Florida Tech Matchup At West Alabama Game Time Moved Up To 3:00 P.M.
By Space Coast Daily // October 19, 2016
Panthers seeking third straight win over UWA
BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – The time of Saturday’s Gulf South Conference matchup between Florida Tech and West Alabama at Tiger Stadium in Livingston, Alabama has been moved up to a 3 p.m. ET start time.
The game was originally scheduled to be played at 7 p.m. but both teams agreed to move the kickoff to the afternoon.
After falling to the Tigers 45-3 in their inagural season, the Panthers are seeking their third straight win over their Gulf South Conference foe.
Last season during the 24-13 win the Panthers had a 300 yard passer in Mark Cato, a 100 yard rusher in Trevor Sand and tight end Gabe Hughes had two catches for 101 receiving yards. A rare offensive hat trick at any level of football.
The last time the Panthers visited Livingston, Alabama the two teams clashed in a memorable affair. Florida Tech trailed 26-20 with 4:58 to play in the game but took the lead, 27-26 when Panthers running back Gary Holmes dashed 35 yards for what appeared to be the game winning touchdown.
ABOVE VIDEO: QB Mark Cato talks with Space Coast Daily after Saturday’s big homecoming win. Cato accounted for five of the Panthers touchdowns in limited action.
However, West Alabama drove 71-yards in eight plays to go ahead and following a failed two-point conversion, led 32-27.
Then redshirt freshman quarterback Mark Cato took over with 1:35 to play. Cato was only 3-9 for 23 yards on the ensuing drive but he would account for 56 total yards of offense when the Panthers needed it most.
Following a rush of 20 yards during the final drive, Cato was hit late out of bounds picking up 15 extra yards. The ball was placed at the 18 yard line with 30 seconds to play.
Four plays later and with only two ticks left on the clock, Cato found his favorite target Gabe Hughes in the middle of the end zone for the game winning touchdown, earning FIT a one point 33-32 win.
West Alabama upset last week’s 24th ranked team, West Georgia with a dominating 31-7 win.
The Tigers are not ranked but did receive some votes this week in the NCAA D2 AFCA Coaches Poll. The Panthers are No.20 in that same poll and you better believe the Tigers have their eyes on another upset this week when the Panthers come calling.
Jerry Durney and Paul Van Scott will be on your radio dial at 89.5 FM WFIT and WFIT.org. and Space Coast Daily will carry the live feed.
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