MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (November 8, 2021) – Despite holding a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, the Webber International University football team was unable to hang on and ultimately fell to the Lions of Florida Memorial 34-31 on Saturday afternoon in Miami Gardens, Florida.
 
The game was tight in terms of offense as the Lions (2-8 overall, 1-4 MSC) finished with slightly more yards of total offense at 297 yards compared to Webber's (1-8, 0-5) 285. Florida Memorial mainly utilized the run game as 238 of those 297 yards came on the ground.
 
The Lions would be the first to get points on the board after a one-yard touchdown rush gave them the 7-0 lead with a little over five minutes in the first quarter. Austin Smith would kick a 30-yard field goal with 42 seconds left in the quarter to cut the lead to four.
 
The Warriors had a big second quarter offensively, finding the endzone three times. Maynard Blackmon would block a Lions punt, giving Webber possession at the Florida Memorial four-yard line. Then, a one-yard rush from Blackmon earned the Warriors their first lead of the game at 10-7.
 
A surprise onside kick from Smith would be recovered by the Warriors to regain possession. Webber would drive down and score again after an 18-yard rush from Tremon Bright, extending the lead to 10 points. On the Lions next drive, Webber would recover a fumble to earn possession on their half of the field yet again. Another one-yard rush from Blackmon would make it 24-7 heading into halftime.
 
Florida Memorial would score a touchdown on a six-yard pass for what would be the only points of the third quarter, trimming the lead back down to 10 points.
 
A 16-yard touchdown pass from Kristofer Sippel Jr. to Dashaun Young would make the lead 17 points yet again. The Lions would respond after a four-yard rushing touchdown and then a 31-yard pick six would swing the momentum heavily in their favor. Florida Memorial would score yet again and complete the two-point conversion to take a three-point lead at 34-31 with seven minutes to go.
 
The Lion's defense would hold strong in the final seven minutes, seeing out the 34-31 defeat for the Warriors.
 
Cody Braden finished with 153 yards passing with a completion percentage of 56.5%. Bright led the Warriors in rushing with 99 yards and a touchdown while Blackmon found the endzone twice. Kenneth Davis finished with five receptions and 45 yards followed by Frederick Curry Jr. with four receptions and 25 yards.
 
Defensively, Joseph Burton led the Warriors with 10 total tackles and a forced fumble. He was followed by Colton Cormier with eight total tackles including a sack and Travonte Haynie with seven total tackles including three sacks.
 
Next up, the Warriors host their Crooked Lake rivals, Warner University, for their Senior Day and regular season finale on Saturday, November 13, at 1:30 p.m.