Football Falls to Florida Memorial, 38-31
COLUMBIA, S.C.,—Allen University built a 10 point lead in the first half, but Florida Memorial University rallied in the second half to defeat the Yellow Jackets, 38-31, Saturday afternoon at Charles F. Bolden Stadium.
Allen jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter behind a 26 yard field goal and a three yard touchdown run by Ja'Morian Phillips, before Florida Memorial answered with a pair of touchdown passes to take a 14-10 advantage early in the second quarter.
The Yellow Jackets responded with a strong offensive stretch before halftime, scoring three touchdowns in the second quarter to reclaim the lead. Brent Upshaw Jr. connected with Phillips for a three yard touchdown, Javis Floyd added a three yard touchdown reception, and Allen took a 31-21 lead with three seconds remaining in the half following an eight yard touchdown pass from Upshaw Jr. to Floyd.
Florida Memorial controlled the second half, scoring 17 unanswered points to complete the comeback. The Lions tied the game at 31-31 with 10:17 remaining in the fourth quarter on a 24 yard field goal, before taking the lead for good with 1:12 remaining on a six yard touchdown pass.
Allen finished the afternoon with 404 yards of total offense, including 252 passing yards and 152 rushing yards. The Yellow Jackets recorded 23 first downs and held the ball for 33:42, including more than 10 minutes of possession in the second quarter.
Upshaw Jr. completed 18 of 38 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns, while also contributing 11 rushing yards. Floyd led the Yellow Jackets on the ground with 131 yards on 22 carries, while Phillips added Allen's lone rushing touchdown.
Through the air, Deion Smith led Allen with three receptions for 123 yards, including a 63 yard reception that helped set up a scoring opportunity. Deveon Williams and Nanders Lawrence each recorded three receptions, while Floyd finished with four catches and a touchdown.
Defensively, Joseph King led the Yellow Jackets with seven total tackles, including one tackle for loss, while Jayshawn Smalls recorded five tackles. Carson Pritchett added four tackles, and Aeron Gresham finished with three tackles and two pass breakups. Brian Dennis recorded two tackles, recovered a first quarter fumble and was credited with a forced fumble.
Allen's defense created an early opportunity when Dennis forced and recovered a Florida Memorial fumble at the Lions' 23 yard line, setting up the Yellow Jackets' opening scoring drive. Allen also forced a turnover on downs late in the second quarter, helping maintain momentum during a high scoring first half.
The Yellow Jackets held a 31-21 advantage at halftime after scoring 21 points in the second quarter, but Florida Memorial answered with a touchdown in the third quarter and two scoring drives in the fourth quarter. The Lions' final touchdown came with 1:12 remaining after a 92 yard drive that lasted 4:40.
Despite the loss, Allen's offense converted six of 13 third downs and one of two fourth down attempts, while producing five touchdowns in seven trips to the red zone. The Yellow Jackets also finished with 73 offensive plays, compared to 62 for Florida Memorial.
With the result, Allen moves to 1-1 on the season, while Florida Memorial improves to 1-1.
Notes
• Allen recorded 404 yards of total offense, including 252 passing yards and 152 rushing yards.
• The Yellow Jackets recorded 23 first downs, including seven rushing, 10 passing and six by penalty.
• Allen controlled the time of possession, 33:42 to 26:11.
• Allen scored 21 points in the second quarter and entered halftime with a 31-21 lead.
• Javis Floyd rushed for 131 yards on 22 carries, averaging 6.0 yards per carry.
• Brent Upshaw Jr. completed 18 of 38 passes for 252 yards and two touchdowns.
• Deion Smith led Allen with 123 receiving yards on three receptions, including a 63 yard reception.
• Javis Floyd recorded four receptions for 11 yards and one touchdown.
• Ja'Morian Phillips accounted for two touchdowns, one rushing and one receiving.
• Joseph King led the Allen defense with seven total tackles.
• Aeron Gresham recorded two pass breakups.
• Brian Dennis forced and recovered a fumble in the first quarter.
• Allen converted six of 13 third down opportunities.
• The Yellow Jackets finished with five touchdowns in seven red zone opportunities.
How It Happened
First Quarter
• Allen opened the scoring with a 26 yard field goal at the 11:27 mark, capping a seven play, 14 yard drive.
• The Yellow Jackets extended their lead to 10-0 when Phillips scored on a three yard touchdown run with 5:27 remaining in the quarter, finishing a seven play, 83 yard drive.
• Florida Memorial answered just 22 seconds later when Jalen Holly hauled in a 40 yard touchdown pass from David Buggs, cutting the Allen lead to 10-7.
• Allen's defense created an early turnover when Dennis forced and recovered a fumble at the Florida Memorial 23 yard line.
• The Yellow Jackets maintained their three point advantage entering the second quarter.
Second Quarter
• Florida Memorial took its first lead of the afternoon when Buggs connected with Holly for a 41 yard touchdown with 13:07 remaining, giving the Lions a 14-10 advantage.
• Allen responded with a 10 play, 70 yard scoring drive, capped by a three yard touchdown pass from Upshaw Jr. to Phillips at the 7:12 mark.
• Florida Memorial regained the lead at 21-17 on an 11 yard touchdown pass with 4:41 remaining.
• Allen answered immediately, with Floyd breaking free for a 19 yard touchdown run to put the Yellow Jackets back in front, 24-21.
• With less than two minutes remaining, Allen drove 84 yards on seven plays, with Upshaw Jr. finding Floyd for an eight yard touchdown with three seconds left in the half.
• Allen entered halftime leading 31-21, after scoring 21 points in the second quarter.
Third Quarter
• Florida Memorial opened the second half with a 46 yard field goal attempt that missed, keeping Allen's 10 point lead intact.
• The Lions then took advantage of their next possession, scoring on a 37 yard touchdown pass to cut Allen's lead to 31-28 with 8:31 remaining in the quarter.
• Allen moved the ball effectively on its next possession, putting together a nine play, 37 yard drive that consumed more than five minutes before the drive ended with a punt.
• Neither team added another score during the remainder of the third quarter, sending the game to the fourth with Allen holding a 31-28 advantage.
Fourth Quarter
• Florida Memorial tied the game at 31-31 with 10:17 remaining after a 10 play, 73 yard drive ended with a 24 yard field goal.
• Allen answered with a 52 yard drive that reached the Florida Memorial eight yard line, but the Yellow Jackets were unable to convert the possession into points.
• The Lions then put together the decisive drive of the game, covering 92 yards on nine plays and taking 4:40 off the clock.
• Florida Memorial scored the go ahead touchdown with 1:12 remaining on a six yard pass from Buggs to Henry Calixte, giving the Lions a 38-31 lead.
• Allen received the ball with 1:05 remaining and moved into Florida Memorial territory, including a 55 yard completion from Upshaw Jr. to Smith, but the Yellow Jackets' final possession ended as time expired.
Up Next
Allen returns to action on Saturday, September 12, when the Yellow Jackets travel to Jackson, Tennessee, to face Lane College University at 6 p.m.
