Upset-Minded FMU Hosting No. 6 Keiser University Saturday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (0-5, 0-1) vs. No. 6 Keiser University Seahawks (2-1, 0-0)
When: Saturday, October 2, 2021
Where: Miami, Fla. | Nathaniel "Traz" Powell Stadium
Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.
Last Meeting: Sept. 12, 2020, Loss 0-62
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The last time Florida Memorial University squared off against Keiser University on the football field, FMU was in a pretty disadvantageous position.

The Lions' football team had just been "rebirthed" 14 months prior, had no spring practices, had just two-week's worth of practice under their belts leading into the game and featured a roster composed almost entirely of freshmen. The result wasn't pretty – a 62-0 loss that still stands as the team's largest margin of defeat.

Fast forward more than a year later, FMU is a much different program than it was the last time it lined up against Keiser University and it hopes to prove it by upending the No. 6 Seahawks Saturday afternoon at Nathaniel "Traz" Powell Stadium.

The game, which will kickoff at 1:30 p.m., will be open to fans to attend. General admission tickets are available online and can also be purchased at the ticket gate on Saturday. Ticket prices begin at $5 dollars with special 3-ticket family packs being available for $10 dollars. The game will also be streamed live online via Florida Memorial's Athletic Streaming Portal.

One thing that does remain the same, unfortunately, for the Lions (0-5, 0-1 Mid-South Conference Sun Division) is the fact that they're still hunting for the program's first football victory. Since dropping a gut-punch of a game to historically Black university (HBCU) rival Edward Waters University in the season-opener, FMU has struggled to string together a full 60-minute performance that would have them in position to earn a victory.

Florida Memorial head coach Tim "Ice" Harris Sr. has seen his team show flashes on both sides of the ball – like George Young's record-setting offensive performance (23 carries for 91 rushing yards and 117 total yards from scrimmage) at Faulkner University (Ala.) and Michael Powell's program-best defensive day (14 total tackles) at Cumberland University (Tenn.) this past week – but there's always been something serving as the proverbial thorn in the Lions' paw.

FMU's offense has seen its output wane over the past four weeks. Since producing a program-high 22 points against St. Thomas University in week two, Florida Memorial's point totals have steadily tapered each week since – down to the 7 points FMU scored against Cumberland.

Trying to "get right" offensively comes at a bit of an inopportune time as No. 6 Keiser rolls into town. The Seahawks (2-1), who will be playing their Mid-South Conference opener against the Lions Saturday, have been a perennial NAIA football power and have looked impressive in their two wins this season – a 30-0 win over Point University (Ga.) and a 45-6 drubbing of Cumberland University.

Keiser features a balanced offensive attack that can produce points through methodical, clock-grinding drives or strike quick with big plays downfield. The Seahawks have used three different quarterbacks this season, but their offensive bell cow is junior running back Marques Burgess, a two-time Second Team All Mid-South Conference performer.

Florida Memorial's success Saturday will hinge largely on its offense's ability to avoid fruitless drives. Too often the Lions' drives have stalled and ended up in punts, yielding more scoring opportunities for the opposing offense.

FMU sophomore quarterback Antoine Williams will need to find the same "mojo" he had in week one and put some juice back into his connection with big-play receivers Markell Lee and Christian Edgerson. The Lions' defense will need to find a way to be stout at the point of attack and curtail the amount of "chunk" plays it allows to the Keiser offense.

Follow Florida Memorial University Athletics on social media
Instagram: @GoFMULions/@FMULionsFB | Twitter: @GoFMULions/@FMULionsFB | YouTube: Official FMU Lions

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#2 George Young: RB; 5' 11"; Freshman

#11 Markell Lee: WR; 6' 1"; Freshman

#12 Antoine Williams: QB; 6' 3"; Sophomore

#41 Christian Edgerson: WR; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#46 Michael Powell: DL; 6' 2"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#2 George Young
: 5' 11"; Freshman
: RB

#11 Markell Lee
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: WR

#12 Antoine Williams
: 6' 3"; Sophomore
: QB

#41 Christian Edgerson
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: WR

#46 Michael Powell
: 6' 2"; Sophomore
: DL

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned