AVE MARIA, Fla. — Multiple turnovers and a dominating ground game were key to the Gyrenes' 28-14 win over the Thomas Night Hawks. Ave Maria scored on their first four offensive possessions of the game and cruised to their first conference win of the season.
On the opening drive, the Ave Maria defense got their first big turnover of the night with linebacker Randy Russ jumping on a loose ball. The fumble recovery was a big momentum shift as Thomas would have converted on a fourth had they held on to the ball.
The fumble recovery started the Gyrenes at their own 40 yard line, and they marched 60 yards down the field to score the touchdown. A chunk of the yards came on a big pass play with Drew Lege finding Roman Newkirk for a 34-yard pass that set Ave Maria up just outside the red zone. A few plays later, Logan Howard punched the ball in for the first score of the game.
The next Thomas possession also ended in a turnover, this time with an interception from defensive lineman Nick Thome. It is the sophomore transfer's first interception of his career and set Ave Maria up in the red zone.
After a 20-yard touchdown pass was called back due to holding, Devin Harris in his first start at running back for the Gyrenes, found a gap in the line and hurried into the end zone for the second score of the game. The 20-yard touchdown run was his longest of the night.
Although their third time out on the field didn't end with a turnover, the Gyrene defense did force a three and out and a punt from the Night Hawks.
On their third possession, the Gyrenes had a steady diet of run plays. The big rush of the drive was from Amarion Hover, who ran a game-high 29 yards to put the Gyrenes in the red zone.
A few plays out of the quarter break, Lege found Harris in the end zone to put Ave Maria up 21-0.
After Thomas got on the board with their first touchdown, the Gyrene offense continued their streak by scoring on their fourth straight possession.
Ave Maria got great field position starting on Thomas side of the field thanks to a 32-yard return from Ross off a squib kick. The Gyrenes continued to pound the ball down the field and work their way into the red zone. Howard capped the drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to Wesley From as he was falling in the corner of the end zone. It was the first receiving touchdown for From this season and second passing touchdown for Howard.
Thomas tried to comeback, but the defense continued to lay down the law. Ave Maria got their third turnover of the night at the end of the second quarter with John Suran jumping another loose ball from the Night Hawks running back.
In the fourth quarter, the Gyrenes forced their third fumble of the game, this time Willie Jackson pouncing on the free ball.
The fifth and final turnover for the Gyrene defense was in the last minute of the game as Suran picked off the Night Hawk quarterback to ice the game. It was the first interception of his career allowed the Gyrenes to take a knee in the final 30 seconds and win the game 28-14.
Overall, Ave Maria forced five turnovers. That is the most in a single game since October 14, 2023, when the Gyrenes did the same against Webber.
"Turnovers are obviously critical in regard to field position, but the injection of energy and excitement they provide is also substantial," said head coach Joe Patterson following the win.
Offensively, the run game was the main threat for the Gyrenes on Saturday. As a team, AMU rushed for 228 yards, which is also the most since the same game against Webber in 2023. Harris led the team with 136 rushing yards. Hover was right behind him with 94.
"I though we did a great job of establishing the run game early," said Patterson. "The line and the backs worked well together."
With the win, Ave Maria improves to 2-3 overall and 1-1 in conference play.
The win was part of a quadruple header for Ave Maria athletics, with the Gyrenes coming on top in every event/game. The other three wins were Men's Cross Country team finishing first in the Ave Maria Invitational, Women's Soccer defeating Warner, and Volleyball beating Webber.
"This was a wonderful, full day affair for Ave Athletics. Four events and four victories, it was great that football could provide the exclamation point," said Patterson.
The Gyrenes are off in Week 7 and are back in action Saturday, October 19, against the St. Thomas Bobcats. STU has been ranked in the top 12 all season long and was number 6 in the country entering October 5. It is Military and First Responders Night at Gyrene Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30. The game can be streamed on the Sun Digital Network.
