JACKSONVILLE, Fla. --- After falling behind 14-0, the Ave Maria football team scored 41 unanswered including 28 points in the second quarter to improve to 4-3 on the season and to 3-0 in Mid-South Sun Division play.
Edward Waters struck first with a touchdown on their opening possession. The Gyrenes then drove 53 yards before a missed field goal attempt kept the deficit at seven. The Tigers took a 14 point lead a few minutes later on a two-yard touchdown run.
Trailing 14-0, Quino Mauricette capped a 7-play, 77-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. Mauricette scored again on Ave Maria's next possession, this time a touchdown run on 10 yards to tie the game.
With 25 seconds to play in the first half, Will Tate found pay-dirt on a 5-yard run to cap a 13-play, 58-yard drive. On the ensuing kick-off, the Blue and Green recovered a Edward Waters fumble at the Tigers' 17 yard line. Two plays later and just before the half, Tate found Kevon O'Connor for 17-yards and a touchdown to give AMU a 28-14 halftime lead.
Both AMU scores in the third quarter came off the leg of kicker Devyn McCormick. The freshman connected on field goals of 44 and 33 yards to give AMU a 34-14 edge. Alex Schoop found the endzone midway through the fourth quarter on an eight yard run to make it 41-14.
The Gyrenes had 28 first downs compared to 12 by Edward Waters. The Gyrenes finished with 398 yards of total offense, including 262 yards on the ground. AMU only punted once in the game and held a 40-20 advantage in time of possession.
Mauricette ran for 133 yards on 21 attempts with two scores. Shoop added 63 yards and a score on 16 attempts. Tate finished 10-of-19 and 136 yards in the air with a touchdown. He also ran for a touchdown and had 36 rushing yards on eight attempts. O'Connor was the top receiver for the Gyrenes on the afternoon with four receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Connor Jewel and Evan Major led the Gyrenes' defense with five tackles each. Major also had a sack for AMU.
The AMU defense held Edward Waters to 213 yards of total offense and to 70 yards passing.
McCormick was 2-for-3 on field goal attempts and had one punt for 45 yards. He also had eight kick-offs, five of which resulted in touchbacks.
