Ryan Stanley threw for 275 yards and three touchdowns as the Rattler football team cruised to a 57-20 victory over Fort Valley State in the Third Annual Jake Gaither Classic on Saturday night at Bragg Memorial Stadium before a crowd of 17,9111.
After a slow start, the Rattlers (1-1) exploded for 33 second-quarter points and took a commanding 40-0 lead into the break. The 57 points at home was the most Florida A&M had scored on an opponent since a 60-10 victory over Norfolk State on Oct. 25, 2003.
FAMU broke the 0-0 tie late in the first quarter as Davonne Kendrick scored on a 2-yard run to give the Rattlers a 7-0 lead with 1:53 left.
Florida A&M extended the advantage to 14-0 after an Eddie Tillman 7-yard touchdown run with 14:25 remaining in the first half and pushed the margin to 21-0 as Stanley connected with Azende Reyfor a 31-yard TD strike with 10:22 left.
The Rattlers got a 31-yard field goal from Yahia Aly with 6:22 left and Rey added his second touchdown, a 4-yard strike from Stanley, with just over five minutes remaining in the second quarter.
A David Manigocaught a 35-yard touchdown from Stanely with 2:58 left and a blocked punt resulted in a safety extended to lead to a 40-0 advantage.
The Rattlers had an opportunity to take a 43-0 lead into the break, but Aly’s 40-yard field goal attempt was wide right.
Florida A&M continued to push the margin as Andrew Davis caught a 7-yard pass from backup quarterback Rasean McKay with 7:50 left to give the Rattlers a 47-0 lead.
Fort Valley State (0-2) got touchdowns by AJ Shipman and Joseph Rossto cut the deficit to 47-13 with 12:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The Rattlers capped the night with a touchdown from Davis and a 40-yard field goal from Aly, which gave FAMU a 57-13 lead.
A scoop and score by Delvin Webb on a 47-yard fumble return trimmed the margin to 57-20 with 55 seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough as the Rattlers picked up their first win of the season.
The Rattlers next face the Jaguars of Southern University this Saturday in Bragg.