Lavante Page sets FAMU record at Atlanta Classic

Atlanta, Georgia - Lavante Page helped make sure Florida A&M wouldn’t start its first losing streak in the Atlanta Football Classic.

The Douglas County High graduate scored a school-record five rushing touchdowns Saturday in FAMU’s 38-33 victory over Southern at the Georgia Dome. Page scored the final three touchdowns for the Rattlers, who came back from a 33-17 deficit in the second half.

Page, who grew up in Oakland City, said he had countless family and friends among the announced crowd of 59,373. They watched him surpass the four rushing touchdowns scored by FAMU quarterback Oteman Sampson vs. Tuskegee in 1996.



“It feels real good,” said Page, who finished with 78 yards on 16 carries. “But I’m more happy with just getting the win. We were down, and on the sidelines people’s heads were down. I told the offense, ‘It’s going to be a shootout.”

The Rattlers (2-2) rallied behind Page, freshman quarterback Damien Fleming and their defense.

READ MORE

USF coach Skip Holtz gives Florida A&M scouting report

Florida A&M (1-1) at (20) South Florida (2-0)
Time: 7 PM ET
Location:  Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Internet Broadcast: ESPN3 (Live)



GAME NOTES: South Florida continues to climb the rankings and rightfully so. Skip Holtz's 20th-ranked Bulls will put their 2-0 record on the line this weekend, when they welcome FCS foe Florida A&M to Tampa.

South Florida opened the season in South Bend, which is never an easy place to play. However, the crazed crowd did not influence South Florida, which earned a 23-20 victory in a game delayed a couple of time dues to weather. Usually after a win of that magnitude there is a letdown, but that was not the case for USF, which followed the win with a dominating performance against Ball State (37-7).

This should be the toughest opponent for Florida A&M this season. The Rattlers opened the 2011 campaign with a 28-22 victory over Fort Valley State, but followed that with a 23-17 setback to Hampton in the team's conference opener last week.

READ MORE

Jacksonville Jazz Musician Plays Trombone Under Overpass

Jacksonville, FL - Almost as sure a bet as the incoming tide, Joe Watts sets up at Metro Park, to breathe a little life into Jacksonville mornings.

"It's kinda my meditation, it sets up my entire day," the Jazz artist said. "Everything is awakening, there's a lot of energy in the morning."

Watts could bring his keyboard, or a trumpet. Instead, his choice of instrument to get the day started: his trombone. "You don't see that too often," he said, laughing.



His spot under the overpass has the perfect acoustics, and the perfect neighbor, for a hardcore Jags fan. EverBank Field is within earshot of where he sets up.

"Some of the guys wave as they come in while I play," he said. Watts grew up in Jacksonville, went to Ribault High, and studied music at FAMU and FSU.

READ MORE

FAMU's New Baseball Coach Hopes to Take MEAC

 Head Baseball Coach Willie Brown

Tallahassee, FL - With just a few months under his belt, the newly acquired Florida A&M baseball coach, Willie Brown, is ready to get his team on track and bring the Rattler nation a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title.

"I am just excited. Yesterday was my first day of really getting to teach, and see what I have to work with," Brown said. "I almost got chills putting on a Florida A&M University uniform again. It was just so surreal."

After months of searching for a new coach, Athletic Director Derek Horne announced that Brown would become the next coach of the Rattler baseball team.

Brown resigned as Maclay High School's baseball coach at the end of last season. He coached ten years the Maruders, four years as the team's head coach.

Brown attended FAMU, and was a star player from 1989 to 1992. Brown led the Rattlers in home runs with seven his sophomore year in just 27 games and five his junior season. He also led in total at bats with 169, as well as total hits, with 48 in 48 games.

The Florida Marlins then drafted him as a junior. He spent four years in the minor leagues.

READ MORE

FAMU's Taylor looking to make some changes

Tallahassee, FL - Coach Joe Taylor saw enough on the film of FAMU loss in its first conference game that he might "try something different" with the offense, while this week's practice will focus on the basics.

At the same time, the Rattlers will have to finish the season without linebacker Alvis Graham, who suffered a knee injury in the 23-17 loss to Hampton University on Thursday night. Graham was hurt in the first quarter of the game that snapped a seven-game win streak for the Rattlers.

Javen Harris, a transfer from Central Florida who was recently cleared to join the team, would practice in Graham's spot as FAMU prepares to face South Florida on Saturday, Taylor said. They'll be going into the game with a 1-1 record, the same mark they had at this point last season before finishing strong enough to win a share of the MEAC title.

The loss to Hampton also was the first setback in five starts for redshirt sophomore ...

READ MORE

Florida A&M falls to Hampton, 23-17

Hampton, VA - This time was a little better. But for the second consecutive visit, the Florida A&M football team was turned away at Armstrong Stadium and unable to give coach Joe Taylor his first victory on the same field where he had won hundreds of football games.

Taylor's former team took advantage of a FAMU offense that misfired all night and a defense that gave Hampton University one opportunity after another. When the Pirates were done, they racked up 428 yards in total offense and earned a 23-17 victory Thursday night.

Through the first three quarters, FAMU ran 51 plays that produced 164 yards of total offense. By that time, the Pirates had 334 yards on 60 plays. Quarterback David Legree threw for 261 of those yards.

READ MORE

Florida A&M Rattlers able to hold off pesky Fort Valley State

Tallahassee, FL - Just before kickoff Saturday, Bragg Stadium fans got to watch an animated version of a rattlesnake slam around a wildcat that was prowling the Florida A&M campus.

The crowd went wild. As it turns out, the video on the stadium's big screen was nothing more than hype, as the Rattlers spent Saturday evening trying to find ways to escape the Wildcats from Fort Valley State University.

In the end they did, 28-22, but it wasn't pretty. Penalties, missed tackles and a Division-I transfer by the name of Antonio Henton made it a tough opening night for the co-defending MEAC champion.

"I knew (the Wildcats) were coming to play us," FAMU coach Joe Taylor said. "I knew they had some athletes." The Rattlers' own blunders also made for a tough afternoon on the sidelines for Taylor and his staff.

READ MORE

Taylor warns FAMU Rattlers to keep focus against Fort Valley

Tallahassee, FL - Twenty points is all Fort Valley State managed to score in nine previous games against Florida A&M. And the scouting report the Rattlers received earlier this week doesn't indicate FVSU is a major threat turn the tables.

But the things that aren't normally in scouting reports that are major concerns for FAMU as it goes through its final days of preparation to open the season against the Wildcats. Coach Joe Taylor has been reminding his players that sloppy play would only benefit FVSU, a Division II team that will come into Bragg Stadium with Division I transfer Antonio Henton at quarterback.

Nothing would please Taylor more than to see his team score a shutout, and do it with as few mistakes as possible.

"We always tell these guys that before you can learn how to win you've got to learn how not to lose," Taylor said during the team's first weekly news conference Tuesday."

READ MORE

Miami-Dade’s high school marching bands make a joyful noise

Miami, Florida - Turns out John Phillip Sousa , the cowboy in the Village People and Lady Gaga have something in common.

All three figure prominently in South Florida high schools’ marching band’s repertoires. Sousa’s familiar march, The Washington Post, meets the disco wedding party staple, YMCA. But the combination isn’t a bad romance for the kids in the band — or the audience in the stands.

“Last year we did Lady Gaga; we did Bad Romance, and that was interesting,” says a laughing Andrea Villegas, lead drum major for the John A. Ferguson Senior High’s Mighty Falcon Band. The football team liked it, but it’s still weird listening to a marching band playing Lady Gaga.” Weird, perhaps, but don’t knock the sweet sounds of success.

Several South Florida high school marching bands are racking up honors in statewide competitions with their high-stepping blends of old and new. Some students use marching band as a platform to attend college. Many of the bands feature...

READ MORE

FAMU's Baker just wants to contribute

Tallahassee, FL - Edmond Baker was a little emotional while trying explain how much he'd like to line up as a receiver in a football game this season for Florida A&M. He clasped his hands and tightly drew them to his chest, with his eyes closed. His feelings rang through every word.

"Every bit of me says I should be playing as a receiver," he said, "but it's up to the coaches how much I play as a receiver."

Baker knows that playing time will be unlikely given the Rattlers' depth at every wide receiver position. But getting an opportunity to be a contributor on special teams will suit him just fine.

"If the coaches feel I'll be better playing special teams than backing someone up as a receiver, then that's where I'll be," he said. "I'm more of a team player than anything else. If the team wins, I win.


READ MORE

Rocker adds to FAMU's RB depth

Head Coach Joe Taylor

Tallahassee, FL - On the walk back to the fieldhouse following Saturday's scrimmage, running back Eddie Rocker mingled for a few minutes with some curious fans. Most of them wanted an answer to the same question concerning the running they'd seen from a quartet out of the backfield.

Rocker, tabbed the starter at running back for Florida A&M, shared the spotlight with LaVante Page, James Owens and freshman Jordan Stanley. They combined to produce 260 yards rushing to account for just over half of the total offense by the Green team.

"Everybody was asking me how I like the new formations," Rocker said. "I think it will help us out individually because everybody brings different things to the game. It's a team effort really."

READ MORE

FAMU's Newkirk expects more in second year

Tallahassee, FL - Josh Newkirk could have been sulking all along if he wanted.

First, he transferred to Florida A&M from Winston-Salem State where he was a featured defensive end. Then, he was moved from defensive end to linebacker and back to defensive end. On top of the moving around, he suffered an injury that slowed his progress and adjustment to the Rattlers' defensive scheme.

"It was different because when I was at Winston-Salem I was a key player that started every game," he said. "Coming here and being a role-player on defense, it messed with my mind a little bit. But I'm a competitor."



Newkirk certainly looks like it during preseason camp. The way he is making the most of every chance to make a play has caught the attention of defensive coordinator Earl Holmes and associate head coach George Small, who coaches the defensive line.

READ MORE

First team looks the part during FAMU scrimmage

Tallahassee, FL - Every time freshman quarterback Damien Fleming returned to the sidelines — whether he was leading the Orange or Green team — he was met with a lot of helmet-slapping and high-fiving.

He hardly looked like the newest addition to the Florida A&M quarterback corps, instead appearing as if he was soaking up every minute of his appearance during Saturday night's scrimmage at Bragg Stadium. It was almost as if Fleming wanted to prove to coach Joe Taylor he is indeed a solid backup to starter Austin Trainor.

Taylor promoted the freshman from Jacksonville from fourth-string to No. 2 on the depth chart because of an injury that has sidelined Memphis transfer Tyler Bass most of the first three weeks of preseason camp. Fleming and Trainor alternated under center for the Green team, which put up 74 points on the scoreless Orange squad that was made up of second- and third-teamers.

READ MORE

FAMU Rattlers set to strike with veteran team

Tallahassee, FL - The Florida A&M University Rattlers had another good season in 2010.

FAMU finished on a six-game winning streak. The Rattlers ruined archrival Bethune-Cookman’s bid for an undefeated season by beating them in the Florida Classic. FAMU claimed a share of the MEAC title but missed the FCS playoffs. Can this year’s squad do better?


Theme for Rattler Football Animation, with pictures from Rattler Booster Friday Night Strikes - pep rally. Held the Friday before every home football game at Bragg Stadium parking lot starting at 6 pm with special appearances by Coach Taylor and the football team, the Marching 100, junior cheerleaders and the FAMU cheerleaders.

At a glance

FAMU Rattlers (8-3, 7-1); co-MEAC champs in 2010
Head Coach Joe Taylor (25-9, fourth season at FAMU; 222-55-4 career)

Gone: RB Phillip Sylvester (968 rush yards, 10 TDs); DB Qier Hall (59 total tacks, one sack, one interception), DB Curtis Holcomb (41total tackles, 1.5 sacks, three interceptions); WR Isaac West (26 receptions/catches, 347 yards), QB Martin Ukpai (1,141 total yards, five total TDs transferred).

Back: QB Austin Trainor (580 yards passing, two TDs), WR Kevin Elliott (31 receptions/catches, 381 yards, one TD), LB Alvis Graham (55 total tackles, two sacks), RB Eddie Rocker (193 yards rushing, two TDs), RB Lavonte Page (185 yards rushing, six TDs), DE Jerry Willis (31 total tackles, 4.5 sacks), LB Demarius Folsom (58 total tackles, three sacs, one interception), K Trevor Scott (10/14 field goals, 25/28 extra points), P Brandon Holdren (40.1 average, five TDs) DB, Jon Ojo (57 total tackles, two interceptions), OL Robert Hartley, OL Branden Curry, OL Shelly Anthony.

New kids expected to impact: QB Damien Fleming, RB James Owens, RB/WR Al Terek McBurse, LB Kevin Nelson (transfer from Miami), DB Terry Johnson, OL Kawika Piepper.



READ MORE

FAMU's Lee wants final shot at winning

Tallahassee, FL - More than anything else, Tobias Lee wanted a championship ring in baseball or football, or both. It turned out he missed the chance to have a ring as a tight end on the Florida A&M football team because of a shoulder injury last season.

And baseball? Well, that quest was cut short too due to the same injury that occurred during spring football practice in 2010. At that time, he was trying to make the Rattlers' baseball team as a left-hander out of the bullpen.

Now he finds himself with one last shot. It comes after FAMU won a share of the MEAC football championship while he was sitting out.

"This is for all of the marbles," said Lee, a redshirt senior. "All the marbles are on the table this year so it's either go hard or go home. That's the mentality I have right now; trying to make some plays and contributing to the team."




READ MORE

Florida A&M Rattlers hit field early for practice

Tallahassee, FL - Dew was still on the grass and sunlight was nowhere in sight – only the brightness of the lights inside Bragg Stadium lit up half of the practice field.

From a distance the Florida A&M football players looked like silhouettes. The constant sound of whistles was a reminder that for the second-to-last time in the preseason workouts the Rattlers were involved Tuesday in the early morning portion of a two-a-day drills.

Not a single player seemed bothered that they had to rise at a time of the day before most people make their first turn, though.

READ MORE

FAMU's offensive line has experience

Tallahassee, FL - Offensive line coach Lawrence Kershaw hasn't felt this good about his unit as he does these days — even with a redshirt freshman as one of his starters. On Monday, Kershaw had to reach back two seasons ago, when he had two All-Americans to make his point.

Understandably so.

Injuries depleted the line after the opening game last season and it wasn't until the last three games of the year that the line featured those same starting five players.

Three of those starters are back this season, along with Lincoln High grad Steven Robinson, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury that required surgery. Aram Wynn is the lone freshman starter. He won the spot with an impressive spring and has been winning praises from his upperclassmen since.

READ MORE

FAMU offensive lineman is all business

The idea was strictly hypothetically, but it demonstrated the passion that FAMU freshman offensive lineman Kawika Pieper has for business.

During his senior year in high school, Pieper drew up a business plan that included using casinos to market his native Hawaii. He not only outlined every detail of how such a plan would benefit the island's economy, but he illustrated how it would move through government bureaucracy to where it stopped short of senate approval.

The senate rejection has been a real-life occurrence for many who attempted to introduce casinos to the island, where state law bans gambling. But Pieper wanted to show the upside, which he said would entice more visitors to come to the island.

READ MORE

Barbarino keeping Rattlers in shape, healthy

Some days, Florida A&M strength and conditioning coach Russell Barbarino sets up outside the locker room. Other days he waits inside at the entrance of the shower stall — always with an electronic scale on the floor and clipboard in hand.

It's a routine he does twice a day, checking the weight of FAMU football players going out onto the practice field and immediately after they've completed practice. It's the latest initiative that Barbarino has taken to make sure he gives coach Joe Taylor and his staff the strongest and best conditioned players he can.

That's not all, because the weight check also would give him and the training staff a sign that something might be physically wrong with a player. Barbarino has already spotted one player who had a 13-pound weight loss before he began showing signs that he might be dealing with a health issue.

READ MORE

Meet the Atlanta Falcons Rookies: RB Philip Sylvester, FAMU

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA – Early in training camp, Falcons coach Mike Smith singled out the speedy running back Philip Sylvester for praise.

The former Florida A&M Rattler was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent after the lockout was lifted. Here’s bio from FAMU. He sings in the choir at his church so I know the veterans had a good time during his performance.

(I promised one of regular commenters, Marcus, that I’d catch up with Sylvester.)

So here’s are Q&A with him:

Q: How’s camp been going for you?

READ MORE

Campbell among 6 to enter FAMU Hall

Tallahassee, FL - William Campbell still has a very vivid memory of the stoic look on Costa "Pop" Kittles' face when he gathered the Florida A&M baseball team in the middle innings of the final game of a 1972 doubleheader against the University of Miami. FAMU was down 5-0 and Kittles had seen enough.

"Pop called us in and told us we were better than we were showing," Campbell recalled Thursday night during a telephone interview from his Las Vegas home. "We began chipping away, chipping away."

The Rattlers ended up with an 8-5 victory, giving them a doubleheader sweep after taking the first game 5-2 from the Hurricanes who were ranked No. 1 at the time. That was the biggest win in the three seasons (1972-76) that Campbell played for FAMU.

READ MORE

Taylor pleased with FAMU Rattlers after first scrimmage

Tallahassee, FL - There were no new concerns about who the Florida A&M starting quarterback will be this season following Saturday's 76-play scrimmage. But former North Florida Christian player Austin Trainor agreed he and the rest of the offense have to tidy up a few things.

"We were moving the ball up and down the field pretty well but we had some mistakes out there; stuff we should have had cleaned up," said Trainor, who has only been intercepted once in the two weeks since preseason camp began. "After having a whole week of walk-through and a full week of contact, I feel we should have some of that a little bit more cleaned up."

In part, the flaws that were obvious weren't all because the offense wasn't executing. The first team defense had a lot to do with the disruptions. Of the three touchdowns scored, none were by the first team offense and one came on an interception that ...

READ MORE