FMU program returns, but young Lions no match for ranked Keiser
The final score was ironic.
Florida Memorial University, playing its first football game in 62 years, lost to host Keiser, 62-0, on Saturday afternoon in West Palm Beach in what was the season opener for both teams.
The FMU Lions fell behind 28-0 in the first period and trailed 48-0 at halftime. The Lions did not turn the ball over, but they went just 1-for-17 on third down and were outgained from scrimmage 467 yards to 219.
“There are not a lot of good things that happen when you lose [62-0],” FMU coach Tim “Ice” Harris said. “But we had some good moments running the football. We have to build off that and get the ball in the end zone next time.”
Despite the loss, FMU is now — officially — South Florida’s only historically Black university with a football team.
Prior to Saturday, the last time the Lions had played a football game was a 14-8 win over Albany State in 1958. FMU at that time was known as Florida Normal and Industrial Institute.
Meanwhile, Keiser, which went 9-1 last year and lost in the first round of the national playoffs, is ranked 11th in the nation in NAIA. Keiser’s current roster includes eight players who earned All-Conference or All-American honors last year.
FMU, which is one of Keiser’s rivals in the MidSouth Conference, is led by players such as sophomore quarterback Antoine Williams, sophomore offensive lineman Delshawn Bradwell, freshman running back George Young and senior running back Crispian Atkins, a former walk-on for the Miami Hurricanes.
Williams completed 16-of-27 passes for 76 yards and no interceptions.
“We tried to take what the defense gave us, showing the patience to throw the ball underneath,” Harris said. “But we have to create explosive plays with yards after catch.”
Young gained 68 yards on 13 carries (5.2 yards) and also led FMU in receptions yards (3 for 30). Atkins gained 42 yards on a team-high 16 carries. (2.6 average) and 12 yards on two receptions. Including three kickoff returns for 42 yards, Atkins had 96 allpurpose yards.
But the Lions had trouble with Keiser’s offense, which had zero turnovers and converted 5-of-9 on third down and 2-for-2 on fourth down. Keiser quarterbacks completed 17of-20 passes for 253 yards.
Five of Keiser’s touchdowns were on running plays, three came on passes and one was the result of a blocked punt.
Much of what happened to the Lions on Saturday can be attributed to their youth. There are 69 freshmen on the 85-man roster. There are also 15 sophomores, no juniors and one senior. Despite all that youth, Harris said the team showed some maturity.
“This was a big test, and we didn’t break up as a team,” Harris said. “We walked off the field in harmony.”