FAMU parlayed Howard University mistakes into 31 points en route to a 50-7 win in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game at Washington, D.C.'s Greene Stadium.After a slow start by both teams, the Rattlers (2-1 overall, 2-0 in the MEAC) set the tone on their first score. Curtis Holcomb intercepted a Casey Council pass and set up the first score. It took FAMU two plays to go 37 yards with Lavante Page scoring from three yards out near the end of the first quarter.
After the Bison failed to score on their first possession of the second quarter, the Rattlers struck with a big play as Martin Ukpai (9 of 17, 188 yards; 8 rushes, 69 yards) connected with Eddie Rocker on a 78-yard bomb that upped the margin to 14-0 at the 14:26 mark.
Howard responded on its next possession by going 79 yards in six plays, with Justin Duncan highlighting the drive with a 59-yard jaunt that set up his two-yard plunge that got the Bison to 14-7 at the 11:36 mark.
The Rattlers struck again on Howard's next possession when cornerback Qier Hall returned a Bison fumble 30 yards to up the score to 21-7 at the 8:43 mark.
FAMU tacked on another score when it blocked the first of two Howard punts. Lonvontae Page scored his second TD of the game, this time from four yards to give the visitors a 27-7 lead at the half.
"Things really spiraled out on control for us when they got the blocked punt," said Howard Coach Carey Bailey. "We are not good enough to make a mistake and let a team get up on us that big."
FAMU controlled the game offensively, defensively and on special teams in the second half. The Rattlers took the opening second half kickoff and marched 63 yards in 11 plays with Rocker bolting in from four yards to make it, 33-7.
"All three phases were a disaster today," Bailey said. "We didn't play well on offense defense or special teams."