AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football program unveiled its 2022 schedule on Friday, a ten-game slate that will see the Gyrenes take on a number of first-time opponents. Recently, the Sun Division of the Mid-South Conference became the stand-alone Sun Conference, which afforded much more flexibility in scheduling.
"This is the first time since 2016 that AMU has control of its entire non-conference schedule," said Director of Athletics Joe Patterson, who also serves as the head football coach. "That gave us an opportunity to investigate a whole range of possibilities."
The 2022 season is scheduled to begin on August 27, when Ave Maria heads to Michigan to take on the Madonna University Crusaders, the first of four new opponents. The AMU home opener follows on September 3, when the Gyrenes welcome the Lawrence Tech (Mich.) Blue Devils to Gyrene Field. Lawrence Tech, who will face the Gyrenes for the first time as well, finished the 2021 season with a 7-4 overall record. Ave Maria's non-conference schedule continues a week later, when Ave Maria plays at Fort Lauderdale on September 10.
The final of Ave Maria's out-of-state opponents comes on September 17, following an AMU bye week. The Gyrenes will travel to Maryland to take on the Seagulls of Salisbury University. Salisbury was a top NCAA Division III program in 2021, going 8-2 and finishing in the national top 15 of the AFCA Division III Coaches' Poll.
"It's exciting to see new teams from different parts of the country," said Patterson. "We have more Michigan and Maryland students on campus than any other non-Florida state, so it's particularly exciting that we get to travel to both of those states."
After the three non-conference games to start the season, Sun Conference play will open on September 1, when the Gyrenes host Southeastern University, one of the Mid-South Conference Sun Division co-champions from 2021.
In the second half of the season, the Ave Maria schedule includes home conference games against St. Thomas (October 22) and Warner (November 12). Away from home, AMU will take on Webber (October 15), Keiser (October 29), and Florida Memorial (November 5).
All Ave Maria home games will be played under the lights at Gyrene Field, with 7:00 kickoff times. Times for the road games will be posted at a later date. Any special events associated with AMU home football games will be announced in the coming months. All Sun Conference games or AMU home games will be available to watch on The Sun Digital Network. Additional information about the 2021 Ave Maria football season will follow throughout the remainder of spring and summer.
