Rested & Regrouped, FMU Ready To Earn Victory Saturday Against Union College

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (0-7, 0-3) vs. Union College Bulldogs (Ky.) (1-3)
When: Saturday, October 23, 2021
Where: Miami, Fla. | Nathaniel "Traz" Powell Stadium
Kickoff: 12 p.m.
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link
Tickets: General Admission $5 (Purchase)

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Sometimes, when you want something so badly and have done nothing but work to attain the thing you've been chasing – the best thing for you could be a break; a chance to get away, rest up, and regroup.

After toiling for seven weeks straight working to breakthrough and capture its first football victory, Florida Memorial University enjoyed a much-needed bye week this past week and now enter this weekend's meeting with visiting Union College refreshed and refocused as it looks to capture its first football win Saturday at Nathaniel "Traz" Powell Stadium.

The game, which will be the first ever meeting between the programs, will kick off at 12 noon instead of the originally scheduled time of 1:30 p.m. to better accommodate the travel arrangements of Union College (Ky.). Also, fans will be able to attend with no health and safety restrictions. Tickets can be purchased online at www.FMUAthletics.con/Tickets or at the ticket booth the day of the game. General admission tickets begin at $5 dollars and 3-ticket Family Packs are available for $10 dollars.

Saturday's game will also be streamed live online through the FMU Athletics Video Portal.

Prior to its bye week, Florida Memorial (0-7, 0-3 Mid-South Conference Sin Division) suffered one of its tougher losses of the season. The October 9th showdown against Warner University saw the Lions look solid early, trailing by just one-point (7-6) by the end of the first half. However, instead of halftime being just a 15-minute intermission, it became a 2-hour hiatus as the game was delayed due to lightning. Once the teams were able to come back on the field, FMU didn't have the same mojo and saw Warner pull away in the second half and ultimately deal the Lions a 31-12 loss.

The Florida Memorial offense was operating with a new signal caller in that game in freshman quarterback Demarcus McEachern. McEachern made his first collegiate start against the Royals in place of injured starter Antoine Williams and had a mixed day. He completed 12 of 26 passes for 158 yards with two interceptions and had a tough time sustaining drives.

McEachern did bring a bit more to FMU's running game, rushing for 76 yards and a touchdown – tying George Young for the game-high rushing yard total.

Having an extra week of film study and practice time should do McEachern a wealth of good as his chemistry with his receivers could see an uptick which should lead to a more potent offensive attack.

FMU head coach Tim "Ice" Harris Sr. also hopes that the bye week does some good for his defense, which has surrendered 31 points or more in three of the past four games.

Rolling into Traz Powell Stadium Saturday is a Union College team that is even more rested than Florida Memorial. The Bulldogs (1-3) had their past two games postposed and last saw live game action on October 2nd. When Union was on the field though, it wasn't all smooth sailing. UC lost its last three games – including a 31-24 home loss to Warner University on September 25th – as is struggled to find balance in its offensive attack.

The Bulldogs have been relying on running back Isaiah Wright. And while he's produced – racking up 458 yards and 6 touchdowns through those three games – the Union passing attack has left much to be desired and has faltered when the team has tried to rally back from deficits.

It'll be imperative that Florida Memorial jump out to an early lead on the Bulldogs Saturday. Forcing UC to play from behind would negate some of Wright's effectiveness and force the Bulldogs' quarterbacks – as they've used two this season – to make plays against the Lions' secondary.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

#17 Demarcus McEachern: QB; 5' 10"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

#17 Demarcus McEachern
: 5' 10"; Freshman
: QB

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

#2 George Young

#12 Antoine Williams

#17 Demarcus McEachern

Players Mentioned

#2 George Young

#12 Antoine Williams

#17 Demarcus McEachern