Box Score

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – Senior quarterback Chris Roberts (New Britain, Conn.) threw for 242 yards and a career-high four touchdowns – to four different receivers – as the Southern Connecticut State University football team won its fifth game in a row on Saturday, 40-17 over Pace.

The Owls improved to 6-2, 5-1 in Northeast-10 Conference play with the win. Pace is now 4-4 overall and 3-3 in the league.

The host Setters actually opened the scoring midway through the first quarter, one play after an Owls turnover. Dean Trerotola connected with Eric Ortega on a 33-yard pass and Pace had an early 7-0 advantage after the PAT.

SCSU responded with a crisp nine-play, 56 yard drive that culminated on a 1-yard run from Jarom Freeman (Peekskill, N.Y.). The game was tied at 7-7 following a PAT from Christopher Hazelton (Bristol, Conn.).

The Owls went in front for good on their next possession. The drive concluded when Roberts found John Wiechman (Buxton, Maine) out of the backfield for a 4-yard pass just 54 seconds into the second quarter. It was 14-7 after Hazelton's made PAT.

The visitors extended their lead to 21-7 later in the quarter. This time, it was Roberts who connected with Johnny Lee (Norwalk, Conn.) on a 43-yard pass over the middle for a score.

Later in the second quarter, Roberts finished a scoring drive with a 9-yard pass to tight end Tom Cerny (Mahwah, N.J.) for a 27-7 cushion after a missed PAT.

Pace closed to within 27-10 at halftime, but the Owls scored on their first possession of the second half. Roberts hooked up with Ty Marshall (College Park, Ga.) on a 34-yard pass to push the lead to 34-10.

The Setters scored next to climb back within 17, but SCSU put the game away for good on a 19-yard touchdown run up the middle by Wiechman.

Roberts finished 15-of-30 on the day and had one interception to go with his four touchdown passes. Marshall led the receiving corps with five catches for 111 yards.

Wiechman finished with 122 yards on 20 carries, while Freeman was close behind with 96 yards on 23 carries.

Landon Osborn (New Haven, Conn.) had nine tackles, one sack and broke up two passes to lead the stingy SCSU defense. As a unit, the defense allowed only 182 yards of total offense for Pace.

The Owls return to action on Nov. 1 for their Homecoming contest, a 1 p.m. start against Assumption at Jess Dow Field.