Keys to the Game: Florida A&M vs. Delaware State
Time: Today at 6 p.m.
Site: Bragg Memorial Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
Live Game Streaming Video/Audio (FamCast):
http://www.famu.edu/famcast/
Radio: 96.1 FM.
Series: FAMU leads 18-8.
Forecast: Sunny with 10 percent chance of rain.
Joe Taylor has built a reputation throughout his coaching career for a stable of running backs, and the 2009 Rattlers should not be an exception. Junior Philip Sylvester has returned from injury, but sophomore Lonvontae Page, senior Mykel Benson and freshman Eddie Rocker will also get carries in an offense that led the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in scoring in 2008.
FAMU quarterback Curtis Pulley said a big key will be putting the ball in the hands of the Rattlers' talented skill-position players and letting them make plays.
Jerome Strums, who intercepted Pulley last year to seal the Hornets' victory, said the defensive unit plans to pressure the Rattlers' offense "out of their environment" so Pulley will not be able to sit in the pocket and find receivers Isaac West or Kevin Elliott or one of the Rattlers' other running backs.
DSU sees only wide-open potential
The Delaware State University and Florida A&M football teams are a contrast in preseason expectations. After all, the Hornets were picked to finish seventh in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference while FAMU was chosen to finish second behind South Carolina State. The good news for Delaware State is that none of that matters once kickoff time arrives for its season opener at 6 tonight inside Florida A&M's Bragg Memorial Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. Several Hornets admit they hear the whispers that they are about to run into a brick wall since they have already suffered a conference loss due to a forfeit and have treacherous games at Delaware (Sept. 19) and Michigan (Oct. 17) looming.
They just choose to ignore it. "I don't see any brick wall," said Nick Richmond, DSU's senior center. "I'm excited. I think this is one of the best teams that we've had while I've been here. "We're flying a little under the radar with how people picked us in the [preseason] standings but as far as I can speak, offensively, we have more weapons than we've ever had."
Anthony Glaud, a redshirt junior, will be making his first start at quarterback for the Hornets tonight. The Sicklerville, N.J., native completed 47 of 75 pass attempts for 523 yards and two touchdowns in a backup role behind four-year starter Vashon Winton last season. Glaud has three returning receivers with whom to work in Larrone Moore, Erick Jones and Zach Charles.
For small schools, there's a big payoff to road trips
DOVER, Del. — The coaches and players at 3,534-student Delaware State know their chances of winning at mighty Michigan later this season are slim at best. But they also understand why their program, which plays a level of NCAA football below that of the Wolverines, will make the trip: a $550,000 payday. At Delaware State, that's equivalent to the revenue from at least two years of home games. "From a competitive standpoint, it's not an ideal situation," says Delaware State football coach Al Lavan, whose team plays in a 7,000-seat stadium, compared with the 106,000-seat Michigan Stadium. "(But) you always have hope."
FAMU's opponent Delaware State forced to play catchup early
Long before today's kickoff against FAMU, Al Lavan knew his Delaware State football team had a lot of catching up to do — on the field and in the win-loss column. The Hornets had to forfeit their Oct. 17 MEAC games against North Carolina A&T State because of a scheduling conflict with getting Michigan on their schedule for the same date. Now it's about making up ground, and Lavan will have to count on a young team to do so. The Hornets return just 12 starters from last year's team, which struggled down the stretch and fell short of preseason predictions that they would take at least second place in the league.
DSU was picked to finished seventh this year. "They must grow up fast by (today)," Lavan said earlier this week during the MEAC coaches conference call. "We've got to take that quick step forward and play well to win," he said. "I don't think it's a make-or-break situation for us but we must step forward and meet the challenge that I'm sure the Rattlers will present."
Taylor's young guns providing FAMU guidance
There was no shortage of candidates when Joe Taylor was filling his staff 21 months ago as FAMU's new head football coach. The list included three graduate assistants from the staff of Taylor's predecessor. Olympics sports strength and conditioning coach Antonio Wallace, who was caught in the crossfire of the termination of former coach Rubin Carter and his assistants, also was looking to join Taylor. Taylor hired Wallace. He kept Juan Vasquez as kicking coach, before his first spring practice. The other two — Jimmie Tyson and Edwin Pata — were left to prove themselves.
Taylor resorted to the same approach he has for walk-ons, allowing them to decide their fate by proving their abilities. "When I see you taking up more responsibility, it's easy for me," Taylor said. "All I have to do is evaluate and believe what I see." He saw enough during his first spring practice to keep them as graduate assistants. Both Pata and Tyson started this season football payroll. Together the four assistants join a growing list of youthful college assistant coaches who are less than 10 years older than the players they coach. Pata, Tyson and Vasquez have at least two years before their 30th birthday, while Wallace is a year away.
Rattlers take their place in the Hall
Jacquay Nunnally has come full circle to the point that he finds himself telling young football players some of the same things he heard before he became a record-setting receiver at FAMU almost a decade ago. He also can now tell his proteges that he is coaching at Miami South Ridge about the result of hard work. Nunnally was inducted Friday night into the FAMU Hall of Fame along with three other athletes and two supporters at the school's new arena.
"It's a huge honor because the institution recognizes you as one of the best that ever came through; With names like (NFL Hall of Famer) Bob Hayes," Nunnally said. "That's incredible. It's a huge honor. Huge." Some players who had come after him had gotten a place in FAMU's Hall of Fame years ago, but waiting his turn is something that the record-setting receiver is used to. Nunnally, 30, redshirted a year before he got quality playing time. He was highly recruited by FSU and UCF, but that didn't mean much to coach Billy Joe. His team was loaded with receivers who were getting the job done.
FAMU: Taylor Keeps Loaded Rattlers Humble
Joe Taylor brought success back to Florida A&M in a hurry. The longtime head coach with 200-plus wins led the Rattlers to a 9-3 finish in his first season at the school in 2008. FAMU went 3-8 the year before. "Hopefully, we didn't screw up by winning too many. Now they probably expect for you to win them all," Taylor joked. Expectations will surely be for this group to produce. The Rattlers are predicted by many to compete for the MEAC title, and Taylor is warning his troops about staying grounded and keeping up a high work ethic.
"Now that you're coming from maybe hunting to being hunted, you have to really work even harder," he said. Experience will help. FAMU has 18 starters returning, and the team's mind-set has evolved with the experience of its players. "Last year, they kind of stepped out on faith, they didn't really know," Taylor said. "But this year, it looks to me (like) they're stepping out on belief. They are working hard and no matter what happened in the past you just can't forget what got you there." The Rattlers have two key playmakers back on offense - quarterback Curtis Pulley and running back Philip Sylvester.
FAMU Rattlers back on track
It's not that the win total is important to Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor. It's just that he wants it reported right. One of the headlines on the Rattlers' homepage is a homage to Taylor, a graphic congratulating the second-year FAMU coach on his 205 career victories -- the bulk coming while at Hampton University. "Actually, I think it's 206,'' Taylor said. "I hope they do [get it right]. For that one win I probably aged five years.''
This year's FAMU football team could rejuvenate Taylor. The Rattlers team that he took over ended a 3-8 campaign in 2007 with a 34-7 loss to Bethune-Cookman. In its first year under Taylor, FAMU was 9-3 -- this time beating rival Bethune-Cookman in a 58-35 shootout and finishing second in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
Opener could define the season for FAMU
Curtis Pulley probably wouldn't recognize Delaware State free safety Jerome Strums, other than being a stranger, if they were to cross paths in the hallway at Galimore Fieldhouse. But Pulley hasn't forgotten how Strums upended his debut at quarterback for FAMU a year ago in Dover, Del. Pulley had engineered a FAMU comeback that fell short in overtime, when Strums intercepted a pass from Pulley on the Rattlers' first possession in the overtime to give FAMU its first of three losses.
All-American KR LeRoy Vann
Being thrust into an overtime game wasn't the ideal situation for Pulley, who was still learning coach Joe Taylor's offense. "I wasn't nervous," Pulley said. "It was just trying to do too much." Pulley redeemed himself with a remarkable season, but Saturday he could get a bit of revenge when FAMU meets the Hornets in a game that carries a lot of weight by the way Taylor puts it. He went as far as to say that the outcome could define the Rattlers' season. Taylor used a baseball analogy to make his point during his weekly news conference Tuesday.
FAMU eyes MEAC title in Taylor's second year
Joe Taylor needed just one season to take Florida A&M from turmoil to respectability. Now he has the Rattlers believing they can return to the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. Belief, Taylor said, is the key word. "Last year, they kind of stepped out on what I call faith," Taylor said. "This year, you can see they're stepping out on belief. That's the big difference."
A 3-8 record in 2007 cost former FAMU coach Rubin Carter his job and Taylor, who had spent 16 years at Hampton, stepped in. He led the Rattlers to a 9-3 season, punctuated with a 58-35 win over rival Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic. By that time, Taylor said, the players knew the program was back on track. "They felt like it could happen, but they really weren't sure," Taylor said. "But now they see hard work pays off." So does a high-scoring offense and a turnover-happy defense. The Rattlers used both to key the turnaround.
Rattlers' defense performs at goal
At the sound of the horn, FAMU coach Joe Taylor dashed from his position near in the practice squad area to where the first team was lining up for the usual finale to practice — the goal-line drill. It's where the offense and defense mercilessly test each other in the red zone."This is my favorite part of practice," Taylor said, jogging to a better vantage point.
On the first play, quarterback Curtis Pulley gave the ball to running back Lavonte Paige. Nothing doing. Another give to Paige. Loss of 1 yard.On the fourth play, Pulley threw an incomplete pass to tight end Max Purcell. Score that series for the defense. A few special teams plays were sandwiched between another series of downs. The defense was stubborn again until fullback Mykel Benson came out of the backfield to catch a pass in the end zone. "We all just went hard," said nose tackle Cameron Houston. "They are going to get some and we're going to get some. We have one of the best offenses in the nation and one of the best defenses in the nation. We just try to come out and compete."
FAMU's O-line set to protect Pulley
No matter how many new wrinkles quarterback Curtis Pulley may have introduced with his habit of salvaging busted plays, the players on FAMU offensive line have a one-track mind when it comes to protecting their quarterback. They are zealous with it, too. "We take pride in what we are doing," said center Steve Brazzle. "We are the protectors (and) we have to look out for whoever has the ball." Four of the linemen doing the job are seniors, with Chris Sands out of Leon High School as the lone junior. For most of the five of them, this is their fourth quarterback they're working with in the last three seasons.
Pulley, who rotated last season with Eddie Battle, brings versatility that the offensive line hasn't had to deal with. His penchant to take off running when a play breaks down seemingly not only brought a different dimension to how the line does its job, it has brought more of a swagger to the line. "He gives us confidence because he is so versatile and he makes the defense play differently," said left guard Anthony Collins. "That makes it easier, actually."
Buzz builds for start of football
The car flags are starting to come out, even if they're not the harbinger they once were. Ticket sales are booming. Both schools drew packed houses for kickoff luncheons. So if the buzz has seemed muted to the casual observer, know that Florida State and Florida A&M fans are pumped for the start of football season. "Over the summer, with the students gone, there may have been a lull," said FSU senior Alex Mookas on Thursday as he walked by Doak Campbell Stadium. "But with the students back, it's started building. The excitement, especially with (first opponent) Miami is definitely there."
FAMU and FSU open their 2009 football seasons with home games this weekend. Saturday evening, FAMU hosts Delaware State. Monday night, FSU hosts rival Miami. With FAMU (9-3) and FSU (9-4) coming off their best seasons since the first half of the decade, anticipation for 2009 is high among officials and fans of both teams. FAMU officials have seen similar enthusiasm, tempered by the economy. FAMU booster contributions are running $30,000 ahead of last year at this time, when the boosters contributed about $150,000 to athletics. Saturday's crowd is unlikely to match last year's opener, when a season-high 18,088 attended the first game of the Coach Joe Taylor era. But it could climb above 15,000.
FAMU to induct 7 into Hall of Fame
All summer, Leon Collier excitedly awaited his induction into the Florida A&M University Sports Hall of Fame. The former two-sport athlete for the Rattlers during the late 1950s prepared a speech to celebrate his unanticipated inclusion among the pantheon of athletic legends at his alma mater. But "Tex" Collier will only be there in spirit. He died Aug. 14 while visiting family in Atlanta. In his place will be a collection of family and friends who look forward to celebrating the love Collier had for his alma mater.
"He was really excited about it and I talked to him on several occasions," said Dr. Joseph Ramsey, who is organizing Friday's banquet. "We're pretty down about that." Ramsey added that Friday's ceremony, held at the FAMU Multi-purpose Teaching Gymnasium, will be more poignant than usual because of Collier's recent passing. The late football and basketball star will be accompanied by six others including another offensive tackle in Terry Beauford, quarterback Tony Ezell, wide receiver Jacquay Nunnally, basketball player Aldwin Ware, and supporters Dr. Edward Scott and Keith Miles.
FAMU football a family affair for Wilson, Brazzle
Every time Evander Wilson walked by the trophy case at Coatesville (Pa.) High School, he'd see a photo of his brother, Steve Brazzle. It served as a reminder how good an athlete Brazzle was and gave his younger brother something to aspire to. "When he is three years gone and everybody in the town is still talking about how good he is," Wilson said, "I just wanted to follow in those footsteps." To do that, Wilson scoffed at offers from South Carolina State and Hampton University. Both were offering scholarships, but he opted to accept preferred walk-on status at FAMU.
Emulating an older sibling is a bit of tradition that started with Brazzle, who said his 32-year-old brother was his influence for him and Charles Brazzle, a defensive lineman at Cheney State. While growing up in Pennsylvannia, all four brothers played football, baseball and were on the Coatesville track team. Brazzle said his oldest brother, who played at North Carolina State, remains his biggest influence. The No. 64 that he wears on his jersey is the same number that his brother wore for the Wolfpack. No two of the brothers had ever played together on the same team, though, until Wilson came to FAMU during the summer. He is a fullback and Brazzle plays center on the offensive line.
FAMU receives $79000 in royalties after counterfeit crack down
More than a year has passed since Florida A&M began an intensive crackdown on counterfeit paraphernalia, as staffers received help from university and city police officers to arrest those selling contraband T-shirts, hats and other gear displaying the Rattler brand. By all accounts, the university’s effort has been a success, and Sabrina Thompson and other staff members are reaping the rewards for their hard work.
FAMU ranked No. 1 among Historically Black Colleges and Universities in selling licensed merchandise by generating $79,007 in royalties during the 2008-2009 fiscal year, according to Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC). “We are really, really excited,” Thompson, FAMU’s coordinator for licensing, said. “We knew that the revenue was going back for a worthy cause — scholarships for athletic students.” Thompson said more than $3,000 in materials has been confiscated. “Every home football game, I go out on Fridays and visit different More than a year has passed since Florida A&M began an intensive crackdown on counterfeit paraphernalia, as staffers received help from university and city police officers to arrest those selling contraband T-shirts, hats and other gear displaying the Rattler brand.
Walter McCoy resigns as FAMU's head track coach
Florida A&M University President James Ammons accepted the resignation of Walter McCoy on Thursday as men's track and field coach, the university announced Thursday night. The resignation is effective immediately. It came a week after Ammons proudly introduced McCoy as the new men's track coach and Darlene Moore as the head women's track and field coach. McCoy's resignation comes four days after he was booked and released from the Leon County Jail on an unemployment compensation fraud charge from Jefferson County, according to jail records.
According to Leon County Sheriff's Office booking records, McCoy was arrested by the Tallahassee Police Department and registered at the county jail at 5:57 p.m. Monday and was released at 9:08 that night. FAMU spokeswoman Sharon Saunders said she was unable to say if the resignation was related to the legal case. McCoy declined to speak when called at his Monticello home.
College football reinvigorates local economy
The general idea for businesses during football season in Tallahassee is to "step it up, get ready and hold on," says Chris Dodge, manager of the Mellow Mushroom restaurant on Pensacola Street. Florida A&M University is also expecting a high attendance at its first home game of the season today. "Everyone benefits from a Rattler football game," said Carla Willis, FAMU University Relations vice president. There is some concern, however, that this year's football turnout from traveling fans may not meet the turnout from previous years. The weak economy plays a role in that.
"This is a real tough time economically," said Mickey Clayton, Rattler Boosters executive director. "People are being more cautious with the way they are spending. That may mean they are not going to be traveling to the games as they have in the past." Emily Johnson-Truitt, director of sales at the recently opened Aloft Tallahassee Downtown Hotel, is excited to get in on this year's football season action. "We haven't been open a full week yet," she said. "There's an energy that the staff has with this first big weekend approaching. We are definitely amped and ready."
Other hotels like the Ramada Conference Center on North Monroe Street are accustomed to the football season rush. This weekend it will house both traveling teams (Delaware State and Miami), bringing $50,000 in revenue.
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