MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | Florida Memorial University continues to excel this season, as they defeated No. 14 Southeastern 31-16 in the conference opener. The Lions controlled the game from start to finish, never relinquishing the lead at any point en route to victory.
The Lions scored on their first drive of the game, when senior
David Buggs found receiver Godson Sinlien for a 10-yard touchdown. The dream start continued, when defensive back
Joshua McMullen forced and recovered a fumble by the Fire on the kickoff, setting up a 32-yard field goal from sophomore
Sean Egloff Vega. FMU added to their first quarter lead when Buggs found receiverÂ
Jahmari Smith for a 10-yard touchdown to make it a 17-0 game.
SEU scored in the second quarter to make it a 10-point game, but the Lions followed it with a long drive, capped off by a 1-yard rushing TD from senior
Nygel Osborne. The Fire ended the half with a field goal to make the score 24-10 going into halftime.
The Fire opened the second half with another field goal to make the score 24-13. In the fourth quarter, Buggs and receiver
Jalen Holly connected for a massive 77-yard touchdown to extend FMU's lead to 31-13. While Southeastern scored another field goal, the Lions' defense suffocated SEU on their final drive, resulting in a turnover on downs to seal the win for the Lions.
Buggs finished the day 11-of-16 for 206 yards and three scores, while taking only one sack. On the ground, Osborne finished with 131 yards on 20 carries and a score, while fellow back
Kennon Johnson had 11 carries for 74 yards, leading the team in average yards per carry with 6.7.
Holly and teammate
Jason Gabriel were lights out in the air, both combining for 151 receiving yards, 77 for Holly and 74 for Gabriel.
The defense was lights out, as they had a total of three sacks on SEU and 12 pass breakups. Linebacker
Jonathan Powers led the team in tackles with seven, along with a sack, while teammate Casimere Winzoar also had a sack, along with
KeyShawn Williams. Defensive back, Vatrell Batten led the team in pass breakups with three, while defensive back, Jermaine Dallias also had seven tackles, along with a pass breakup.
On special teams, Vega made all four of his PATs.
The win moves FMU to 3-2 on the year and 1-0 in conference play.
The Lions return to action Saturday, October 10 for a road game against No. 1 Keiser. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. at Keiser Multi-Purpose Field.
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