BABSON PARK, Fla. — The Ave Maria football team lost their conference opener Saturday against the Webber Warriors, falling 28-9. Turnovers were a problem for the Gyrenes has they handed the ball over three times to the Warriors.
Webber took an early lead in the first quarter Saturday, scoring on their opening after Ave Maria punted the ball following a three and out.
A couple of drives later, the Gyrenes gave up their first turnover of the game, an interception, which led to another Warrior touchdown and put WIU up 14-0.
Ave Maria turned the ball over again, this time on a fumble in rainy conditions in central Florida, but luckily weren't burned. Webber lined up to kick a 26-yard chip shot to increase their lead to three possessions, but the Gyrene defense had other plans. Elijah Douge wrapped around the line and got in front of the ball to block the kick. It was the first time since 2022 a Gyrene had a blocked a field goal when Brunel Desinor got in front of one against Florida Memorial.
Unfortunately, Ave Maria couldn't take hold of the momentum shift as another three and out forced a punt.
Webber started off the second quarter with their third touchdown of the game, putting them up 21-0.
After four punts between the two teams, the Gyrenes finally got on the board. A Webber punt from deep in their own end zone only made it out to the 33 yard line, which Roman Newkirk took back to the 22 yard line. An unsportsmanlike penalty then moved Ave Maria even closer up to the Webber 11 yard line. That set the Gyrenes up with great field position that led to a field goal. Enrique Olmos knocked his first field goal of the season through the uprights and put the Gyrenes on the board.
Fired up from the points, the defense made another huge play deep in Webber territory. Nick Thome, a sophomore transfer from Wisconsin-Whitewater, ripped the ball out the Warriors' running back's hands for his first fumble of the season. Webber took another unsportsmanlike penalty which set the Gyrenes up first and goal at the six.
Two plays later, Drew Lege found John Giampietro in the end zone for six points. It was both Lege's and Giampietro's first touchdown of the year. Unfortunately, the PAT was no good making the score 21-9.
That was the score going into halftime with neither team finding the board in their final possessions of the half. The Gyrene defense picked off the Warriors twice to end the half, but only get credit for one after a penalty erased the other. DJ Van Horn got credit for the one that counted and returned it for 65 yards, the longest of his career.
Webber scored a touchdown to start the third quarter scoring what ended up being the final points of the game.
Ave Maria got just two drives in the third quarter, fumbling the first and having a kick blocked on the second.
Neither team scored in the fourth quarter. In the final frame, Ave Maria was picked off once and turned the ball over on downs twice.
As a tandem, Drew Lege and Logan Howard went 21-for-37, passing for 161 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Roman Newkirk was the leading receiver, hauling in five catches for 52 yards. Devin Harris matched him with five receptions gaining 37 yards.
On the ground, Harris was also the leading rusher, netting 96 yards on 21 carries.
Defensively, Devin Grind led the team in both solo tackles with five and total tackles with seven. Ave Maria record two sacks with Nate Hyman getting a solo sack and John Suran and Evan Bolick teaming up for the other. Brian Holmes, Patrick Ferns and Owen Campione also had tackles for a loss.
With the loss, Ave Maria falls to 1-3 overall and starts conference play 0-1.
The Gyrenes are back home for their next game as they host the Thomas Night Hawks Saturday, October 5. It is Catholic Schools Night at Gyrene Field, and all Catholic School students and parents get in for free. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with gates opening at 5:30. The game can be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.
