Sunday, November 8, 2009

Florida A&M 31, North Carolina A&T 27

Rattlers win isn't pretty, but it counts

The one quarter Alonzo Lee’s team has dominated all season turned out to be the difference in an unpredictable game between North Carolina A&T and Florida A&M. A four-point halftime lead disappeared in the third quarter as the Rattlers (7-2, 5-1) overcame fumbles, and the loss of quarterback Curtis Pulley to take a lead they would not relinquish in a 31-27 victory over North Carolina A&T. Heading into the game the Aggies (5-5, 3-4) had allowed only six points in the third quarter all season; however touchdowns by Philip Sylvester and LeRoy Vann led the Rattler revival and overshadowed fumbles from both men. “We’re a long ways from playing our best ball game,” FAMU coach Joe Taylor said. “At some point that is going to have to happen, but we will have to make plays.”

Record-setting performance lifts Rattlers over Aggies

The Florida A&M University Rattlers defeated the North Carolina A&T Aggies in their regular season home finale at Bragg Stadium 31-27 in front of 8,034 fans. The game, which was the last home game for 28 Rattler seniors, was one of ups and downs. Senior LeRoy Vann returned a punt 51 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to help seal the game for Rattlers, who improved to 7-2 overall, 5-1 in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Vann has now returned five punts for a touchdown this season tying an NCAA FCS single-season record set ironically by North Carolina A&T’s Curtis Deloach in 2001. Vann also broke single-season school records for punts returned for a touchdown (five) and for punt return yards (540), both previously set by Howard Huckaby in 1988.

Vann ties a pair of NCAA records, sparks Florida A&M in 31-27 win over N.C. A&T

LeRoy Vann's punt return for a score tied two NCAA records to lead Florida A&M to a 31-27 win over North Carolina A&T on Saturday. Vann's 51-yard touchdown on a punt return in the third quarter was the senior's fifth of the season and his eighth career punt return for a score. He tied both the NCAA single-season and career records, along with setting the Football Championship Subdivision record for career returns. Vann now shares the Football Bowl Subdivision and FCS records for single-season punt return touchdowns with Hawaii's Chad Owens (2004) and North Carolina A&T's Curtis DeLoatch (2001).

Aggies come up short in upset bid

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Turnovers gave N.C. A&T a chance to defeat Florida A&M. The Aggies returned the favor. Two fumbles, an interception and a missed extra point hurt N.C. A&T as the Rattlers held on for a 31-27 victory on Saturday in MEAC football at Bragg Memorial Stadium. N.C. A&T (5-5, 3-4 MEAC) still had a final shot to pull off the upset, using a fake punt to extend the drive and push farther into FAMU territory. But the Aggies' Dontavious Payne, who graduated from Tallahassee's FAMU High School and played his home games at Bragg Stadium, was stopped on fourth-and-2 at the Rattlers' 22. Aggies coach Alonzo Lee said he thought Payne was close to a first down. "We didn't get a measurement," Lee said. "It was a situation where I was crying and hollering for a measurement -- but they couldn't because they had already moved the sticks."


Houston's mom allowed to cherish this special day at FAMU

She couldn't hold back the tears. Carron Brown's son had made her that proud. So there she was near the FAMU sideline on the football field at Bragg Stadium in front of thousands Saturday afternoon. Photographers snapped pictures of her and her boy, Cameron Houston. She only knew a few in the crowd who came with her, but this was her moment and not even being in front of a crowd of 8,034 fans for the first time in her life intimidated her. Saturday was one of two days she's been waiting for since her son enrolled at FAMU. "I'm happy," she said, wiping way tears. "I'm sure any mother would be happy to see this day." The next big occasion will be graduation. This day was special. The day that her son got his recognition for working his way to one last semester of college. Nobody kept count of the hits Cameron Houston took at nose guard. They only counted the ones he gave. He had six tackles, giving him 26 for the season.

Photo Galleries
FAMU Pre game photos
FAMU vs. NC A&T Fan Cam
FAMU 31 Aggies 27

READ MORE, CLICK BLOG TITLE.

READ RELATED ARTICLES:
Vann breaks five-game streak without a touchdown
Rattlers 'D' makes game-saving stand in final minutes
AGGIES LOSE BY INCHES
Vann Ties 2 Records in FAMU Win
FAMU sweeps past Tuskegee »
FAMU's volleyball team sweeps S.C. State »
FAMU women's basketball ready to tip it off »

No comments: