SOUTHFIELD, Mich.- The Ave Maria University football team couldn't replicate their late game magic from a season ago, and dropped a 21-19 decision to the Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech at Blue Devils Stadium in Southfield, Michigan Saturday night. The Gyrenes could not overcome Blue Devil big plays and three turnovers, although the Gyrenes did have several chances late to emerge victorious.
Ave Maria moved the ball well early on, moving into Lawrence Tech territory in their first drive before cashing in on drive number two. On that drive, the Gyrenes put together a 15-play, 65-yard drive, converting on four different third downs, including a touchdown pass from Drew Lege to Roman Newark on third and goal from the six to put AMU up 6-0.
Lawrence Tech would claim the lead early in the second quarter, going up 7-6 on a 73-yard touchdown pass. The game would remain 7-6 until the closing moments of the first half, when AMU ran the two-minute drill to perfection. The Gyrenes got the ball with 2:04 remaining in the half, and moved 63 yards on seven plays, with Lege finding Joshua Jenkins from 20 yards out to give Ave Maria a 13-7 lead at halftime.
AMU moved inside the Lawrence Tech ten yard line on the first drive of the second half, but missed a 24-yard field goal. Lawrence Tech then grabbed the momentum of the game, taking a 14-13 lead on an 80-yard touchdown pass that would give the Blue Devils a lead they would not relinquish. The game remained 14-13 for the remainder of the third quarter, with a key fumble recovery from Solomon Davis keeping AMU within one headed to the fourth.
The Blue Devils extended their lead to 21-13, taking advantage of a botched snap on an Ave Maria punt midway through the fourth quarter. Ave Maria wasn't done yet, responding with a seven play, 75-yard drive. Lege tossed his third touchdown pass of the day, this one to Brock Summers, to pull the Gyrenes within two at 21-19. However, the two-point conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the Gyrenes still down two.
Ave Maria's defense came up with a stop, giving the Gyrenes the ball back at their own 25 with 1:40 to play. However, AMU's comeback attempt lasted just one play, as Lawrence Tech recovered a fumble, Ave Maria's sixth of the night, to all but seal the final result.
Junior wideout Joshua Jenkins was the standout of the night for the Gyrenes on offense, catching 12 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. Jenkins' 12 catches sets a new single-game program record, and the yardage total was just eight shy of Jenkins' existing school record. Jenkins also became AMU's all-time leader in receiving yards, moving to 1747 career yards and past former record holder Travis Makauskas.
Elsewhere, Lege threw for 287 yards and three touchdowns, and Donald Chester led AMU's rushing efforts with 68 yards on 15 carries.
Defensively, Triston Schultz had an excellent game on the defensive line, racking up seven total tackles with three sacks, tied for the most by any AMU player in a single game. Shane O'Brien was Ave Maria's leading tackler with eight, while Nate Hyman and Luis Nunez both pulled down interceptions.
Ave Maria will get next week off, then will travel to the Lone Star State for a September 16 meeting with Texas Lutheran.
