The Ave Maria University football team were outgained Saturday night, lost the turnover battle, and lost the time of possession battle.
Somehow, though, the Gyrenes found a way to win their home opener over Lawrence Tech, 26-25, at Gyrene Field Saturday night. The win came in front of one of the larger football crowds in recent memory, one that likely neared 2,000 fans.
AMU head coach Joe Patterson said the Gyrenes have preached picking each other up for weeks, and it bore fruit on Saturday night.
"Our prayer daily is to grow as a family," Patterson said. "I thought that we saw that today; when we make mistakes, you want your family members to correct those mistakes for you, and there were several times today where we made it right."
The Gyrenes found themselves in a 13-0 hole, as Lawrence Tech scored on their second drive of the game, then cashed in on a long drive to take a two-score lead early in the second quarter. Down two scores, the Gyrenes needed just two plays to 75 yards, as quarterback Kristian Marks found Joshua Jenkins for 45 yards, then Darius Sawyer for 30 to get AMU in the endzone and on the board.
Ave Maria took the lead for the first time in the final moments of the first half, taking advantage of a fourth down stop in Lawrence Tech territory. The Gyrenes methodically moved 32 yards in ten plays, and Marks hit Matthew Coury for a six-yard touchdown on third and goal, putting AMU up for the first time, a lead that would hold to halftime.
Quino Mauricette helped the Gyrenes extend their lead to seven points in the third quarter, as the senior tailback broke off a 67-yard run, setting AMU up with first and goal. Bryan Stiemke finished the job for his backfield mate, scoring on a seven-yard run to give Ave Maria a 20-13 lead.
Lawrence Tech pulled within one late in the third quarter, then jumped on a Gyrene fumble and took the lead on the final play of the frame. After an AMU interception and a Lawrence Tech punt, the Gyrenes got the ball back with 10:23 remaining. Eleven plays later, a stretch that included a fourth down pass from backup quarterback Andrew Lege to Jenkins, running back Joshua Marion broke off a 21-yard run that gave AMU the lead.
Patterson remarked that the Gyrenes' ability to have unexpected players step up in big moments is something the team is cognizant of as the season moves along.
"I don't think we need to change our offense based upon personnel, and I think there's a reason why we give as many reps as we can to as many people in practice," Patterson stated. "It's a long football game and a long season."
The Blue Devils had one drive left in them, and moved to the Gyrene nine with two minutes left. AMU forced a field goal attempt, and Brunel Desinor, who also blocked an extra point early in the game, got to Franco Bella's kick to ensure a 2-0 start for the Gyrenes, something the program had never done before.
The Gyrenes will become road warriors for much of September, as the team won't return home until October 1. Ave Maria will have a chance to go to 3-0 on the season next weekend, when the Gyrenes travel across Alligator Alley for a meeting with the University of Fort Lauderdale. Kickoff on the east coast is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Original source can be found here.
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