AVE MARIA, Fla. --- The Ave Maria football team gave 17th-ranked University of the Cumberlands all they could handle in Saturday night's season opener. The Gyrenes, who are receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Coaches' Poll, fell to the visiting Patriots 30-23 in overtime.
 
In the first overtime game seen at Gyrene field, both teams had a chance to end the game in regulation. The Gyrenes missed a 51-yard field goal with under a minute to play. After a 29-yard run by Patriot quarterback Josiah Robbins, Cumberlands had a 52-yard field goal attempt blocked by AMU as time expired.
 
In the extra period, Cumberlands got the ball first. Five straight runs by Martize Smith ended with him in the endzone and Cumberlands in front 30-23. On the Gyrenes' possession, AMU had third and eight on the Cumberlands 11 before a 15 yard sack by Kumi Sarpong put the Blue and Green in a fourth and 23 hole. Kristian Marks pass on fourth down was broken up in the endzone to end the game.
 
Marks, a sophomore who attempted just one pass a season ago, finished 13-for-26 for 128 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 71 yards and a score. He had one interception.
 
Cumberlands scored on their opening drive with a 21-yard field goal by Devon McMillan. The 3-0 deficit was erased to start the second half when Devyn McCormick nailed a 47-yard field goal to tie the game at three.
 
On their next drive, Marks led the Gyrenes on a six-play, 57-yard drive that ended with the quarterback finding the endzone on a seven yard run. After the extra-point by McCormick, AMU led 10-3.
 
Later in the quarter, Ave Maria increased its lead to 10 on a 38-yard field goal by McCormick. On the next drive for the Patriots, Nyre Holden broke though the AMU defense and ran 74 yards for a score.
 
The 17th-ranked team in the country regained the lead in the third quarter with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Robbins to Weston Hayes. AMU responded with a touchdown drive, capped by a 15-yard pass from Marks to Jackson Mauricette to put Ave Maria in front 20-17.
 
After a score by Cumberlands and a missed extra-point, McCormick hit his third field goal of the game, this time a 32-yard success, to tie the game at 23 late in the third quarter.
 
Kevon O'Connor was the top target for Marks with five receptions for 62 yards. After Marks, Charles Philias was the top ball carrier for the Gyrenes. Philias had 15 carries for 47 yards.
 
On the defensive side, Sterling Curran led AMU with 11 total tackles. Kobi Bowers had nine tackles and Savohn Hunt had eight for the Gyrenes. Bowers blocked Cumberlands 52-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation while Hunt also had one of the four tackles for a loss for AMU. Josh Natalus had four tackles and led the Blue and Green with three pass breakups.  
 
The Gyrenes had success on special teams. Hirsch and Josh Natalus combined for 57 punt return yards and O'Connor had five kick returns for 119 yards, including a long of 36.
 
McCormick was three-for-four on field goals, including makes from 32, 38, and 47 yards, and averaged 43 yards on his four punts.