BLUEFIELD, W.V. --- On the road for the first time this season, the Ave Maria football team defeated Bluefield 30-13 on Saturday evening. The Gyrenes outscored Bluefield 14-0 in the fourth quarter to pull away from the Rams.
 
Ave Maria improves to 2-1 on the season. The Gyrenes take on NCAA DI Jacksonville next Saturday in Jacksonville at 1 p.m.
 
The Blue and Green opened the scoring Saturday evening. Will Tate found DImitrius Hirsch for a 58-yard touchdown pass and catch early in the opening quarter. A missed extra-point kept it a six-point lead for AMU.
 
Later in the first quarter, Devyn McCormick hit a 34-yard field goal to put the Gyrenes ahead 9-0.
 
Bluefield scored to open the second quarter and cut into the Ave Maria advantage. The one-yard touchdown run and extra-point cut the Gyrene lead to two, 9-7.
 
With 47 seconds remaining in the first half, Tate found Anthony Llosa for a nine-yard touchdown pass to cap a seven-play, 73-yard drive. Tate had a 32-yard pass to Hirsch and a 21-yard pass to Llosa to set up the nine-yard score. A good point after made it 16-7.
 
AMU had an extra chance to add points in the first half. After a three-and-out by Bluefield, Tate completed a pass for 13 yards to Kevon O'Connor to give Devyn McCormick a try for a 54-yard field goal. His attempt came up just short as time expired.
 
Bluefield had the only score of the third quarter to bring the Rams within three, 16-13.
 
In the opening seconds of the fourth quarter, Alex Shoop capped a nine-play, 79-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to put the Gyrenes in front 23-13. Later in the quarter, AMU put the game out of reach with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Tate to O'Connor.
 
Tate finished the night 18-for-29 for a career-high 399 passing yards. He had three passing touchdowns and no interceptions.
 
Tate found seven different receivers on the night. He connected with O'Connor five times for 50 yards and a score. Hirsch had three receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown. Llosa had four receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. Joshua Alexander also had three receptions.
 
Connor Jewel led the AMU defensive effort with 10 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss and half a sack. Jalyn Robinson and Alec Major each had five tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, and 1.5 sacks.
 
Devyn McCormick averaged 39.5 yards over his four punts and pinned Bluefield inside their own 20 twice.