FMU To Host First Home Football Game, Facing The Cumberlands Saturday

AT A GLANCE
FMU Lions (0-2, 0-1) vs. University of The Cumberlands Patriots (1-0)
When: Saturday, September 11, 2021
Where: Miami, Fla. | Nathaniel "Traz" Powell Stadium
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Last Meeting: First Meeting
Live Stream: Link
Live Stats: Link

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – When Florida Memorial University's football team steps onto the hallowed turf of Nathaniel "Traz" Powell Stadium this weekend, it will be making history.

FMU will be playing its first home football game in more than 63 years when it hosts University of The Cumberlands (Ky.) Saturday at 1 p.m.

Fans will be able to be a part of the historic game, which will also be the first collegiate regular season game hosted at "Traz" Powell Stadium in decades, as Florida Memorial will host fans with no restrictions or limits. Tickets for Saturday's game remain available with prices starting at $5 dollars.

The game will also be streamed live online via Florida Memorial's Sports Portal.

The Lions enter Saturday's game still hungry for its first win of the season – and first win since ending its hiatus – after a few second-half turnovers dashed their hopes of rallying back against neighborhood and Mid-South Conference rival St. Thomas University.

Still, FMU (0-2, 0-1 Mid-South Conference – Sun Division) set a new modern-era program high for points scored in a game (22) against the Bobcats this past weekend as well as new modern-era marks for longest touchdown pass (42 yards) and longest made field goal (a 34-yarder by Kesnel Baptiste).

Sophomore quarterback Antoine Williams connected with freshman receiver Markell Lee on the record-making scoring completion, breaking the previous record of the 39-yard touchdown strike Williams threw to Calvin Clark during FMU's week one game at Edward Waters University.

Lee is already leaving a legacy in the Florida Memorial football record book, earning the all-time record of recording the program's first touchdown in the modern era along with being the first FMU football player to be earn Mid-South Conference Sun Division Offensive Player of the Week honors.

Broken records and awards aside, the Lions aren't satisfied with "morale victories" – something head coach Tim "Ice" Harris Sr. continues to stress to his team.

"We have to continue to get better, want more, and continue to elevate the standard for ourselves and for the program," Harris said. "We see the progression that the team is making in certain areas; but we also still have things that we need to make sure that we, as a coaching staff, are breaking down in film sessions and going back to teach and coach up our guys. Our mindset has to be one that won't settle for not meeting the standard."

Standing opposite FMU this weekend will be University of The Cumberlands, a team that has won 25 of its past 32 games and has made NAIA playoff appearances in two of the past three years.

The Patriots opened the 2021 season with a 58-7 win over Kentucky Christian University, showcasing a solid rushing attack – amassing 247 yards – behind a large offensive line that averages 6-foot-3, 305 pounds across its five linemen.

Florida Memorial's defensive front has flashed the ability to be stout at the point of attack and make plays behind the line of scrimmage – especially defensive ends Anthony Harris and Philman Roundtree.

FMU's ability to clog the Patriots' running lanes on defense along with the Lions' offense ability to use the speed of its receivers to create big plays either downfield or through yards after-the-catch will be two of the biggest factors in any potential success Florida Memorial has Saturday.

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Instagram: @GoFMULions/@FMULionsFB | Twitter: @GoFMULions/@FMULionsFB | YouTube: Official FMU Lions

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Players Mentioned

#1 Anthony Harris: DL; 6' 0"; Freshman

#9 Calvin Clark: WR; 6' 1"; Freshman

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

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

#19 Philman Roundtree: DL; 6' 0"; Freshman

#28 Kesnel Baptiste: K; 5' 9"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Anthony Harris
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: DL

#9 Calvin Clark
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: WR

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

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

#19 Philman Roundtree
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: DL

#28 Kesnel Baptiste
: 5' 9"; Freshman
: K

Florida Memorial University Athletics

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned