Sylvester had just 2 rushing yards at halftime and it looked like his string of five-straight 100-yard games was in jeopardy. Some halftime adjustments, however, along with a little patience, finally got Sylvester moving forward and after 144 second-half yards, the senior had sparked a FAMU upset of previously unbeaten B-CU 38-27.
"God is so good," Sylvester said from the Citrus Bowl podium after accepting the MVP trophy after the game. "Thank you Rattler nation for not giving up on us
Notebook: FAMU coach making mark
ORLANDO - Prior to Saturday's matchup against Bethune-Cookman, Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor was tied with Rattlers coaching greats Jake Gaither and Billy Joe with the most wins in their first three seasons (24). After the win, Taylor sits atop that category. Even with much at stake — a possible at-large playoff bid, a share of the MEAC title and the chance to knock off an undefeated team, he said this win wasn't any bigger than his 221 previous wins.
"All of them are blessings," Taylor said. "No one is bigger than the other on, you just enjoy (each one). This is over 200 (wins) now, so all of them are big and I enjoy them all."
Videographer: tijuanae (ESPN Classic Television Version)
Rattlers spoil Wildcats' dream
ORLANDO -- The last time Florida A&M dashed Bethune-Cookman's hopes of an undefeated season, the annual meeting between the Rattlers and the Wildcats was not yet known as the Florida Classic. With a classic reversal of fortunes in the second half Saturday, FAMU frustrated B-CU once again.
Philip Sylvester ran for all but 2 of his 146 yards during final two quarters and scored three touchdowns as the Rattlers, to the delight of the green-and-orange portion of the 61,712 at the Florida Citrus Bowl, rallied for a 38-27 victory and a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship.
Because of the conference's points system used to break multiteam ties, Bethune-Cookman (10-1) will represent the MEAC in the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. The Wildcats and the Rattlers finished 7-1 in league play, as did South Carolina State, which beat North Carolina A&T earlier in the day.
Highlights from FAMU's win over Bethune-Cookman
Three quick things to take away from Florida A&M 38, BCU 27:
•1. Never underestimate the intensity of a Classic. The Wildcats' previous spotless record meant little to the Rattlers who strengthened their series lead 20-10.
•2. Joe Taylor could be in the process of building a Jake Gaither-type legacy. Taylor is the first FAMU coach since Gaither to collect 24 wins in three season. Gaither, who coached from 1945-1969, won six black college national championships.
•3. BCU can brush off this loss quickly as they a still earned a share of the MEAC conference title and already clinched the FCS bid.
Rattlers earn slice of MEAC title
ORLANDO — More than a minute was left in the game as the Florida A&M football team moved closer to the end zone. As the clock kept running, the Rattlers lined up for a second-down play on Bethune-Cookman's 3-yard-line and the FAMU fans were deafening.
Rattlers' quarterback Austin Trainer handed the ball off to running back Philip Sylvester. Sensing that he would get his third touchdown, the crowd went bonkers as Sylvester blazed right up the middle with 28 seconds left. That touchdown capped a remarkable day that saw Sylvester gain 146 second-half yards and rally the Rattlers to a 38-27 victory.
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