MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Ave Maria Football team opened their conference schedule Saturday against the No. 9 St. Thomas Bobcats. The game quickly got out of hand for the Gyrenes as they fell 59-0.
The Bobcats scored three touchdowns in each of the first two quarters to take a 42-0 lead at half. Of their eight first half drives, only two did not result in a score. The Gyrene defense forced a three and out punt on the second drive and forced a turnover on downs at their own two-yard line to prevent another score.
In the second half, St. Thomas added their final 17 points in the third quarter. Ave Maria kept the Bobcats quiet in the fourth quarter, picking off a pass to end a drive and forcing a punt. Rashad Orr snagged the interception for the Gyrenes, getting his second pick and third forced turnover of the year.
Offensively, the Gyrenes had a tough time getting any momentum on the field. Ave Maria was held to just 83 yards of total offense. It was the first time in program history the Gyrenes had not reached triple digits in yardage.
Freshman Brycen Levidiotis led the team at quarterback, going 7-for-13 for 63 yards. His longest pass of the game was to Tyler Cordero for 29 yards. Cordero led the team in receiving yards with 37 off two receptions. Drew Mabrito and Joey Audia each tied for the most receptions with three.
On the ground, Logan Howard led the run game with 22 yards on nine carries. As a team, the Gyrenes finished the game with negative rushing yards, something that had not happened since September 4, 2021, against Georgetown.
Being held off the scoreboard, it was the first time the Gyrenes had been shutout since September 12, 2020, against the Southeastern Fire. That snapped a 49-game scoring streak for the Gyrenes, which was the fourth longest streak in the Sun Conference.
With the loss, Ave Maria falls to 1-3 and starts conference play 0-1.
The Gyrenes are back home for the next game as they play host to the Webber Warriors. Webber won their first game against Ave Maria since 2018 last season, and the Gyrenes are eager to avenge the loss. The Warriors beat Warner Saturday to keep the Lake Caloosa Trophy and move to 1-0 in conference play.
The game October 11 is the finale of a quadruple header on the campus of Ave Maria, with the annual Ave Maria Cross Country Invitational that morning, Women's Soccer hosting Warner, Volleyball hosting New College and Football hosting Webber. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Urban Edge Network.
