AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football team remained on the winning track on Saturday night, cruising to a 28-13 victory over the visiting Warriors of Webber International University on Homecoming Night at Gyrene Field. The Gyrenes led for all but about eleven minutes of Saturday night's contest, and scored twice in the third quarter to remain unbeaten in Sun Division play.
Ave Maria head coach Joe Patterson spoke postgame about Ave Maria's ability to control their own destiny - with each win, the following week's game remains important in the conference title race.
"We talked about the neccesity to win each game, so that every game mattered, and this was an important victory for us."
It took less than four minutes for the Gyrenes to take the lead on Saturday night, as AMU scored on the very first drive of the game. Ave Maria marched down the field in seven plays, covering 77 yards, before Charles Philias punched it in from three yards out on first and goal. The Gyrenes then intercepted the first pass of the game for the Warriors, but were held to a missed field goal.
After Webber tied the game on a short touchdown run midway through the first quarter, Ave Maria took the lead for good early in the second. The Gyrenes went on another lengthy drive, which took 13 plays, covered 72 yards, and burned almost seven and a half minutes off the clock. Will Tate scored from four yards for AMU's second running score of the night, giving the Gyrenes a 14-7 lead they would take into halftime.
Ave Maria then scored on back-to-back drives in the third quarter to essentially put the Warriors in the rearview mirror. After forcing a punt on Webber's first drive of the second half, the Gyrenes hit their biggest play of the night. Tate tossed a strike to Joshua Jenkins, who strolled into the endzone for a 54-yard score.
AMU put the game out of reach on their next drive, using another ten play drive and taking more than five minutes off the clock before Philias scored his second touchdown of the game, a seven yard burst. Webber scored a touchdown in the final minute of the game, but AMU recovered the ensuing onside kick to ensure any chances of a massive Webber comeback were scuttled.
Patterson said the Gyrenes have come out of the locker room with a surge in each of the past two weeks, proving to be crucial in AMU's wins over Southeastern and Webber.
"That's two weeks in a row where our third quarter turned out to be significant for us," Patterson said. "There was an energy coming out of the locker room at halftime that proved significant."
Tate was sensational at the quarterback position, completing 17 of his 23 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns. His favorite target was Jenkins, who hauled in six catches for 134 yards, including his long touchdown reception. Running back Charles Philias eclipsed the 100 yard mark with 25 carries for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Dominic Morgan led the way with seven tackles, while Jalyn Robinson caused havoc with two sacks and five total tackles.
Next week's game is a huge one for AMU, as it will pit the final two teams with undefeated records in Sun Division play. Ave Maria will head across the state to take on the Bobcats of St. Thomas University, who are currently 7-0 and ranked 24th in the nation. Patterson said the challenge is a welcome one for the Gyrenes.
"It's always exciting to play a great team, and obviously with them being undefeated and nationally ranked, it will be a great challenge and a great opportunity for us," he said.
That game will kick off at 6:00 p.m. at Monsignor Pace High School in Miami Gardens.
