Kenny Johnston and his Florida Tech teammates will have a tough task at hand when traveling to Hammond, Louisiana to take on Division I FCS opponent No. 18 Southeastern Louisiana Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET. (Amanda Stratford image)
Florida Tech football will make its first expedition to the state of Louisiana this weekend.
In doing so, it will have a tough task on its hands when facing Southeastern Louisiana, the No. 18 team in NCAA Division I FCS, Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, Louisiana.
If the Lions’ season opening game is any indication, the Panthers will have a tall task in moving the ball against the stout SLU defense that gave up just 259 yards of total offense in their 34-20 victory over Southland Conference rival Northwestern State.
The Panther offense will also be tasked with limiting the impact of defensive back Jordan Batiste, who registered seven tackles, two tackles-for-loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
The key for the Panther defense will be to slow down the Lions’ rushing attack, namely quarterback D’Shaie Landor.
Last Saturday, Drake Hillman’s 51-yard game-tying field goal attempt was just wide, striking the left upright and holding Florida Tech to a 31-28 defeat against Newberry Saturday night at Florida Tech Panther Stadium. (Amanda Stratford image)
SLU racked up 438 rushing yards against the Demons, including 125 yards from Landor. Running back Julius Maraclin was also a force, carrying 12 times for 120 yards. SLU will look to balance out the offense a bit, having totaled just 15 passing yards a week ago.
Panther head coach Steve Englehart relishes the opportunity to play such a quality opponent.
“We’re excited to play a great team,” said Englehart.
Steve Englehart
“They’ve won the Southland Conference the last two years. It’s going to be a very tough challenge. Coach Roberts has done a great job with that program. He used to be the head coach at Delta State and took them to a national championship. One thing that pops out on film to us is that everywhere, from defense to offense, they play extremely hard. You know they’re coached very well. It will be a very tough challenge and another physical game.”
Florida Tech will attempt to put to rest the memories of its 31-28 loss to Newberry on opening night.
Kenny Johnston
The Panthers will hope for similar production out of tight end Kenny Johnston, who broke out for 86 yards receiving and three trips to the end zone against the Wolves.
Trai Cadore
Unlike the Lions, the Panthers offense was fairly balanced in week one, accounting for 279 yards through the air and 171 on the ground.
Chris Stapleton
For FIT to slow down the Lions, players like defensive back Trai Cadore and Chris Stapleton, who combined for 15 tackles and a fumble recovery, will need to continue to put up numbers.
The Panthers will need to have a better performance stopping the run after allowing 318 yards rushing to Newberry.
Fans can listen to Jerry Durney and Paul Van Scott call the game on WFIT 89.5 FM. The radio broadcast can also be heard on WFIT.org and through the free TuneIn Radio app.
ABOVE VIDEO: Steve Englehart Postgame Interview Following 31-28 Loss to Newberry.
ABOVE VIDEO:Sean Ashley was admirable in relief of Cato, tossing for 194 yards and two scores.
ABOVE VIDEO:Kenny Johnston, the lanky tight end registered three touchdowns on seven catches for 86 yards.
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