contest on Saturday, Oct. 23. Opening kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Sodexo Field in Rindge.