DAYTON, Ohio — The Ave Maria football team played their second NCAA Division I team of the season and seventh in program history Saturday afternoon against the Dayton Flyers. For the third game in a row, the Gyrenes grabbed an early lead against a DI team but couldn't hold it as Dayton won 49-7.

Ave Maria came out swinging to start the first quarter, with the defense forcing a three-and-out against the Flyers on the opening drive.

The ensuing series for the Gyrenes was a textbook drive as Ave Maria marched 72 yards down the field in eight plays for a touchdown. The bulk of the yards were gained on a big 36-yard run from Bryan Stiemke that set the Gyrenes up in the red zone. Just a few plays later, Logan Howard found Thomas Schiavoni in the back of the end zone for the first points of the game. James Carlini hit the extra point making him 4-for-4 on the year on PATs.

It was Howard's first touchdown pass of the year and second of his career, while it was the first ever collegiate touchdown for Schiavoni.

With the score, it was the third straight game against an NCAA DI opponent where the Gyrenes struck first. Ave Maria did so in week one of this season and on September 11, 2021, both of which were against the Stetson Hatters.

Unfortunately for the Gyrenes, they could not keep the lead. Dayton scored a touchdown on four of their next five drives in the first half, all while keeping the Gyrenes out of the end zone, to take a 28-7 lead at the break.

The Gyrenes did have a chance to get on the board again in the second quarter but missed a field goal from 40 yards out.

Ave Maria got the ball to start the second half and put together a nice drive going 52 yards on nine plays but could not cash in with points. The drive stalled out around the Dayton 23 yard line and another missed field goal turned the ball over.

Dayton added 21 more points to their total all while forcing four more three-and-outs against the Gyrenes.

At quarterback, the tandem of Drew Lege and Howard went a combined 10-for-21 with 122 yards. Lege completed seven of the passes for 78 while Howard completed three for 44 yards and a touchdown.

On the ground, Bryan Stiemke had the big run but was held in check outside of that, rushing for 58 yards on 13 attempts. Reggie McBride also hit double digits on the ground with 29 yards on seven attempts.

Roman Newkirk led the receivers with a season-high 81 yards on four receptions.

Defensively, Evan Bolick and Brian Holmes each got a sack for four and 12 yards, respectively. DJ Van Horn had two pass breakups and Devin Grind added a third. Van Horn also led the team with nine solo tackles. John Suran tied him for the team lead in total tackles with 10.

With the loss, the Gyrenes fall to 1-2 and are finished with their out of conference schedule.

The heart of the season begins next week when the Gyrenes start Sun Conference play. Their conference opener is on the road Saturday, September 28, against the Webber Warriors. Ave Maria has won the last five matchups against the Warriors dating back to 2019. The last time the two teams played in Babson Park was in 2022 and had a dramatic finish. Bryan Stiemke scored a touchdown on an eight-yard run with just a 1:20 seconds left in the game to put the Gyrenes up 31-27. The defense then held strong in the final minute as the Gyrenes got the win.

Kickoff is set 1:30 p.m. and the game can be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.