In a game that went scoreless through the first half – the
first of its kind in the 89-year history of the rivalry between FAMU and B-CU,
the final four minutes of regulation and overtime period provided all the
excitement for what would go down as one of the best Florida Blue Florida
Classic’s in recent years.
B-CU redshirt freshman quarterback Larry Brihm ran it in for
two points after Danny Dillard scored on a 1-yard run for the Wildcats (9-3, 6-2 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference).
Damien Fleming hit Kareem Smith on a 13-yard pass for Florida A&M's overtime score, giving the Rattlers a 17-10 advantage after their opening possession of the extra period.
Michael D. Jones scored on a 9-yard run in the third quarter
to give Bethune-Cookman a 7-0 lead, but the Rattlers (3-9, 3-5 MEAC) replied
with a two-yard keeper by Fleming.
Tyler Riley recovered a fumble to set up a field goal by
Chase Varnadore to give the Rattlers a 10-7 lead, but Bethune-Cookman's Haden
Hoggarth tied it at 10 on a 33-yard field goal with just 39 seconds remaining
in regulation.
The Wildcats outgained the Rattlers 382-171, but neither
team could do much offensively.
Jones had a 39-yard run in the second half to set up the
Wildcats' fist red-zone attempt, but the Rattlers made a goal-line stand.
For B-CU, the win marks the first time in the history of the
series that the Wildcats have won four consecutive against their rivals from
Tallahassee. Just once prior Bethune-Cookman had won three straight before
falling in the fourth win attempt.
Bethune-Cookman will now wait until Sunday morning’s Football
Championship Subdivision Playoff Selection Show on ESPNU to see if it will be
selected for an at-large bid to the playoffs.