VALLEY, Ala.- The Ave Maria University football team surrendered 27 unanswered points to the Point University Skyhawks on Saturday afternoon, and dropped a 40-17 decision on the road in Mid-South Conference Sun Division play. The Gyrenes held a 10-7 lead in the first quarter, but could not score again until the middle of the fourth quarter. 

It took Point less than 20 seconds to get on the board at Ram Stadium. On the first play from scrimmage, Derek Bellard found Charles Duckworth for a 79-yard touchpass, giving the Skyhawks a 7-0 lead just 18 seconds into the contest.

The next five minutes belonged to the Gyrenes. Traylyn Jackson returned the Point kickoff 70 yards to the 18-yard line, which eventually set up a 23-yard field goal from Brandon Butry. AMU's Jessey Dent then forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, which was recovered by Stephen Killop on the Point 19. Three plays later, Randy Schroeder hit Jackson for a 16-yard touchdown on third and seven, giving Ave Maria a 10-7 lead.

From that point, the Skyhawks regained control of the game. Bellard recorded two more touchdowns in the first quarter, hitting Chase Turner for a 17-yard score and running one in himself from eight yards to give Point a 21-10 lead at the end of the first quarter. Bellard found Ducksworth again early in the second quarter, this time for a 64-yard score, to widen Point's lead to 28-10 at halftime.

Bellard tossed his fourth touchdown pass of the day midway through the fourth quarter, finding Ducksworth for the third time. The 20-yard touchdown pass gave the Skyhawks a 34-10 lead with 7:40 to play in the game. 

Special teams were again key in the Gyrenes' final touchdown of the game. Dimitrius Hirsch returned a kickoff 92 yards from his own seven to the Point one-yard line. Hirsch's return set up a one-yard dive from Cameron Bradley to cap Ave Maria's portion of the scoring. Point concluded their scoring on a one-yard touchdown run from Michael Scott.

On offense, Schroeder threw for 152 yards and one touchdown, completing 17 of his 34 passes. His favorite target was Jackson, who hauled in six catches for 68 yards, including the touchdown. Matthew Kennedy was the leader on defense, making eight tackles, including three tackles for loss and one sack.

Ave Maria returns to Gyrene Field for their final home game of the season next Saturday, as AMU battles divisional rival Webber International University. The game is slated for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff, and will feature Senior Day festivities as part of the day's events.