Miami, FL., — The Edward Water football team made a valiant effort for a comeback victory in the Big Cat Classic but ultimately fell 31-21 to Florida Memorial.
The Tigers, who found themselves down 24-0 early in the third quarter scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to bring the score to 24-21 with 8:46 left in the game. But the Lions, who controlled the ground game all day rattled off a 12 play, 65 yard drive that used 6:05 of game clock and resulted in a 7-yard touchdown run from Walter Wilson.
For EWU it was their third consecutive loss to FMU as the Lions had multiple 100 yard rushers. Wilson paced Florida Memorial with 170 yards on 21 carries to go along with four touchdowns. Marcus Barthel added 126 yards on 17 carries for the Lions.
The Tigers had their struggles in the first half as they headed into the locker room with only four first half first downs. Edward Waters' first six drives of the game resulted in five punts and one interception.
In the second half, junior quarterback and Miami native, Keith Moore II stepped in for the Tigers and led them on three consecutive touchdown drives.
Moore had a huge momentum burst as Brady Tillman returned a FMU kickoff 64 yards down into the Lions territory. Moore would then run the ball in himself from 17 yards out to bring the score to 24-7. After the EWU defense settled in and forced a FMU three and out, the Tigers next drive was sparked by 55 yard punt return from junior Johnny Jones.
After the Jones punt return got Edward Waters into excellent field position, Moore found tight end Fatoma Paulk in the middle of the end zone for a 10 yard touchdown pass.
With Florida Memorial leading 24-14 and the fourth quarter starting, Edward Waters needed every second of the game clock to tick in their favor. The Tigers used a brilliant 11 play drive that resulted in a Raveon Moore two years touchdown run.
The Lions would use the majority of the final quarter to put the game out of reach for the Tigers and secure the home victory.
Moore finished with 50 yards passing on 4/9 passing with one touchdown and one interception. Moore also added 33 rushing yards and another score on the ground. Brady Tillman paced the Tigers with 56 yards rushing on just eight attempts. Fatoma Paul led EWU with 51 yards on four catches and one touchdown.
On the defensive side of the ball Stephan French, Jonathan Nesbit and Javon Miller all completed the game with six tackles apiece. Ahmarion Moultrie and Enrique Randolph chipped in four tackles apiece.
The Tigers will continue their early season road quest with a trip to Mississippi for a non-conference match up against Alcorn State University on Saturday, September 14 at Spinks-Casem Stadium.
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