LAKE WALES, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football team came up one possession short Saturday night, falling 40-32 to the Warner University Royals in Lake Wales. Warner's win ended a three-game winning streak in the series for the Gyrenes, and ended a 14-game losing streak in Sun Conference/Sun Division play for the Royals.
The Gyrenes started fast on Saturday, scoring on their first possession to take a 7-0 lead. Logan Howard marched the Gyrenes 58 yards on seven plays, capping the drive with a three-yard touchdown run. The teams traded field goals late in the first quarter, with Ave Maria holding a 10-3 lead heading into the second quarter.
Warner responded with three touchdowns in the second quarter, taking a lead into the halftime break. Warner tied the game at ten, but the Gyrenes reclaimed the lead at 16-10 thanks to a Bryan Stiemke touchdown run.
The Royals then scored two touchdowns in the span of 43 seconds, taking a 17-16 lead on a rushing touchdown, then extending the lead to eight on a pick six. AMU was able to get into field goal range before the half ended, with Dayllon De Paula converting from 21 yards out to cut the Warner lead to 24-19 at the half.
Ave Maria got the lead back on two occasions in the second half, holding leads of 26-24 and 32-31. Stiemke was responsible for both AMU touchdowns in the second half, first scoring on a seven-yard run, then scoring his third touchdown of the night on a 15-yard reception from Drew Lege late in the third quarter.
However, Warner was able to reclaim the lead on both occasions, including taking the lead for good at 37-32 with 11:15 to play. The Royals made it an eight point game with 2:18 to play, giving Ave Maria one final chance to send the game to overtime.
AMU's final drive started in Warner's territory, as a Andre Cruz return, coupled with a Warner personal foul, put the Gyrenes at the Warner 46. However, the Gyrenes were only able to gain nine yards on four plays, coming up a yard short on fourth and two to clinch victory for the Royals.
Defensively, the standout for the Gyrenes was senior linebacker Connor Jewel. Jewel logged 19 tackles in the losing effort, including nine solo stops and an assisted tackle for loss. Jewel's effort set a new program record for tackles in a game, breaking Shane O'Brien's record of 18, set against Keiser in 2021.
Stiemke logged more than 100 total yards on offense, running for 80 yards on 20 carries and adding four receptions for 38 yards. The junior scored three of AMU's four touchdowns on the day, with two rushing and one receiving. Joshua Jenkins also had a solid game through the air, logging six receptions for 75 yards.
Ave Maria's 2023 season comes to an end next Saturday, when the Gyrenes travel to Victory Field in Lakeland for a meeting with Southeastern University. Kickoff of the season finale for both teams is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
