AVE MARIA, Fla. — Warner University Football came up just short in a hard-fought Sun Conference matchup, falling 22-20 to the Ave Maria University Gyrenes on Saturday night at Gyrene Field.
The Royals (3-5, 2-2 SUN) put together a strong defensive and offensive effort, outgaining the Gyrenes 328-183 in total offense and holding Ave Maria to just one third-down conversion on 12 attempts. However, a late fourth-quarter touchdown by the hosts proved to be the difference in the contest.
Warner opened the game with an impressive scoring drive, marching 75 yards in seven plays. Quarterback Traven Green connected with Trevarus Walker for a four-yard touchdown, and Nicholas Andreopoulos added the extra point to give the Royals a 7-0 lead.
Ave Maria responded with a touchdown of its own to close the gap to 7-6. Warner continued to move the ball in the second quarter, with Andreopoulos converting field goals from 41 and 47 yards to put the Royals ahead 13-6.
The Gyrenes answered with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, tying the game at 13-13 before adding a field goal just before halftime to take a 16-13 advantage into the break.
Warner regained the lead in the third quarter. After a 53-yard drive, Joshua Dudley punched in a four-yard rushing touchdown, and Andreopoulos' extra point gave the Royals a 20-16 advantage. Warner's defense continued to limit the Gyrenes, keeping them scoreless in the third quarter and allowing just 52 net rushing yards throughout the game.
The Royals entered the fourth quarter holding a four-point lead, but Ave Maria put together a 93-yard drive late in the period. Logan Howard scored on a 26-yard run with 1:37 remaining, and the Gyrenes converted the touchdown while failing on the subsequent two-point attempt, taking a 22-20 lead.
Warner looked to respond, but Ave Maria's defense held on to secure the two-point victory.
Green completed 22 of 45 passes for 226 yards and one touchdown, while Walker led the receiving corps with seven catches for 108 yards and a touchdown. Deejay Grimes paced the ground game with 80 rushing yards on 16 carries.
Defensively, Eysaw Parrish led the Royals with eight total tackles. Elijah Perry added five tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while Jhavin Westbrook recorded five tackles and an interception.
Despite the narrow defeat, Warner's offense finished with 19 first downs and 328 total yards, while the defense recorded three sacks and forced an interception.
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