AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football team produced one of the biggest wins in program history on Saturday afternoon, stunning No. 21 Faulker 21-20 at Gyrene Field. The victory marked AMU's first ever football triumph against a nationally-ranked opponent, and started the Gyrenes at 1-0 in Mid-South Sun Division play.

Ave Maria head coach Joe Patterson said the Gyrenes were aware of the importance a victory over a ranked team could provide to the program.

"To our knowledge, Ave has never beaten a nationally ranked team, so we talked about making history," Patterson said.

The teams traded touchdown drives late in the first quarter, with the Eagles striking first. Faulkner capped an 11 play, 80 yard drive with a 13 yard touchdown pass from Mason Blocker to Reagan Amos. The Gyrenes responded with a 54-yard drive of their own, ending with a 23 yard touchdown pass from Will Tate to Dimitrius Hirsch, tying the game at seven at the conclusion of the first quarter.

Faulkner controlled the second quarter, scoring 13 unanswered points in the frame to take a 20-7 halftime lead. The Eagles retook the lead on a 28-yard field goal from Alvin Renteria with 8:30 to play. The only touchdown of the second quarter came via the Faulkner defense, as Vashon Jackson returned an interception 40 yards for a score. The Eagles finished the quarter with another Renteria field goal, this one from 27 yards.

The Gyrene defense did not allow Faulkner to score in the second half, and two third quarter touchdowns propelled AMU to a 21-20 lead that would hold for the remainder of the game. Ave Maria opened the second half with a touchdown drive, quickly getting down the field in five plays. The final play saw Tate fire his second touchdown pass of the game, a 48-yard strike to Kevon O'Connor.

After forcing a turnover on downs and a punt, the Gyrenes took the lead on their final drive of the third quarter. On an eight play drive, Ave Maria drove down to the one-yard line, where Sefe Wences punched it in for the game-tying touchdown, with the ensuing extra point giving the Gyrenes their first lead of the game. 

In the fourth quarter, Faulkner got three chances to retake the lead, but were snuffed out on a turnover on downs, a punt, and a game-sealing interception. On the final drive of the game, Faulkner was pinned inside their own five after a punt from Devyn McCormick. After moving 36 yards on seven plays, a fourth down pass was picked off by Kobi Bowers, ensuring the historic win for the Gyrenes.

Will Tate led the Gyrene offense with 195 yards passing on eleven completions, tossing two touchdowns and running for another 77 yards. His favorite target was Joshua Alexander, who hauled in five receptions for 96 yards. Quino Mauricette added 80 yards on the ground, while the defense was led by Stephen Killop, who made eight solo stops.

The Gyrenes are again at home next Saturday against in-state rival Southeastern University. The game will be the first football matchup contested under the lights at Gyrene Field, and is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.