Box Score BABSON PARK, Fla. (October 15, 2022) - Coming off the back of a big win over Southeastern University last week, the Webber International University football team hosted the Gyrenes of Ave Maria University on Saturday afternoon. A late touchdown from the Gyrenes earned them the 31-27 victory, handing the Warriors their second loss of the season.

It was a very even matchup as both teams had a near equal number of total offensive yards and both defenses forced two turnovers in the game. Slightly more of the Warriors' (3-2 overall, 1-1 SUN) yards came through the air while Ave Maria (4-1, 1-0) had slightly more yards in the ground game.

The Warriors first drive began with a miscued punt attempt that turned into a turnover on downs deep in their own half of the field. However, Webber's defense would make a critical stop on fourth-and-goal to regain possession without allowing any points. With just under six minutes left in the first quarter, the Gyrenes would again go for it on fourth down and once again would be stopped short of the first down marker. After driving into Gyrene-territory to the 48-yard line, Cody Braden would connect with DaShaun Young on a 40-yard completion to make it first-and-goal. The Warriors would run an option play and Braden would choose to keep it himself for an 8-yard touchdown run, earning a 7-0 lead.

Ave Maria would earn its first points of the game on the very next drive, capping it with a 47-yard field goal. The second play of Webber's next drive would be a pass that would be intercepted by the Gyrenes and returned 36 yards for a touchdown. The defensive touchdown gave AMU their first lead of the game with just 30 seconds left in the quarter.

After forcing the Gyrenes to punt, the Warriors had a 10-play 49 yard drive that ended in a missed 37 yard field goal attempt. With under three minutes left in the half, a 24-yard rush from AMU followed by a 69-yard touchdown pass would increase the lead to 17-7. The score remained as such at halftime.

With the first drive of the third quarter, Ave Maria drove down 71 yards but when faced with a third-and-goal at the one-yard line, a fumbled snap would be covered up by defensive lineman Rocky O'Rourke. The Warriors would be unable to convert the turnover into points, however. The Gyrenes had the ball with just under two minutes lef tin the quarter before a hit from Chase Watter would jar the ball loose and O'Rourke dove onto the free ball yet again.

The second offensive play following the turnover was a 38-yard touchdown scamper by Lavatus Watkins, cutting the deficit to just three at 17-14. Ave Maria responded on their next offensive possession in just eight plays, restoring the 10-point lead for the Gyrenes. With seven and a half minutes remaining, Braden would complete a 49-yard pass to Frederick Curry Jr. and a 36-yard pass to Antonio Dawson, putting the Warriors at first-and-goal on the four yard line. A few plays later, Roshaun Dudley powered his way into the endzone for a one-yard touchdown rush. The point-after-attempt was no good and Webber trailed 24-20.

The Warriors forced AMU into a three-and-out on their next drive and the Gyrenes were forced to punt. Dawson received the punt, bounced to the outside, and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown. The Warriors would regain the lead 27-24 with a little under four minutes to go in the game.

A seven-play 56 yard drive from Ave Maria ended in an eight-yard rush for a score, handing AMU the 31-27 lead. With a minute and 20 seconds left, the Warriors would have one last push for a winner. Four-straight completions from Braden put Webber on the opposing 28-yard line. Those were followed by four-straight incomplete passes as the Warriors took shots at the endzone but would be unable to regain the lead.

Offensively, the Warriors were led by Braden who ended the game 12-29 for 220 yards though the air. Leading the ground game was Tremon Bright with 20 carries for 89 yards. He was followed by Watkins with seven rushes for 60 yards and a touchdown. Dawson led the team in receiving with 71 yards on three catches while Curry Jr. had two grabs for 54 yards and DaShaun Young was three for 52 yards.

O'Rourke led the defense with 11 total tackles, half a sack, and two fumble recoveries. He was followed closely by Jalen Williams with 10 tackles and Tyron Washington with nine. Watter ended the game with six tackles and a forced fumble while Jaren Muse finished with seven tackles for the game.

The Warriors will now look ahead to their next matchup against Florida Memorial University at home in what will be homecoming weekend on Saturday, October 22nd at 1:30 p.m. on the Warrior Turf Field. It will be a whiteout game so all fans in attendance are encouraged to wear white for next Saturday.