MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football team could not overcome five turnovers on Saturday night, and dropped a 45-10 decision to the No. 25 St. Thomas University Bobcats. The host Bobcats hauled in five interceptions and blocked a punt to remain undefeated on the season, while the Gyrenes dropped to 3-5 on the season with three games to play.
The game got off to a picture perfect start for the Gyrenes, as the first three drives of the night could not have gone better. The AMU defense forced a three-and-out to start the game, and the offense gained 68 yards in just four plays, capped off by a 41-yard touchdown pass from Will Tate to Roman Newkirk. The defense then forced another three-and-out, giving the Gyrenes the ball back.
Saturday's game turned on Ave Maria's second offensive possession. After a first down run from Tate, the senior quarterback had a pass intercepted by Caleb Walker, who returned the pick 65 yards for an STU touchdown to tie the game at seven. St. Thomas, with full control of the momentum, forced a Gyrene three and out and proceeded to drive 95 yards on 14 plays, capped off by a touchdown pass from Tyler Thomas to Khalitri Zow.
St. Thomas scored again at the start of the second half, taking advantage of their second interception to lead to a Samir English-Brown touchdown run. The third AMU interception of the night also led to STU points, as Alejandro Prado kicked a field goal just before halftime to give the Bobcats a 24-7 lead.
Both of St. Thomas' scores in the third quarter came without the aid of a long drive. The Bobcats scored on a blocked punt from Xavier Mitchell, then finished a 13-yard drive on a Thomas pass to Eric Demps following the last of the STU defense's five interceptions.
Ave Maria did get back on the board in the fourth quarter on a 28 yard field goal from Brendan Clark. Backup quarterback Kristian Marks led the Gyrenes on the drive, throwing for 28 yards and running for eleven more to get Ave Maria down the field.
Roman Newkirk was a bright spot on the night for the Gyrenes. The sophomore pulled in four catches for 70 yards and a touchdown, and averaged more than 40 yards per punt. Newkirk boomed three punts of longer than 50 yards, and tied the school record with a 65 yard punt. Newkirk also added three kickoff returns for a total of 54 yards, giving him 126 all purpose yards.
Ave Maria is still in second place in the Sun Division, with three games remaining on the schedule. The next of these contests marks AMU's return to Gyrene Field, with the Lions of Florida Memorial University coming to town for just the second time ever. Kickoff between the Lions and the Gyrenes is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Gyrene Field in Ave Maria.
