Game Notes | Live Video | Live Stats
AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The AMU football team looks to get things back on track after last week's season-opening loss to North Greenville when they travel to Melbourne, Fla., to take on NCAA DII Florida Tech on Saturday night. The opening kick is slated for 6 p.m.
Florida Tech will provide live video and live stats and the links can be found on AveMariaGyrenes.com. The game will be played at Pirate Stadium at Palm Bay High School. Reserved seating is $14 while general admission seating is $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors. Parking is $5.
AMU comes into this week's matchup having lost for the first time in eight games. The Gyrene defense was overpowered in last week's loss to North Greenville. The Crusaders finished with a 639-416 advantage in total offense en route to a 45-21 win. However, AMU's offense was able to keep pace with the Crusaders through the air, finishing with 357 yards compared to 368 from North Greenville.
Similar to last season, the Blue and Green will try to put pressure on the Panthers through the air. Quarterback
Clayton Uecker (Akron, Ohio) threw from 323 yards and five touchdowns last season against Florida Tech in the upset win.
Another key to last season's win was the Gyrenes' ability to move the ball on the ground. Led by Scott Jones with 94 rushing yards and a touchdown, AMU netted 143 yards on the ground last season against Florida Tech.
This time around, the Blue and Green will look to
Lazaro Herrera (Miami, Fla.) to jump-start the Gyrenes' ground game. Herrara ran for 47 yards on 19 carries last week against a tough Crusader defensive line.
Florida Tech comes into this matchup in much different shape than they did last season. A year ago, the Panthers came in with a 1-4 record and on a four-game losing streak. This season, Florida Tech is fresh off a 54-12 rout of Stetson in which freshman quarterback Mark Cato scored six touchdowns.
Cato finished 7-for-15 for 191 yards and four touchdowns through the air and added 63 rushing yards on 19 carries with two TDs. Cato was named Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week this week.
Xavier Milton was on the receiving end of two of Cato's passing touchdowns. Milton finished with three receptions for 114 yards to go along with the pair of touchdowns.
