MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.- The Ave Maria University football team could not dig themselves out of an early hole on Saturday afternoon, falling 37-10 to the Lions of Florida Memorial University at Betty T. Ferguson Stadium. The Lions scored on each of their first three possessions to take a 17-0 lead, and Ave Maria was unable to fully recover. The loss dropped the Gyrenes to 2-5 on the season, with a 1-3 record in Sun Conference play.

Florida Memorial held the ball for most of the first quarter, starting the game on a 16 play, 75 yard drive that ended in a field goal. The Lions would score again in the first quarter after a long punt return set up a short field, then went up 17-0 early in the second quarter. 

Trailing 17-0, the Gyrenes' offense came to life with a 12 play, 65 yard drive of their own. Converting twice on third down and once on fourth down, the Gyrenes drove into Warner territory, and Bryan Stiemke punctuated the drive with a 26 yard scamper, cutting the FMU lead to 17-7.

Ave Maria rolled the dice on the ensuing kickoff, recovering an onside kick. AMU drove into the FMU redzone, but the drive was snuffed out on a blocked field goal. The Lions scored once more before the half on their second field goal, giving the hosts a 20-7 lead at halftime.

AMU got back within ten points on the opening drive of the second half, which was set up by a 39-yard kickoff return from Roman Newkirk. The Gyrenes picked up 27 yards on the drive, with Thomas Lilly knocking home a 40-yard field goal to cut the FMU lead to 20-10. However, that would be the end of Ave Maria's scoring for the day. FMU added a long touchdown pass and a field goal in the third, then concluded the day's scoring with another touchdown pass in the fourth.

Quarterback Drew Lege completed 12 of his 22 passes for 75 yards, with Ray Desanto serving as the team's leading receiver - Desanto hauled in three receptions for 56 yards, including a 23-yard catch that was the longest of the day for the Gyrenes. Bryan Stiemke led the running game with 67 yards on 20 carries, including the lone AMU touchdown. Elijah Douge was the top AMU tackler with seven total stops, while both Dray'sun Bonney and Jade Tenry added four solo tackles.

Ave Maria will play each of their next two contests at home, starting with next Saturday's Homecoming game. The Gyrenes will play host to the Royals of Warner University, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Ave Maria will be looking to avenge a 40-32 loss in Lake Wales last season, but have history on their side, as the Gyrenes have won three straight games against Warner at Gyrene Field, a streak dating back to the Sun Division clincher in 2018.