Offense scores late, pulls out win in FIT spring game

The Florida Tech offense needed almost all of the 85 plays, but with four plays remaining they scored the touchdown to win the spring game 33-28 in front of close to 1,000 fans at Palm Bay High Saturday afternoon.

And in the end it was redshirt freshman Levi Ledford finding new wide receiver T.J. Lowder for the touchdown to give the offense the victory.

It was the second touchdown of the game for Ledford who also found Kenny Johnston for the first touchdown of the game — an 82-yard pass play.

"That was crazy, we made a play when it mattered the most," Ledford said of the final drive. "I was pleased, but the whole offense had a good day. We had our ups and downs but we got the 33 points, did what we needed to do to win."

The Asheville, N.C. native threw for 201 yards and two touchdowns while running for a third one.

Overall the quarterbacks threw for 456 yards in the game.

"It came down to the wire, with the last couple of plays, so that was exciting," Florida Tech football coach Steve Englehart said. "The offense produced big plays and that is what we want the offense to do. It's hard to drive the ball down the field methodically, you need big plays."

They had a few of those Saturday as Johnston made two big plays, both for touchdowns. Former Florida Air standout J.J. Keels broke a 40-yard run and Wayne Saunders had catches of 29 and 23 yards, finishing with 61 yards.

Needing two points to tie the game, the offense faced a fourth and 1 decision. So coach Englehart went to the fans and it was a loud answer — go for it.

Trevor Sand got the call and the defense stopped him, forcing Levi Ledford and the offense to go 72 yards to win.

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Despite giving up 33 points, the defense made some big plays of their own as Andrew Adair and Keith Lovett II each had interceptions and Western Illinois transfer Demetrius Allen led the way with five tackles and a sack.

"It was good, I enjoyed every bit of it," Allen said. "Coaches put me in the right position and I was just executing."

For the most part the defense was sharp Saturday as there were really no long drives from the offense.

"We just gave up a few big plays on defense and that is what we have to stop. We gave up fourth down and 10 twice and we can't do that," Englehart said. "That is what we have to get fixed on defense, just not give up those big plays but it is a double-edged sword because I want to see that from our offense."

Overall, Lowder had seven catches for 115 yards, Johnston had 113 yards on four catches while Jaaron Barrett had 69 yards on four catches. Terrance Bynum had the other touchdown of the day, a 41-yarder from Sean Ashley. Bynum had 57 yards receiving.