Box Score LAKELAND, Fla.—The Fire defense forced seven turnovers, six of which turned into Southeastern points in a 66-0 win over Ave Maria in front of 2,466 fans on Homecoming.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Fire got on the scoreboard for the first time at the 8:56 mark of the second on
Jarrell Reynolds' first of four touchdown runs on the night from four yards out, which was set up by an interception by
James Swain Jr. On the next drive, Reynolds capped off a 4-play, 35-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run giving the Fire a 14-0 lead. An
Alex Mack interception on the ensuing drive set up a 34-yard touchdown run by Reynolds to make it 21-0. An Ave Maria fumble turned into a 54-yard touchdown pass from
Railond Garrett to
Michael Wheary. The Fire also snuck in a field goal with 15 seconds left in the half to take a 31-0 lead at halftime.
Reynolds final score of the night was a 65 yard run with 7:57 to play in the third quarter.
For the fifth time in as many games, the Fire defense came away with a touchdown of its own when
Anthony Williams scooped up a fumble and raced 86 yards to give the Fire a 45-0 lead.
Lorine Parker added touchdown runs of 2-, and 6-yards, and
Joseph Banks barreled into the end zone from two yards out with 5:20 to play in the game.
The Fire defense held Ave Maria to just 221 yards of total offense; 71 of which came in the running game. The front seven accounted for four sacks and 11 tackles for loss. The secondary had three interceptions and four pass break ups.
"Our defensive front was on point today," said coach
Keith Barefield. "They played very aggressively, and didn't make many mistakes. They kept the pressure on their quarterbacks, which helps out our secondary."
Southeastern on offense racked up 564 yards on 71 plays; an average of 7.9 yards per play. The Gyrenes ranked fifth in the NAIA in total sacks, but the Fire offensive line allowed just one on the night.
The Fire put their unbeaten Sun Conference record on the line next week in Valley, Alabama as they take on Point, who is also unbeaten in league play.
