LIVONIA, Mich.- The Ave Maria University football team started off the 2022 season in grand fashion on Saturday, running past the Madonna University Crusaders, 53-0, at Churchill Stadium in Michigan. The win marked the largest margin of victory in the history of Ave Maria football. It was also the fourth shutout in the 12-year history of the program, and the first to come away from southwest Florida.

Ave Maria head coach Joe Patterson said the Gyrenes were more than up for their first challenge of the season, and each unit on the roster showed it. 

"We were able to execute in all three phases," Patterson said. "The team reacted well to its first test of the season, and I was impressed with the physicality and discipline of the team."

It took barely more than 100 seconds for the Gyrenes to start the scoring, with the first touchdown coming on the third play of the season. On third and six, Kristian Marks found Brock Summers for a 47-yard touchdown, giving the Gyrenes a 6-0 lead. 

The lead would balloon to 20-0 by the end of the first quarter, as the Gyrenes scored on each of their first three drives. After forcing a punt on Madonna's first drive, the Gyrenes went 51 yards on seven plays, ending on a one-yard score from Quino Mauricette. The third drive saw Marks toss his second touchdown of the day, finding Joshua Jenkins from 20 yards out.

Beginning in the second quarter and continuing into the third, Bryan Stiemke made his presence felt, scoring each of Ave Maria's final three touchdowns. Stiemke scored on runs of two, 19, and 38 yards, and had Ave Maria on top 47-0 by the time he was done scoring. The sophomore finished the day with ten carries for 115 yards and three scores.

The final six points of the day came on special teams, as a pair of newcomers hit their first field goals as a Gyrene. Evan West connected from 19 yards out with 8:40 to play, and Kieran O'Neil made a 25-yarder in the final minute to close the scoring.

Offensively, the Gyrenes racked up 476 yards of total offense, including 369 yards on the ground. Ave Maria tied a school record with five rushing touchdowns in the victory, and came within 15 yards of breaking the school record for rushing yards in a game. In addition to the effort from Stiemke, Quino Mauricette was also over 100 yards for AMU.

On defense, Ave Maria held Madonna to under 200 total yards, and forced three turnovers. The AMU front seven accounted for six sacks, with three coming from sophomore Willie Jackson. Brian Galasso added eight total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and an interception, while Marquis Medina came up with Ave Maria's other interception.

Patterson stated postgame he was impressed with the depth of Ave Maria's efforts in the season opener.

"The contributions came from a variety of sources," Patterson remarked. "It was a true team effort."

Next Saturday will be the home opener for the Gyrenes, as the Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech come to Ave Maria. Kickoff from Gyrene Field is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.