BABSON PARK, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football team got back in the win column on Saturday afternoon, leaving Babson Park with a 26-14 victory over the Webber International University Warriors. The win moved AMU back to .500 on the season entering next week's season finale against Southeastern. The victory was also Ave Maria's first ever win in Babson Park, as the Warriors had beaten AMU in each of their four previous home football games.

A turnover set up Ave Maria's first touchdown of the game. After driving into AMU territory, Webber quarterback Elijah Stimmell was sacked by Jalyn Robinson, who proceeded to both force and recover a fumble at the Webber 47-yard line. Ten plays later, Will Tate ran into the endzone from two yards out, giving Ave Maria a 7-0 lead with 6:07 remaining in the first quarter. 

The 7-0 lead lasted until early in the second quarter, when the Gyrenes put together a nine-play, 72 yard drive. The drive, which included a conversion on third and 18, ended when Will Tate tossed a six-yard touchdown pass to Christian Jourdain. Webber would respond with a touchdown drive of their own to cut the Gyrene lead to 14-7, but Derek McCormick connected on a 35-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining in the half to give the Gyrenes a 17-7 lead heading to halftime.

On their first drive of the second half, the Gyrenes drove 66 yards in seven plays, capped off by a four-yard touchdown run from Charles Philias. AMU added two more points in bizarre circumstances. An Ave Maria fumble was initially recovered by Webber, but then was fumbled back into the endzone, where the Warriors fell on the ball for a safety. The safety increased Ave Maria's lead to 26-7, which proved to be more than enough for the Gyrenes.

Webber scored their final touchdown of the game with five minutes to play, and got the ball back with a chance to make it interesting with three minutes on the clock. However, Shane O'Brien intercepted Chase Jackson's pass on the first play of the drive, all but sealing the victory for the visitors.

Philias was the focal point of the Gyrene offense, running for 106 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. Through the air, Tate completed 14 of his 25 passes with one touchdown. Tate's favorite targets were Kevon O'Connor, Jourdain, and Jackson Mauricette, who combined for ten catches and 130 yards. Defensively, Connor Jewel led the way with seven solo tackles and an assisted stop, as the Gyrene defense recorded three turnovers - two fumbles and an interception.

Ave Maria completes the 2020 regular season with a first - a Thursday night battle. The Gyrenes will welcome the Southeastern University Fire to Gyrene Field for a rematch of the season opener. The Fire won 34-0 back on September 12 in Lakeland. With a victory, the Gyrenes could secure second place in the Mid-South Conference's Sun Division. Kickoff time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Ave Maria.