FAMU runs past Savannah State Tigers, 47-7

Savannah, Georgia -- Al-Terek McBurse came out of high school as one of the top running backs in Florida and signed with Purdue. But after two years as a Boilermaker, McBurse decided to transfer to Florida A&M to be closer to home. On Saturday, McBurse made the move pay off — running wild as the Rattlers dominated host Savannah State in a 47-7 MEAC victory.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound junior seemed to impose his will on the Tigers — piling up a career-high 218 yards on just 14 carries. He scored on touchdown runs of 5, 60 and 31 yards in front of 4,356 fans at T.A. Wright Stadium.

“I was raised by my grandmother and I just wanted to be closer to her,” McBurse said “And I was able to make the change without having to sit out a year. I’ve had better games in high school, but this is my best in college.

“I’ve got to credit my offensive line, fullback and receivers for allowing me to get to the second level,” McBurse said. “From there, I was able to ...

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McBurse scores 3 TDs as Rattlers blast the SSU Tigers

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Florida A&M had its hiccups throughout the night, but Saturday was a victory the Rattlers football team needed. Through it all, the offense showed a new-found spark in running back Al-Terek McBurse, who anchored a 47-7 victory over Savannah State on Saturday night at T.A. Wright Stadium.

McBurse, a transfer from Purdue, ran every play as if he wouldn't be denied, and in the process turned out to be the impact FAMU needed out of the backfield. By halftime, he had four carries for 114 yards. That included his biggest run of 60 yards for his second score.

McBurse finished the night with 218 yards, becoming the first FAMU running back since Philip Sylvester to go over 200 yards in a game. Sylvester rushed for 222 yards against Howard in 2007. McBurse also had two other touchdown runs of 5 and 31 yards.

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Old Ties

Although FAMU played SSU for only the fourth time, their ties go back almost a century. Six years before their first meeting in 1927, Ted Wright for whom the Tigers' stadium is named, was a coach at FAMU.

Wright coached two seasons at SSU, starting in 1947. That was 20 years after the first meeting between the two teams, which FAMU won 18-0.

They wouldn't meet again until 77 years later when the Rattlers again beat the Tigers, 50-14.



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