MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. | The first home game of the season for Florida Memorial University was one to remember, as the Lions defeated Reinhardt 64-48 at Betty T. Ferguson Stadium. FMU's offense fired on all cylinders, totaling 514 yards of offense, while the defense made key plays to get the ball in good field position and lead the team to its second-straight win.
FMU started scoring in the first quarter, when senior
Nygel Osborne scored off a two-yard rush. The Eagles answered with a TD of their own, before starting QB,
David Buggs, threw a deep passing TD to receiver
Jason Gabriel in the second quarter. It wasn't just the offense that scored, as
Tyler McClinto Hutto picked off the Eagles and took it to the house to make the score 21-7 in the second quarter.Â
Reinhardt scored back-to-back TDs to even the score, but FMU reestablished themselves at the top with Osborne's second score of the day in the third quarter. Reinhardt again scored back-to-back in the third quarter to take the lead 41-28 in the third quarter, meaning the Lions were down for the first time all game long.
That didn't stop FMU as they went right back to work. Starting with a 17-yard pass by relief QB
Tedric Wilcox to
Elijah Hopkins to make it 41-34. Scoring continued after running back
Tremaine Hughes broke free for a 41-yard run that went to the house, tying the game 41-41 in the fourth quarter.
But the Lions wanted more and they got more. Wilcox threw a 7-yard pass to Hopkins to give FMU the lead once again, 48-41. While the Eagles tied the score shortly after, it would be the last time they scored all game long.
But the Lions continued scoring. Sophomore
Sean Egloff Vega kicked a 39-yarder down the middle to retake the lead 51-48. Shortly after,
Khalil Washington broke free for a 28-yard TD to make it 58-48. The final nail in the coffin came on the final play of the game, when defensive back,
Joshua McMullen took it to the house for a 100-yard pick-six, sealing one of the highest-scoring performances in FMU Football history!
Buggs finished the day 11-of-14 for 170 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions and a fumble. Wilcox finished 7-of-12 for 86 yards and two touchdowns with one pick. Osborne led the rushing attack with 92 yards and two scores on 22 carries. Receiver
Jalen Holly led the team in recieving with 82 yards on five catches.
On defense, senior
Khari Fields led the team in tackles with seven, including a fumble recovery, a pass breakup, and a block. Teammates Jonothan Nua and
Zayvion McCluster led in tackles for loss with a pair apiece, with McCluster getting the lone sack of the day. McMullen, Hutto, and
Javon Only all had one interception for the Lions.
On special teams, Vega went a perfect 7-of-7 for extra points, along with his 39-yard field goal.
The win moves FMU to 2-1 on the season.
The Lions return to action Saturday, September 26 for a road game in Tenessee against Cumberland. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Nokes-Lasater Field.
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