FAMU's Terry Johnson proving worth to coaches

In an odd kind of way, Terry Johnson believes a knee injury that sidelined him last year might have hastened his development.

While he couldn't play last season when he was a freshman coming out of Rickards High School, Johnson watched his Florida A&M teammates from the sidelines. It wasn't the happiest time in his young college football career, but Johnson admits that having a year to watch seniors Curtis Holcomb and Qier Hall helped him understand how to become a better cornerback.


Videographer: TheFranchisesports; FAMU QB Battle

FAMU offense shines in spring scrimmage

The display that the Florida A&M offense put on during the first spring football scrimmage was enough to give on-lookers the impression it had more than just four days of practice.

Both quarterbacks Austin Trainor and Tyler Bass won praise from coach Joe Taylor and running back Eddie Rocker made it his personal showcase on an overcast Saturday morning. When they got through the 77 plays, the offense was almost flawless in terms of penalties, with just one called for a delay of game.

FAMU coaches not letting players slide

There is no time for slouching during spring football practice. Day after day the Florida A&M coaches make that clear to every player, whether they're on scholarship or they're walk-ons.

Case in point, associate head coach George Smalls, who usually is mild-mannered, got up close and personal with one of the players on his defensive unit earlier this week.

"Get set," Small said. When he didn't get much of a response, Smart turned up the volume a little louder. "Get set; you're standing around fooling," he bellowed.  Not a detail goes unnoticed, especially when the team gets into segment drills. Coaches on both sides of the ball are seemingly doing more nit-picking because the expectations are greater for the upcoming season following a finish last year that won the Rattlers a share of the MEAC title.

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Florida A&M University Pro Day 2011

Tallahassee, Fla. - Fourteen NFL professional scouts came to Tallahassee to see the FAMU senior football players workout in front of a crowd of fans, family and other supporters. The workouts took place at the Hansel Tookes Recreation Center. The weightlifting and jumping drills took place inside the center, with the running and sprinting drills being held at the newly laid intramural turf fields.





1. Videographer: TheFranchisesports 2. Videographer: FAMUSPORTS 3. Videographer: RattlerBoosters 4. Videographer: FAMUSPORTS; Day #1 of Rattlers Spring Football Practice.



FAMU begins its quest to win the MEAC Championship outright in 2011. The Rattlers shared the 2010 championship with S.C.State and B-CU. Coach Taylor has reloaded the Rattlers, and with just nine players exhausting eligibility last season, the Rattlers will bring an experienced group to the task.

Carter finds way to Florida A&M after all

 Rattlers Head Football Coach Joe Taylor

A little more than a year ago, when Jimmie Tyson was recruiting Ravonne Carter out of Hialeah High School, Tyson saw all sorts of possibilities. Tyson, secondary coach at Florida A&M, saw a lot of Carter at cornerback, but figured he'd be the perfect nickel back. Special teams was also an option.

Tyson felt that the special relationship he'd developed with Carter meant he was on his way to FAMU. He went to New Mexico State instead. But right after the Lobos completed their second 1-11 season, Carter headed out. One of his first calls was to Tyson, who didn't hesitate to let Carter know he could come to FAMU.

"Things didn't work out as I had planned, and I felt like I needed to be closer to home," said Carter, who was a highly-touted player in high school. "FAMU was my only hope.

FAMU High grad set to make mark with Rattlers

At the urging of some parents who were watching him coach a pee-wee flag football team, George Stanley inserted his son, Jordan. Jordan was only 4 years old, but what happened next pretty much explains why he excelled at FAMU High and is hoping to do the same at Florida A&M.

"He scored a touchdown," the older Stanley said, recalling his son's first touchdown. "He was so happy, he took off running. He didn't realize that we had to finish the game. He didn't care. He was having fun."

Jordan Stanley, 5-feet-9, 190 pounds, is having even more fun nowadays for two reasons: First, he is playing his favorite position at running back; and second, he'll be playing the next three seasons as a Rattler. He's already making an impression in spring practice as he competes against Eddie Rocker and LaVante Page for a spot on the depth chart.

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Florida A&M's Rocker steps up as man to beat

Sophomore Eddie Rocker will tell you that he is not Philip Sylvester. He also will tell you that he's seen enough of the former Florida A&M running back to learn well.

Rocker finds himself as the one to beat for the starting running back job as the Rattlers go through the first week of spring practice. It wasn't supposed to be that way. But when Rutgers transfer Casey Turner didn't pan out, Rocker became Sylvester' heir apparent.

"Playing behind Phil is some big shoes to fill, but I know I can't be Philip Sylvester; I can only take from him what I've learned and capitalize on it," Rocker said after Tuesday's practice.

FAMU working out the kinks at spring practice

Just as soon as the play was over, receiver Kevin Elliott trotted off the field. He started a conversation with quarterback Austin Trainor.

They were quickly joined by almost every other receiver who wasn't involved in the ensuing play on the field. Trainor double-checked with Elliott to make sure they had the sequence of the play they'd just run.

"You've got to be able to play confidently otherwise you're going to play slow," Trainor said. "We definitely need everybody, me included, to figure it out."

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Bethune-Cookman Reaps Bay Area Talent, Hopes To Use It To Defeat FAMU

If Florida A&M alumni around the Bay area are still wondering what happened on Signing Day, yes that was your rival Bethune-Cookman coming around here and signing four players to your zero.  Going forward, this 2011 class for the respective rival HBCU schools could be a perfect test study for comparing Bay area prep prospects to those from north Florida. Has the Bay area been overlooked as one of the best training grounds in all of the country?

While both schools plucked some talent from south Florida high schools, FAMU concentrated it’s signings to the northern part of the state and Alabama and Georgia. Meanwhile, Bethune-Cookman head coach Brian Jenkins landed one of the top FCS 2011 signing classes by recruiting all over but was heavy with players on the state road 60 corridor.

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Trainor, Bass set to battle for FAMU QB job

Quarterbacks Austin Trainor and Tyler Bass are brimming with confidence. That much came across as they participated in their first joint interview to discuss their highly-anticipated competition for the Florida A&M starting job.

Their showdown begins today, with Trainor as the incumbent and Bass as his challenger. It should make for the most interesting spring practice since coach Joe Taylor took over the program three seasons ago.

"I welcome it because competition makes you better," said Trainor, who led the Rattlers to a strong finish with three victories to earn a share of the MEAC championship last season. "If there is no one to push me, how am I supposed to get better? I'm excited about the season because I feel like I've worked really hard and I'm ready to show what it is for the spring."

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FAMU Shows Off at Pro Day

Tallahassee, FL - Six seniors from last year's MEAC championship winning team showcased their skills in front of scouts today.

Lincoln grad Isaac West impressed at wide receiver. Marianna (FL) speedster Philip Sylvester also turned some heads as well. Curtis Holcomb made his impression on the defensive side of the ball. Qier Hall, Marquiste Ramos, and Kendrick Washington also participated in Wednesday's Pro Day.



FAMU football players give their all during workout

They gave their best shots in front of 14 NFL scouts during Wednesday's Pro Day testing. The next best thing would be a phone call with an invitation to attend one of the team's training camps.

"I think it was a good impression overall," said running back Philip Sylvester, one of the Rattlers' leading prospects for playing at the next level. "We did well; did what was expected. I've been working out six days a week and I met my expectation.

"It was just going out there and doing your business. That's all you can do." What they did was a battery of physical tests that included weight lifting, running the 40-meter dash and vertical jumps during the two-hour workout.

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Edwards joins other coaches leaving FAMU

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — Just as quickly as Tim Edwards made his decision to leave Florida A&M as defensive line coach, head coach Joe Taylor began to think of ways to restructure his staff.

Edwards spent Friday at a frantic pace, doing his departure paperwork while arranging for his move to Louisiana Lafayette where he begins work today as defensive line coach for the Ragin' Cajuns. His departure from FAMU comes about two weeks after tight end coach Edwin Pata took a similar job at Florida International.

Taylor confirmed the staff changes while attending a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference coaches' meeting in Winston Salem, where the conference's basketball tournament took place.

New DL coach Edwards on field for drills

UL's football players donned full pads for the first time during spring drills Sunday afternoon, and their new defensive line coach, Timothy Edwards, was there to watch all of the action.

Edwards, 42, spent the past three years as Florida A&M's co-defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator and defensive line coach and was a teammate of first-year UL head coach Mark Hudspeth at Delta State.

The Philadelphia, Miss., native replaces Mike Pelton, who recently left the Ragin' Cajuns to become the defensive line coach for his alma mater, Auburn. His hiring is pending approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.

Rattlers inducted to MEAC Hall of Fame

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Accepting a shiny ring, hugs and kisses as an inductee into the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Hall of Fame wasn't something that Natalie White envisioned.

At the time that she got notice that she would be in the HOF, White was busy trying to create ways for other young people to walk the same path she took to become a record-setting guard at Florida A&M more than a decade ago.

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Southern, Florida A&M to play in Bank of America Atlanta Classic

The Southern University football team has long played in the Bayou Classic, matching up with rival Grambling every year. Now, the Jaguars will head east to play in the Bank of America Atlanta Football Classic.

100 Black Men of Atlanta announced Wednesday that Southern and Florida A&M will square off Sept. 24 in the annual game.

First played in 1989, the Atlanta Football Classic matches Historically Black Colleges & Universities in the Georgia Dome. Southern and Florida A&M have both played in the game, but it’s the first time they will face each other in it. The halftime show features a battle of the bands.

FAMU, Southern will renew rivalry

Organizers of the Atlanta Classic ensured the revival of one of the oldest rivalries in college football Wednesday afternoon when they officially announced Southern University as Florida A&M's opponent in the September game.

The games between the two programs go back to the years when Ace Mumford coached at Southern and Jake Gaither at FAMU. When the Jaguars and Rattlers meet on Sept. 24 it will be their first since 2008.

Both teams signed a four-year deal in 2007, but had been able to keep the agreement because of conflicting commitment to their conferences. The 100 Black Men of Atlanta have signed both teams to a two-year deal to play in the annual Classic

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FAMU Rattlers add depth, replace Ukpai with pair of signings

A week after National Signing Day, Florida A&M added more depth at two positions — quarterback and offensive line — that were on the brink of depletion by the end of last season when the Rattlers ended up sitting sophomore quarterback Martin Ukpai and going on to win a share of the MEAC football championship.

Thursday, Coach Joe Taylor announced the signing of quarterback Damien Fleming, a 6-foot-3, 175-pounder out of Jacksonville Ribault High School. FAMU also signed Ryan Templeton, a highly touted 6-foot-5, 280 pound offensive lineman from Chicago.

The signings give FAMU 24 of 25 players that it recruited leading up to signing day. Taylor also confirmed that Ukpai, whose inconsistencies cost him the starting job in the last three games last season, has left the program. He's now attending a junior college in South Florida, Taylor said.

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Videographer: ospreywill;

Damien Fleming is an athletic quarterback with a live arm who can make all the throws. He is an accurate passer who has the ability to throw in the pocket or on the move & get the ball to his man. Damien has verbally committed to Vanderbilt university over offers from West Virgina & Southern. He has also received interest from Southern Miss, Louisville, Wisconsin, Ole Miss & Middle Tennessee St. Fleming is a 3.3 student and is the captain of the basketball team.

T.F. South's Templeton to play football at Florida A&M

T.F. South senior offensive linemen Ryan Templeton said he is glad he chose a school in Florida. With school canceled Wednesday because of the weather, Templeton couldn't fax his letter of intent to play football for Florida A&M, which is located in Tallahassee. He said he will fax it today or Friday, weather permitting.

"I couldn't even get out of my house," Templeton said. "I called the coaches (at Florida A&M) and told them I would fax it over this week. I am still going there. "Next year at this time, I guess I won't have to worry about snow down in Florida. I hope not."

It's all in the footwork for T.F. South football player Templeton

T.F. South High School's Ryan Templeton, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound senior, signed Wednesday with Floria A&M.

LANSING, IL | Ryan Templeton didn't need to take dance lessons to get his steps down. He just simply worked on his footwork. The 6-foot-4, 275-pound tackle knows he has to be agile as Templeton moves from right tackle to left tackle.

"I've got to be quicker, because on passing downs, I am protecting the blind side for (quarterback) Kevin Hallberg. I always tell him I got his blind side."

Hallberg is confident in his senior classmate. "He does tell me that, and I have all the confidence in Ryan, because I know he will make his blocks," Hallberg said. "He has really worked hard, and I know he lost a lot of weight since his freshman year, and he has just put in a lot of effort to getting better."


Videographer: RattlerBoosters; 2011 Rattler Signing Day Bash - Schedule & Team Analysis pt I

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Taylor calls class best since he has arrived at FAMU

One of the promises Joe Taylor made when he took over as head football coach at Florida A&M was to have his recruiting staff cast a wide net. Call it a promise kept if the class of signees announced Wednesday is an indication.

Taylor reached as far as Hawaii for help to shore up the Rattlers' offensive line, signing offensive guard Pieper Kawika. FAMU beat out nine other schools, including Duke from the ACC and Marshall of Conference USA, for the services of the 6-foot-3, 320-pound two-time all-state lineman from Moanalua High School.

In all, FAMU signed 22 of the 25 prospects it pursued during the recruiting period. Taylor hailed the class, which includes three Division I transfers and one from a junior college, as the best he's recruited since taking over the FAMU program.


Videographer: FAMUSPORTS

2011 FAMU Rattlers Signees

Aiken, Patrick, 5-10/170, CB, Pembroke Pines, Fla./Flanagan H.S.

Bass, Tyler, 6-4/210,QB, r-Jr. Atlanta, Ga./Memphis

Broaddus, James, 6-5/245, DE Choctawhatchee, Fla./Choctawhatchee H.S.

Brinson, Sherrod, 6-1/270 OC Madison, Fla./Madison HS

Carroll, Jeremiah, 6-4/290 OL Dothan, Ala./Northview HS

Carter, Ravonne, 5-11/190 DB Fr. Miami, Fla./New Mexico

Gibson, LaDontae, 6-4/280 OL/DL Madison, Fla./Madison HS

Harrison, Delmus, 5-11/185 RB Tallahassee, Fla./FAMU DRS

Harvey, DeWayne, 6-3/200 Ath Tallahassee, Fla./Florida HS

Hypollite, Ellie 6-4/275 DL Jr. Bartow, Fla./Eerie JC

Liford, Gene 6-9/280 OL Monticello, Fla./Aucilla HS

James, Dane 6-1/180 QB Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd Anderson

McGhee, Rickey 6-2/190 WR Crawfordville, Fla./Rickards HS

Morris, Michael 6-5/230 TE Jacksonville, Fla./Andrew Jackson H.S.

Nettles, Michael 6-5/290 OL Miami, Fla./Miami Palmetto

Newton, Brenton 6-3/255 TE/FB Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd Anderson

Pieper, Kawika 6-3/320 OG/C Fr. Honolulu, Hawaii/Moanalua HS

Powell, Darius 6-0/206 Ath Gainesville, Fla./East Side

Turner, Casey 5-11/190 RB r-Fr. Jacksonville, Fla./Rutgers University/Ed White H.S.

Ward, Kevin 6-4/285 OG Raleigh, N.C./Broughton HS

Williams, Anthony 6-0/175 WR Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./Boyd Anderson

FAMU signee ready to shine in classroom

Crista Wright, a math teacher at Gainesville Eastside High School, wasn't sure what to think of Darius Powell the first couple of days he was in her classroom. He appeared a little too shy, although as a sophomore he had already demonstrated that he was a star on the school's football team. That threw Wright for a loop.

"He wasn't that typical, 'Oh, I'm playing football. I'm the star; look at me,' " she said. "He was very driven by his academics. He became a leader in the classroom. He would take other athletes under his wings and encourage them to make sure they were doing their homework."

Florida A&M Rattlers – Meet the Class

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown/High School

Aiken, Patrick CB 5-10 170 Pembroke Pines/Flanagan
Snake Bites: All-Broward County Team selection … Recorded 54 tackles, 12 pass break-ups, two interceptions, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, 326 yards in kick returns with two TDs his senior year of play.

Bass, Tyler QB 6-4 210 Atlanta, Ga./Memphis
Snake Bites: In 2009 at Memphis, Bass played in four of the 12 games at quarterback, making three starts as the Tiger signal caller … Averaged 213.2 yards of total offense per game (45.0 rushing, 168.3 passing) … Ranked No. 73 nationally among quarterbacks by Scout.com … Tabbed No. 57 nationally among athletes by Scouts Inc. … Also rushed for 606 yards and 11 TDs on 81 carries.

Florida A&M fans cheer recruits

Right after winning one of the give-away prizes that were handed out during the celebration of Florida A&M catches on National Signing Day, Cicero Hartsfield dashed to find a Sharpie. He had to have coach Joe Taylor's signature on the football that he'd won.

It was a little more than Hartsfield came for when he showed up at The Moon on Wednesday night. He and about 200 other FAMU boosters and fans were there for their first look at the new Rattlers.

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FAMU near top of list for Eastside's Powell

Offers are on the table from Bowling Green, Towson State, North Carolina A&T, and Marshall in addition to one from FAMU.

On the drive to Tallahassee for a visit at Florida A&M, the potential of becoming a Rattler football player wasn't in Eastside linebacker Darius Powell's plans. The trip was just part of what recruits do during the weeks leading up to National Signing Day.

While driving back home to Gainesville, Mike Powell realized that his son had added FAMU to the list of schools that he's seriously considering.

“Everybody knows that he is really, really interested,” Mike Powell said Wednesday, stopping short of officially disclosing his son's intentions to play football at FAMU. “Now FAMU is as strong as anyone that he is considering.”


Videographer: kissimmee352

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Rutgers RB Casey Turner Transfers to Florida A&M

Promising running back Casey Turner of Jacksonville, Fla., who did not play as a true freshman last year, announced his decision to transfer to Florida A&M.

Turner, a highly regarded 5-11, 190 pounder, never got the chance to play because of persistent groin problems. Turner redshirted in 2010 after suffering a groin injury before the season opener with Norfolk State.

He rushed for 2,232 yards and 31 touchdowns as a high school senior and was viewed as Rutgers' running back of the future. Coming out of Edward H. White High School, he was timed in 4.45 seconds for the 40-yard dash and rushed for 1,950 yards as a junior. Turner was ranked as a 3-star running back by Rival.com.

He committed to Florida International in the fall 2009, committed to Rutgers in December (2009) and then committed to North Carolina in January 2010. He flipped back to the Scarlet Knights the night before signing day.

Turner is expected to compete for the starting running back position vacated by Rattlers' graduating senior Phillip Sylvester.

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Ellie Hyppolite Signs with Florida A&M Football

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. - Erie Community College defensive lineman Ellie Hyppolite (Daytona Beach, Fla./Spruce Creek) has signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll and play football at Florida A&M. The 6-foot-4, 270 pound Hyppolite recorded 13 tackles (9 solo/4 assists) in eight games in 2010. He made 3.5 tackles for loss, broke up one pass, and forced one fumble. Hyppolite posts a 4.8 40-yard dash time.

Florida A&M won a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in 2010, finishing with an 8-3 overall record. The midyear junior college transfer signing period started December 15, 2010 and runs until Jan. 15, 2011.



Boyd Anderson QB is leaning toward FAMU

Boyd Anderson High School quarterback Dane James would like to take advantage of early enrollment at a university so that he would have some leverage to compete for the starting job during spring workouts. James and his father told the Democrat on Saturday that there are at least four schools on his list. Florida A&M is the front-runner, they said.

Mark James also said his son will make his decision within a week so that he could enroll no later than a week after classes begin next week.

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TODAY: 2010 Russell Athletic HBCU All-Star Bowl

The HBCU All-Star Bowl kicks off at 2 p.m. at the Georgia Dome. It is a radio only affair and you can listen in at: www.classicsportsradio.com, starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Visit: http://www.hbcubowl.com or click title.

Choctaw grad Cragin to play in HBCU Bowl

Josh Cragin isn’t approaching his appearance in the Historically Black College and University’s Bowl as the ultimate opportunity to get noticed by NFL scouts. For him, it’s just a perk. “It’s definitely an honor,” Cragin said. “They say it’s the best of the best in the HBCU, so it’s definitely a privilege.”

The Alcorn State University star and Choctawhatchee graduate is just thankful for the chance to play in today’s game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. It’s a showcase for the top 100 draft-eligible seniors — including 10 alternates — from all HBCU football conferences (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, Southwestern Athletic Conference, Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference).

Lamar's McFadden, Lake City's Harrison to play in HBCU bowl

Seven South Carolina State players, including Pee Dee natives Marshall McFadden and Josh Harrison, will be playing in the HBCU Bowl on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.

The HBCU Bowl teams are made up of the top senior football players from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The East team is made up of players from the MEAC and CIAA and coached by Florida A&M coach Joe Taylor, while the West team is made up of players from the SWAC and the SIAC and coached by Tuskegee coach Willie Slater.

McFadden, who played at Lamar, had 47 tackles, two sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown this season for the Bulldogs, who advanced to the FCS playoffs ...

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Ammons, Taylor have FAMU football team walking stage

Little of what Joe Taylor tells his football players when they show up in the spring changes during the years. At some point in the conversation, he'll tell them if they don't attend classes they won't play for him. His reason is this: If a student-athlete commits to the classroom he will show the same commitment on the field. Frankly, Taylor says, it's about trust.

"You cannot have a relationship if there isn't trust involved," Taylor said. "I can't help you and you can't help me if we can't trust each other."

It's a philosophy that has worked well for Taylor, especially at Florida A&M where a record number of football players are graduating from the program. Taylor has gotten a lot of help from FAMU president James Ammons, who has made the Rattlers' athletic program top priority since becoming president three years ago.


Videographer:FAMUSPORTS

Olaves rebuilding FAMU swimming program

The stoic look on Jorge Olaves' face was a good sign that he wasn't joking as he stared at the list of records set over the past eight years by Florida A&M swimmers, then made a very bold statement. "I want to break all those records," he said emphatically. "All those records."

That from a man who took over the men's and women's teams for a second time with a handful of swimmers and without a home pool. But he said he's seeing progress as his swimmers are dropping their times and he's getting overseas inquiries from potential recruits.

All he needs is time, said Olaves, who coached the Rattlers from 1997 to 2002. Back then, he started with five swimmers and had a men's and women's squad of 35 when he left the program.

Stevens stepping into leadership role for Rattlers

Defenders were all around Amin Stevens early in the second half as Florida A&M was in the midst of a run. Stevens got enough clearance to sink a layup that trimmed Bethune-Cookman's lead to one. The Rattlers scored on their next possession to go up by one point for their only lead in the game, which they eventually lost. But with every touch of the ball, Stevens tried to deliver.

"I just try to make plays for everybody," he said. "I drive to the goal and if anybody collapses on me I just kick it out for the open shot. But I'm looking to score more than I did last year."




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FAMU has pitchers to spare

Sophomore pitcher Steven Dollar said it best when he described the options that interim head coach Brett Richardson will have when it comes to his pitching staff. "If somebody's arm gets sore, we can just go ahead and pull him out; don't wait another inning," Dollar said.

Having such a choice is huge turnaround for a Florida A&M baseball program that last season had to use just about every player on its roster as a pitcher. The bullpen was so thin that...

FAMU Scores at Will in 93-70 Rout of Webber

TALLAHASSEE | Webber International University failed to stop any aspect of Florida A&M's offense Monday night. The Rattlers scored a season-high 93 points en route at a 93-70 exhibition victory over the Warriors. Webber failed to match up against FAMU's superior size and allowed 46 points in the paint.

"They beat us pretty good on the inside," said senior guard Justin Cockrell, who scored 11 points. "In our conference we should be able to match up pretty good but they beat us with the inside play."

Rattlers lose 7, return 15 to football field next year

When Florida A&M lines up on the football field next season, there shouldn't be too many uncommon faces. The program will lose just seven starters who completed their eligibility at the end of this season. In almost every case, the players who were backups will likely be promoted unless they are beaten out in spring.

In all, the Rattlers will have 15 starters returning, a situation that had coach Joe Taylor beaming with optimism about next season. All of the players who played on special teams also will return. "We have very good reasons to be optimistic," Taylor said Tuesday. "With 15 starters coming back, that simply tells us that we're going to be experienced. We've got a lot to build on."

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FAMU savors share of the MEAC title

There wasn't a single player sulking around the Galimore Fieldhouse after Florida A&M found out it wasn't invited to the postseason party. Instead, coach Joe Taylor said he and his players are savoring their successes of the season.

Namely, the Rattlers' six-game win streak that culminated with a 38-27 victory over Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic is worth celebrating. By virtue of handing the Wildcats their only loss in 11 games, FAMU got a share of the Mid-Eastern Conference Championship.


Videographer: toocqrtonvu

Sylvester's 3 TDs lead Rattlers

ORLANDO -- Philip Sylvester had never before scored three touchdowns in a football game. Not even in Pop Warner or high school. The Florida A&M senior with nearly 3,000 career rushing yards picked a perfect time to reach his career-best scoring effort. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound running back had three TDs Saturday to lead the Rattlers to a 38-27 comeback win over Bethune-Cookman in the Florida Classic.

Sylvester was presented FAMU's Most Valuable Player Award much to the delight of the Rattler faithful -- and the school's band -- following the game at the Florida Citrus Bowl.

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Videographer: sonyadenise1974 (FAMU Complete Half-Time Show in HD - Mid-Stadium)

Phillip Sylvester, FAMU ruin B-CU's perfect season

Florida A&M running back Philip Sylvester almost spent more time going backward than forward Saturday during the first half of the Florida Classic. But when a force begins to take motion, something has to give, and in this case it was the Bethune-Cookman defense.

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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FAMU BCU Pregame FAMU 38 BCU 27

ATTENDANCE: 61,712

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FAMU 'D' in for a tough test

The onus will squarely be placed on the defensive unit when Florida A&M tries to complete its run for a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in the Florida Classic.

That the Rattlers (7-3, 6-1) would be playing Saturday for a title, much less an outside shot at making the postseason, seemed improbably a month ago. But here they are going against a Bethune-Cookman (10-0, 7-0) with all that at stake.

FAMU's defense has had four takeaways for touchdowns this season, but ...

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Glory Days of FAMU Football

Videographer: MrCrownRoyle