LAKELAND, Fla. --- Leading 16-0 in the third quarter, the Ave Maria football team was unable to withstand a second half rally by the Warner Royals, falling 30-23. Ave Maria drops to 2-4 on the season and to 1-2 against MSC opponents.
 
Brandon Butry accounted for all nine of the games' first half points, connecting on field goals of 27, 31 and 37 yards. The first score of the game came at the 9:39 mark in the third when Mahlique Booth capped a six-play, 36-yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown run.
 
Warner got on the board on the ensuing kick-off with a 88-yard touchdown return. The return sparked the Royals who scored 30 unanswered points.
 
With AMU leading 16-13 entering the fourth, Warner kicked a field goal to tie the game with 11:36 to play. The Royals took the lead with 3:36 to play on a touchdown run by DJ Davis. On the next drive, Warner intercepted a Randy Schroeder pass and returned it for a touchdown to make the score 30-16.
 
Not giving in, Ave Maria scored on their next drive when Schroeder found Byrd for a 25-yard pass and catch touchdown. On the ensuing kick-off, AMU recovered the on-side kick but were unable to get in the endzone.
 
Schroeder completed 22-of-43 passes for 213 yards. He had one touchdown and threw four interceptions. Mahlique Booth ran for 95 yards on 22 carries and a touchdown. Dallas Tucker and Byrd each had four receptions for 59 and 58 yards, respectively. Drew Bonner had six receptions for 48 yards.
 
Ayshad Thornton led the Gyrene defense with 12 tackles and one tackle for a loss. John Preyer had eight tackles, a tackle for a loss, and an interception.
 
Ave Maria returns to action next weekend when they host Campbellsville (Ky.). The 10 a.m. kickoff will be played at Gyrene Field.