AVE MARIA, Fla. — The Ave Maria Football scored the most points in a game since 2023 Saturday night as they cruised past the Trinity Tigers 45-7. Ave Maria scored on their second offensive play from scrimmage and never looked back.
After a quick three-and-out forced by the Gyrene defense, Ave Maria traveled 60 yards in two plays to score the first touchdown of the game. Logan Howard opened the drive with a 32 yard run up the middle to set the Gyrenes up at the 28-yard line. Then quarterback Joe Thole connected with Joshua Raphael for the touchdown that put Ave Maria up 6-0. Along with being the freshman's first career touchdown, it was his first collegiate reception as well.
A few drives later, Ave Maria found the end zone again, this time after a sustained eight-play drive. Trinity had failed a fourth down attempt and set the Gyrenes up at the Tigers' 39-yard line. Ave Maria methodically marched down the short field and Reggie McBride punched the ball in for the score. A good PAT gave the Gyrenes a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
At the start of the second quarter, Trinity scored their lone touchdown of the evening to make it 13-7. This gave the Tigers a little hope as they got back within score of the Gyrenes, but Ave Maria very quickly squashed any thought of a comeback.
On the ensuing drive, Ave Maria scored a touchdown to complete a nine-play, 73-yard drive. Thole tossed his second touchdown of the night, this time to Oliver Neiman in the corner of the end zone, putting the Gyrenes up 19-7. For the sophomore Neiman, it was the first collegiate touchdown of his career. Another successful PAT put AMU on top 20-7.
The defense then forced their third three-and-out of the night and brought the offense back on to the field, who then scored again. Isaiah Thomas was the Gyrene to find blue paint this time as he ran the ball in for a six-yard touchdown. Continuing the trend of the game, it was also the first career touchdown for Thomas as well.
Ave Maria lit the scoreboard up one more time in the first half, as Jake Matigian split the uprights for his first field goal of the game. The sophomore kicker hit from 30 yards to put the Gyrenes up 30-7 right before halftime.
In an unfortunate series of events, the game entered a delay following the field goal. A Trinity Tiger player suffered a medical event and had to be flown off the field. The seriousness of the event ended the second quarter early and pushed back the start of the third quarter.
In a touching moment, the Gyrene faithful at the game Saturday night prayed throughout the delay both as a group and in a prayer session led by Director of Campus Ministry Father Joseph Lugalambi.
Trinity decided they wanted to proceed with the second half and finish out the game. When the Tigers returned to the field, they got a standing ovation from the fans at Gyrene Field.
Both teams punted to start the second half, but then the Gyrenes found their way back into the end zone. Thole connected with Raphael for the duo's second touchdown of the night, putting AMU up 37-7.
During the following Trinity drive, the Ave Maria defense logged their first turnover of the night. On a long third down play, the Tigers' quarterback floated a ball that sailed over the intended receiver's head but right into the awaiting arms of freshman defensive back Gabe Escalera for his first interception of the season.
The AMU defense kept the pressure up as on the next Trinity drive the Gyrenes dove on a loose ball for their second turnover. Again, it was Escalera getting credit for the turnover as he dove on the football that just sailed pass the quarterback's hands.
The Gyrenes kicked a field goal following the fumble recovery to go up 40-7.
As if Saturday night was not strange enough, on the succeeding kickoff, Trinity bobbled the ball and it squirted out the end zone for an Ave Maria safety. It was the first safety for the Gyrene defense since 2020 and put the Gyrenes up 42-7.
Both teams wound down in the fourth quarter with not a lot of action happening in the final frame. Matigian hit his third field goal of the game and sophomore Michael Wright picked off a pass for the defense's third and final turnover of the night.
When the clock hit triple zeroes, the Gyrenes walked off the field with a 45-7 victory. It is the most points Ave Maria has scored in a game since September 30, 2023, when they put up 50 points against Fort Lauderdale.
Thole was the leading passer for the Gyrenes, completing 12 of 23 attempts for 183 yards and three touchdowns. His leading receiver was Rapheal, who hauled in four passes and two touchdowns for 60 yards.
On the ground, the Gyrenes registered 272 yards from 12 different ball carriers. It is the most yardage gained on the ground this season for Ave Maria. Javien Durham led the charge with 61 yards on 11 carries.
On defense, Escalera and Wright added the fifth and sixth interceptions of the season for the Gyrenes. Marco Casci had the most tackles for a loss, logging two for a loss of six yards.
On special teams, Matigian was 3-for-4 on field goals, matching his career high for field goals in a game.
With the win, Ave Maria improves to 2-2 on the season and closes out their non-conference schedule.
Now the Gyrenes turn their attention to the Sun Conference as league play begins Saturday October 3. The Sun opener brings the #10 St. Thomas Bobcats to town who are 4-0 to start the season. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed live on the Sun Digital Network.
