Rushing Attack Buries Gyrenes in Florida

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Ave Maria (Fla.) Sports Information

AVE MARIA, Fla. – The 13^th-ranked Eagles improved to 3-2 on the season after gaining 346 yards on the ground and scoring six rushing touchdowns to pull away from Ave Maria (Fla.), 40-16, under the lights Saturday night.

The Gyrenes proved-to-be a tough opponent on their home field at night – a trend that's been building at Ave Maria – as they stayed within one score at 13-7 heading to the locker room at halftime.

Reinhardt, who got two touchdowns from Bryce Burgess in the opening half, watched as he crossed the goal line once again early in the in the third period from four yards away. That touchdown run seemed to energize the team as it finished the game on a 27-9 run.

"Great win and a great second half," lead Eagle James Miller said. "It's the first win in the history of the program over 10-plus hours away from home; proud of them. It's tough to take these trips and win a game, and it's long for the kids, especially playing a night game. I thought we were very physical, and we pounded the football, as Devyn Collins and Bryce Burgess ran the ball really hard. I thought we made some crucial stops in second half and we laid some big-time hits all night. I thought Devin Harris really stepped up and made some crucial plays for us as well – I love the way he was giving them the hit stick.

It was a great team win, and I am super proud of our staff and coaches."

The hosts got back within a touchdown at 20-14 after a 13-yard pass, but the third quarter wouldn't finish without a Billy Hall highlight on the ground compliments of a 52-yard score down the right sideline to cap off a three-play drive in just 73 seconds.

The momentum would continue for the Eagles as they grabbed an interception (Jalen Everett) and turned it into more points after Devyn Collins got into the action with an 8-yard score to make it a 20-point lead for the visitors.

Dylan Kelly would later add a score of his own from four yards away.

Individually, Collins led all ball carriers with 95 yards on 15 attempts, while he was joined by two other teammates with 50-or-more yards rushing.

Teon Burroughs and Bryce Atchison each tallied a half-dozen tackles in the win, and three others totaled five stops apiece.

The Rams of Bluefield (Va.) come to Waleska next week as Appalachian Division play within the Mid-South Conference begins on Oct. 9.

Kickoff is set for Noon at Ken White Field at University Stadium.

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