Florida A&M Rattlers top Hampton for first win of 2012

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - For two years, James Owens had been trying to make the statement that he finally did Saturday afternoon at Bragg Stadium — the same Bragg Stadiuim where FAMU played its first home game without the sounds of the Marching 100 in the background.

Owens made it difficult for fans to think about how their Marching 100 is serving an indefinite suspension. He racked up 157 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 44-20 victory over the Pirates before of crowd 17,871.

It was a huge win for a FAMU team that had dropped its first two games, a first since 2007. The victory was even bigger, considering that it gives the Rattlers a 1-0 mark in the MEAC.

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Players credit fans for help in victory

Pamela Scott stayed until the very end of Florida A&M’s 44-20 rout of the Hampton Pirates Saturday night in Bragg Memorial Stadium.

Many Florida A&M fans have a reputation for leaving football games after the halftime performances from the much-renowned Marching 100.

The band – now suspended following the November hazing death of drum major Robert Champion – was not in its usual place in the stands.

Instead thousands of students took up the call to ignite fans. The crowd measured at 17,871 and at its best created enough noise to put the 420-student band to shame.

“I’ve been coming to football games since the 1960s,” Scott, a 1975 FAMU grad, said. “I think everybody was having a great time. I didn’t even miss the band. I’m sorry to say it but I didn’t. I’m just a real football fan.”

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