Football | 2/28/2022 4:55:00 PM

AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria football team capped its spring practices with its annual Blue-Green Game, which pits the Gyrene offense against the AMU defense in a variety of scenarios.

"I thought there was great energy, discipline, and competition," head coach Joe Patterson said. "All three phases of the game had several highlights today."

For the Ave faithful, it was the first time to see the Gyrene offense under the direction of the new offensive coordinator Gage Hayes. 

"It was great to see our guys get a chance to compete and get excited after the work they have put in up to this point," Hayes said. "I feel like we accomplished what we wanted to accomplish as far as setting the foundation of our offense moving forward."

The game started with the defense posting a three-and-out, the first of four three-and-out's on the day, a fact that pleased defense coordinator Keith Gilmore.

"The spring game was a great opportunity for us to evaluate our system and players in a game-type environment," Gilmore said. "Our young players made great strides, and we'll continue to develop into a competitive defensive unit."

The offense responded on the second drive, shifting into a wildcat formation that sprang tailback Quino Mauricette for a 26-yard run. Five plays later, some misdirection in the backfield aided Mauricette in piercing the defense for an eight-yard touchdown run. 

Kristian Marks was the quarterback for the first drive, Drew Lege was the quarterback for the second drive, and Bryce McGill took the reins for the third drive, which consisted of a "two-minute drill" situation where the offense started with 90 seconds on the clock and one timeout, trailing by three points. 

Charles Philias ripped off an 11-yard run to start the drive, but the defense immediately stiffened, forcing three consecutive incomplete passes. On fourth-and-10, McGill connected down the sidelines with Darius Sawyer for an electrifying 54-yard touchdown.

Matt Shannon directed the fourth drive, one that ended as a three-and-out as Eric Marshall made a key tackle of tight end Michael McGrath short of the line to gain. The defense continued to roll, pitching another three-and-out on the next drive as good coverage and good pressure forced Marks to throw the ball out of bounds on third down.

It was the sixth drive that the Gyrene offense looked the best. Starting at their own one-yard line, the offense marched 99 yards on 14 plays and capped the drive with a touchdown pass from McGill to tight end Brock Summers. The drive had nearly stalled at the offense's own six yard line, but a clutch connection between McGill and Joey Klucik converted a third-and-five. 

Philias was the featured back during the drive, converting a third-and-three and carrying the ball six times for 44 yards. Both Klucik and Roc Irlbeck had two receptions on the drive, and Roman Newkirk had a reception that got the offense into the redzone to set up the score by Summers.

The seventh drive was a "red zone" drive that resulted in another stop by the defense. The eighth drive featured Mauricette, who ripped off four straight carries, netting two first downs. A Shannon quarterback keeper gave the offense a third first down, but a sack by Jarrius Ruth and consecutive nice coverage plays by Devin Grind and Matt Phelan stalled the drive.

On the ninth and final drive, Bryan Stiemke had three impressive, tough runs, each of which was 10 yards or more. Lege started the drive and McGill finished it, this time with a third-and-goal connection with Declan Jones for the touchdown. McGill had more throws than the rest of the quarterbacks combined, finishing 11-of-16 for 139 yards and three touchdowns.

The football program will open their 2022 on August 27 in Michigan, the first of four non-conference games prior to turning their attention to the Sun Conference schedule.