AVE MARIA, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football never got out of the starting blocks Saturday night at Gyrene Field, and suffered a 56-13 defeat at the hands of the Lions of Florida Memorial University. The Gyrene offense racked up more than 400 yards of offense, but the Lions consistently hit on big plays to play away from Ave Maria.

Ave Maria started well enough, grabbing an early 3-0 lead on a Dayllon De Paula field goal in the first quarter. That lead would last through the opening 15 minutes, but the Lions would grab full control in the second. The Lions scored on each of their drives in the second, including two scores from Walter Wilbon and a long touchdown pass to Tyrik Collins. 

The Gyrenes had their chances to hang around in the second, but turned the ball over once and were stopped deep in FMU territory late in the half. FMU's second quarter surge sent the Lions into halftime with a 21-3 lead.

Florida Memorial widened their lead to 28-3 on the first drive of the second half, but the Gyrenes wouldn't go away just yet. On the ensuing drive, Lege hit two big throws to Joshua Jenkins, including a 20-yard strike for AMU's lone touchdown of the night. 

That would prove to be the Gyrene highlight, as the Lions pulled away in the final quarter and a half, scoring four more touchdowns. The lone AMU score in the fourth quarter was the second field goal of the night from De Paula, a 27-yarder.

Despite the outcome, the Gyrenes did have a number of statistically solid performances. Lege threw for 238 yards, completing 26 of his 43 passes. Bryan Stiemke added 88 yards on 19 carries, while Joshua Jenkins hit the century mark through the air, grabbing eight passes for 109 yards. Nate Hyman was the leader of the Ave Maria defense, making seven tackles and pulling down an interception. 

Saturday's defeat came in the Sun Conference opener for both teams, giving the Gyrenes six more contests to make up ground in league play. The first of these will come next Saturday afternoon, when the Gyrenes head north to Georgia for a meeting with Thomas University. It will be the first-ever meeting in football between the two schools, as the Night Hawks are in their first season of competition. Kickoff from Thomasville is scheduled for noon in the Peach State.