Central Florida players help lead FAMU to 27-10 win over Mississippi Valley State

ORLANDO, Florida  --  Several Florida A&M players from Orlando celebrated a homecoming Sunday at the Florida Citrus Bowl, but the party centered around three running backs and a linebacker.

James Owens, Omari Albert and Al-Turek McBurse carried the offense, and Michael Ducre helped lead the defense as the Rattlers jumped on Mississippi Valley State early and then held on for a 27-10 victory in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.

"We knew we had to finish the game. Last year that was our problem. We kept letting teams come back in the second half and so this year our focus is on finishing strong," said McBurse, a former Winter Springs running back, who played his first two seasons at Purdue before transferring to FAMU.  McBurse missed last season with a torn ACL.

McBurse, who was the Rattlers' leading ball carrier with 55 yards on six carries, teamed with Albert on a fourth-quarter drive that ate nearly seven minutes off the clock. The Rattlers sealed the win with McBurse's 14-yard touchdown run with 1:11 remaining.

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