Ave Maria University opened its 2026 football season with a 52-6 loss to No. 6 Lindsey Wilson University on Sept. 5 in Columbia, Kentucky. The game was the third all-time meeting between the schools and was called because of lightning with 10:11 remaining in the fourth quarter. Joseph Thole made his first start at quarterback for Ave Maria.
Ave Maria and Lindsey Wilson were tied 3-3 after the first quarter, but the home team scored 28 points in the second quarter to take a 31-3 halftime lead. Lindsey Wilson added 21 points in the third quarter and led 52-3 entering the fourth. Jake Matigian’s 39-yard field goal provided Ave Maria’s final points before the weather stoppage.
Thole leads Ave Maria in first start
Thole threw for 101 yards, including a 50-yard completion to Wesley From on his fifth collegiate pass attempt. The play moved Ave Maria to the Lindsey Wilson 25-yard line, and Matigian followed with a 30-yard field goal to tie the game at 3 with 2:05 remaining in the first quarter. Matigian also made the 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Reggie McBride led Ave Maria with four receptions, while Javien Durham paced the rushing attack with 29 yards. The Ave Maria University football team finished with 153 total yards, including 101 passing yards and 52 rushing yards. Sean Battle led the defense with eight tackles, including six solo stops, and added a pass breakup.
Ave Maria also recorded two long kickoff returns. Freshman Joshua Raphael, a South Fort Myers product, returned the opening kickoff 51 yards into Lindsey Wilson territory, and Andrew Picard later returned a kickoff 68 yards to the Lindsey Wilson 30-yard line. Ave Maria’s first-quarter scoring drive followed the long reception by From.
Lindsey Wilson pulls away after first quarter
Lindsey Wilson, identified as a preseason favorite of the Mid-South Conference, totaled 500 yards. The Blue Raiders recorded 223 passing yards and 277 rushing yards while taking control with 28 points in the second quarter and 21 more in the third. The game ended before either team scored again after Matigian’s fourth-quarter field goal.
Davontaye Saunders scored three rushing touchdowns on runs of 36, 10 and 13 yards. Tate Rice threw three touchdown passes to Max Gainey, and Stevin Mack added an 8-yard rushing touchdown. Jadan Burns made Lindsey Wilson’s first field goal and recorded the extra points on the team’s touchdowns.
Ave Maria schedules home opener
Ave Maria is scheduled to host Cumberland University at 7 p.m. the following week at Gyrene Field in Ave Maria. The game is scheduled as Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night. It will be Ave Maria’s home opener.
Source: Original report