Skyhawks come up short in Sunshine State
AVE MARIA, Fla. (Sept. 18, 2021) – The Point University football team traveled to face Ave Maria Saturday night and put up a resilient fight against the Gyrenes but were unable to earn the victory falling 37-26.
Both teams were looking to earn their first victory of the season coming into tonight's game. The Gyrenes (1-2) started the game off with a 35-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead. The Skyhawks (0-3) came out with high momentum in their opening drive, as Brenton White connected with Nick Marien for a 26-yard pass to open the possession; however, Point was unable to capitalize and a fumble quickly turned the ball back to AMU.
The turnover allowed the Gyrenes to add to their lead with a touchdown, making the score 10-0. Point would get the ball back at the end of the first quarter and White would connect for a 53-yard pass to CJ Henderson to set the Skyhawks up in AMU territory at the start of the second half. White would score Point's first touchdown of the game, bringing the score back within three (10-7).
Point's touchdown would not go unanswered, as Ave Maria would score a touchdown on the following possession to extend their lead back out to six, but the Gyrenes were unable to connect for the PAT. Neither team could find themselves in the endzone for the remainder of the half, and AMU entered the break, leading 16-7.
In the third quarter, both teams connected for two touchdowns, Point, however, was only able to connect for one PAT. In their opening possession of the half, Ave Maria scored to extend their lead out 23-7, but the following possession, an eight-yard touchdown rush from Adam Sanders, brought the Skyhawks back within 10.
The Gyrenes again would not allow a Point touchdown to go unanswered, as AMU scored another touchdown on their next possession, extending their lead back out 30-13. In the following possession, Allen would find Henderson and connect for a 41-yard pass to place the Skyhawks at the AMU one-yard line and the Skyhawks would go on to score another touchdown the following play.
The fourth quarter proved to be similar to the following two quarters, as the Gyrenes scored the first touchdown of the quarter and Point followed with a touchdown. The Skyhawks attempted to go for the 2-point conversion following Allen's 26-yard touchdown rush but were unsuccessful.
Trailing by 11, the Skyhawks found themselves in Ave Maria territory twice in their last two possessions but were unable to make up the distance.
The Skyhawks had 381 yards on offense, with 264 yards in the air and 117 rushing. Allen came off the bench to complete 12 of 21 passes for 139 yards and rushed for a touchdown. White started and completed seven for 16 passes for 125 yards and rushed for two touchdowns.
Sanders was the third Skyhawk to find the endzone, as he rushed for 35 yards behind Allen, who ran for 40. Henderson led Point in reception yards with 100 and Jacquez Bartley posted five catches and 38 yards.
On defense, Kameron Weems recorded 11 stops and Shakwan Bickley was closely behind him with nine. Gabriel Jacon-Duffy recorded a sack that resulted in 17 loss yards for AMU.
Up next, the Skyhawks will return to Florida to play No. 8 Keiser University on Saturday, Sept. 25. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Point's first home game of the season will be on Saturday, Oct. 2, as the Skyhawks begin Mid-South Conference play by hosting St. Andrews. That game will also be recognized as Point's Homecoming.