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Nov. 21, 2009 Contact B-CU SID Mark Johnson (386) 481-2206 - Orlando, Florida – Over 59,000 Fans Attend 30th Florida Classic
The Rattlers of Florida A & M overwhelmed B-CU's Wildcats at the Citrus Bowl Saturday to win the 30th Florida Classic 42-6. FAMU jumped out to an early lead and led 28-0 at halftime and never looked back to beat the Wildcats for the second straight year in Orlando. FAMU keeps its NCAA playoff hopes alive with the win. The selection show is tomorrow (Sunday, November 22) with the 16-team NCAA FCS field being announced. B-CU’s season ends 5-6, 4-4 in the MEAC. The ‘Cats won five of their final seven games following an 0-4 start. “We were just overmatched tonight,” said B-CU Head Football Coach Alvin Wyatt. “We didn’t get off to the fast start offensively that we needed to do. Their offense was scoring points and you have to score points against them.”
FIRST QUARTER
FAMU Outgains B-CU 117 - 17 In First Quarter – Rattlers Lead 7-0
FAMU’s star quarterback Curtis Pulley did not start the game and Martin Ukpai was at QB for the duration of the ball game. FAMU controlled field position and scored on its second drive going 43 yards for the opening score. RB Phillip Silvester scored on a five yard run to give the Rattlers an early 7-0 lead with 6:53 remaining in the first quarter.
RATTLERS LEAD 28-0 AT HALFTIME
B-CU’s most productive scoring drive of the first half was stopped inside the Rattlers five yard line in the final minute with a Matthew Johnson interception. The Wildcats gained 80 yards in the drive moving from their own 10 to the FAMU 10 before Curtis Holcombe’s interception at the two yard line and 76 yard return ended the ‘Cats scoring threat. At the time, B-CU trailed 21-0.
“That hurt. It was a 14-point swing not scoring to make it 21-7,” said Coach Wyatt of Holcombe’s interception. “The receiver was free and they hit the quarterback (Matt Johnson) and made the interception and the long return. That play was huge.”
Six plays later, QB Ukpai’s one yard scoring pass to WR Kevin Elliott put the Rattlers ahead 28-0 with 24 seconds left in the first 30 minutes.
Florida A & M registered 245 total yards in the first half and limited B-CU to 113. Ukpai had 44 yards rushing and was 8-10 passing for 151 yards and one touchdown in the first half.
B-CU’s Matthew Johnson was 4-9 passing for 119 yards with a long pass of 48 yards to Jameel McLeod and a 47-yarder to JeVaughn Reams in the first half.
THIRD QUARTER
Rattler RB Phillip Sylvester ran 42 yards for a touchdown, his second of the game, with 12:03 to play to make the score 35-0. Sylvester’s rushing totals at the end of three quarters – 118 yards on 17 carries. The TD was the only score of the third quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
B-CU’s Sophomore QB Maurice Francois led the Wildcats on their fourth quarter scoring drive (10 plays 80 yards) with Androse Bell running one yard for the touchdown. Kory Kowalski’s extra point was blocked making the score 35-6.
The Rattlers (8-3, 6-2 MEAC) also scored in the fourth quarter and closed out the scoring on a Eddie Rocker one yard run with 3:28 to play, making the final tally 42-6.
“We will get better and stronger in all aspects of the game, offense, defense, and special teams,” said B-CU head Coach Alvin Wyatt. “To play a lot of the season with 12 starters out, and we didn’t mention that much and it is not an excuse – but our players battled all season long.”
GAME STATISTICS (see final stats attached above) FAMU had 419 yards (268 rushing, 151 passing – all in the first half) and B-CU totaled 259 yards (83 rushing, 176 passing) in the game.
Francois led the ball carriers with 68 yards in 11 attempts and was 5-11 passing for 57 yards. Matthew Johnson was 4-12 passing with 2 interceptions and 119 yards in the contest.
Wide receiver JeVaughn Reams was named B-CU’s Most Valuable Player of the Game recording three receptions for a game-high 83 yards.
B-CU defensive leaders in the 30th Florida Classic: Ryan Lewis with 8 tackles (two tackles for losses), Reggie Sandilands with 6 tackles and senior defensive tackle Dexter Jackson (6 tackles, 3 solo, 1.5 tackles for loss). Senior DB Antwuan Cox had an interception and four solo tackles.
Ten B-CU seniors played in their final games for the Wildcats. Cox and twin brother Antonio Cox, Jackson, OL Ryan Griffin, RB Fred McCaskill , Long snapper Richard Crow, OL Justin Cotman, (injured) OL Angelos Erilus, a-back Phillip Kirkland (injured), and Marquis Alexander.
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