WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football team ran into the only undefeated team in the Sun Division on Saturday afternoon, and fell 28-7 to the Keiser University Seahawks in West Palm Beach. Keiser scored one touchdown in each of the four quarters, and clinched their second consecutive division title with the victory in what was their season finale.
After the first three drives of the game ended in punts, Keiser struck first with 3:30 to play in the first quarter. A five play, 50 yard drive ended when Eli Mathews found Jerson Jacques from 15 yards out, putting Keiser in front 7-0. The touchdown pass came on third and eight, which was the only third down faced by the Seahawks in the opening drive.
That 7-0 lead held until midway through the second quarter, following two punts and a turnover on downs from the Gyrenes and two punts from the Seahawks. On the second play of the drive, Mathews connected with Jaylen Arnold for the second longest play of the day, a 57-yard strike that gave Keiser a 14-0 lead that would hold for the remainder of the half.
Keiser took the first drive of the second half down the field in nine plays, covering 62 yards. Mathews tossed his third touchdown of the day, this time finding Shavon Taylor for a 16 yard score. Keiser twice converted on third down during the opening drive of the half, including a 12-yard pass from Mathews to Arnold on third and nine from midfield.
Following two unsuccessful drives from each team, Ave Maria then put together their best drive of the day for a score. Over eight plays and 48 yards, the Gyrenes drove into Keiser territory, mostly powered by a 34-yard run from Khalid Shakir on fourth and two. On the second fourth down of the drive, fourth and goal from the two, Will Tate found Trevor Stockard for a 2-yard score, cutting Keiser's lead down to 21-7.
On the next play from scrimmage following the AMU touchdown, Keiser essentially put the game away as Antwione Sims broke a 60-yard touchdown run, which proved to be the final score of the afternoon.
Saturday was a breakout game for AMU true freshman running back Khalid Shakir, who logged over 100 yards of offense with 80 yards rushing on 14 carries, as well as two catches for 24 yards. Quarterback Will Tate completed 14 of his 25 passes, including the touchdown. Defensively, Connor Jewel had a big game for the Gyrenes, making four solo stops and eight assisted tackles. Jewel's 12 total tackles included one assisted tackle for loss.
The final road game of the season for the Gyrenes comes next Saturday, when Ave Maria heads north to Babson Park for a meeting with the Warriors of Webber International University. Kickoff between the Gyrenes and the Warriors is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
