AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football team was defeated on Senior Day, losing 42-10 to the Warriors of Webber International University. Webber capitalized on five Ave Maria turnovers, and scored on nine of their 14 drives.

Webber International jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter, and needed to gain just 82 yards to score three times. The Warriors took the opening drive of the game 43 yards down the field in 12 plays, leading to a field goal from Marcus Mannerstedt. On the first Ave Maria drive, a punt was blocked by the Warriors, and Emmil Glover returned it 20 yards for a Warrior touchdown. The Warriors then made it 16-0 on a ten-yard touchdown pass from Garry Chouloute to Nick Marill. The score was set up by an interception from Dequan Harvin.

Each of the next five scores in the game were provided by the field goal kickers. Webber's Mannerstedt went 5-for-5 on the day on field goals, connecting from 38, 30, 20, 45, and 25. His counterpart, Brandon Butry, made his lone field goal attempt of the day, a 29-yard kick with 7:03 to play in the second quarter. The trading of field goals gave Webber a 28-3 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter saw three of the game's five touchdowns scored. Webber scored on a 40-yard interception return by Shaun Lawrence, and a one-yard touchdown run from Austin Logue. The lone Ave Maria touchdown on the day was scored by Mahlique Booth, who plunged in from one yard out after an 11-play, 70-yard drive from the Gyrenes.

Ave Maria recorded 144 of their 146 yards of total offense through the air. Matthew Houghtaling was the leading passer for AMU, completing eight of his 18 passes for 80 yards. Houghtaling led the drive for Ave Maria's lone touchdown. The top receiver was Traylyn Jackson, who made five catches for 62 yards. 

On defense, John Preyer made seven solo tackles and eight assisted stops to lead Ave Maria with eleven total tackles. Ayshad Thornton added seven tackles in his final game at Gyrene Field.

Before the game, the AMU program honored their seven seniors for their contributions to the Ave Maria football team.

The Gyrenes complete the 2017 season next Saturday on the road, as Ave Maria travels to Lakeland for a game with the Fire of Southeastern University. The Fire are currently ranked No. 12 in the nation, and clinched the Sun Division championship on Saturday with a 77-12 win over Edward Waters. Kickoff in Lakeland is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.