COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers turned the ball over four times and Florida Tech went on to take a 33-14 victory on Saturday in the Tigers' season-opening football game on Saturday in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

Less than a minute and a half into the game, and Benedict's first offensive play of the contest, quarterback Dominique Harris threw a deep ball that was intercepted by John McClure and returned 48 yards for a touchdown. Benedict's third offensive series resulted in a high snap over punter Mario Trejo's head and into the end zone. Trejo was able to jump on the ball for a safety for Florida Tech and the Tigers were down 9-0 less than halfway through the first quarter.

"It's kind of hard to put in words because we really didn't play well defensively nor offensively," said Benedict head coach Mike White. "I thought we would show up a lot better than we did. We had too many turnovers, too many penalties and too many just blown assignments. That means we've got to do a better job coaching these guys and get ready for next week."

Benedict won many of the statistical categories in the final stats, most notably 20 first downs to Florida Tech's 10; 348 yards of total offense compared to 277 for the Panthers, and actually had half the number of penalties as Florida Tech (seven penalties for 69 yards vs. 13 penalties for 142 yards for Florida Tech).

But the Panthers only had two turnovers – an interception and one fumble – and took a 16-0 lead that the Tigers were never able to come back from.

After the safety, the Panthers drove 64 yards on seven plays, getting nearly all of that on one play – a 49-yard pass. David Bryant capped off the drive with a 1-yard run for a 16-0 lead with 5:46 left to play in the first quarter.

Benedict had their best offensive drive of the night on the following possession, moving 75 yards on eight plays. Harris completed passes of 20, 7, 16 and finally hit Drelon Freeman for a 29-yard touchdown.

Florida Tech added a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter to take a 19-7 lead at the half, getting the ball in good field position after another bad snap on the punt attempt.

In the third quarter, a 46-yard punt return put the Panthers in good field position and they only needed six plays to move 31 yards for another score, a 1-yard run by Daniel Richardson for a 26-7 lead with 10:17 left in the quarter.

The Tigers were making a drive to get back in the game later in the third quarter, but fumbled at the Florida Tech 5-yard line.

Another Benedict fumble in the fourth quarter gave the Panthers the ball at the Benedict 42-yard line. On the next play, Antwuan Haynes busted through for a 42-yard touchdown run and a 33-7 lead for the Panthers.

The Tigers got a spark late in the game when Phillip Brown connected with Drelon Freeman on an 80-yard pass and catch for the final 33-14 score.

"It was a tough night. We just have to go back and get ready for next week," White said. "We've got to be able to take care of the football and overall play better football. I thought we gave up too many big plays, too many penalties and too many turnovers."

The Tigers travel to Charlotte, N.C., to take on the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls next week. Kickoff is 6 p.m.