TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Sept. 3) - The Florida A&M Rattlers had all they could handle with the scrappy Fort Valley State Wildcats. They held off the Wildcats 28-22, to start the 2011 season 1-0. In the end, an alert
Lenworth Lennon, took a pass that ricocheted off the hands of Kevin Elliot, and scampered 68 yards for the game-winning score.
While the Rattlers' offense was feeling out new personnel in various key positions, the Wildcats performed like a well-oiled machine. The Rattlers will have to correct the errors and be ready for a short week, as they face their first MEAC foe of the season in the Hampton Pirates in just five days. The Pirates are coming off an exciting 21-20 victory over Alabama A&M, in the Chicago Football Classic.
Starting quarterback Austin Trainor, threw for 170 yards in the first half, on 8-for-17 passing. He ended the game passing for 348 yards. Running back Eddie Rocker, led the ground attack with 24 yards rushing in the game. He scored the first FAMU touchdown of 2011 on a 17 yard slashing run.
Elliott, led the Rattlers with 137 yards receiving, including a spectacular 40-yard touchdown run after catch. Elliott, caught six passes for a 22.83 yards-per-catch average.
Defensively, Greg Harvey led the Rattlers with eight total tackles (6 solo, 2 assisted). John Ojo, had six tackles and two interceptions.DJ Folsom, held down the middle for the Rattlers with five tackles.
The Wildcats were led by led by quarterback Antonio Henton, who went 7-for-18 for 139 yards in the first half. Henton, connected on a 73-yard bomb to Christopher Slaughter for the first score of the game. Denzel Wesley, led the Wildcats with just 7-yards rushing in the first half.
In the second half, the Wildcats came to life, with a resilience of a team with nothing to lose. Henton, came back after an injury sidelined him, to pass for 299 yards total. Rashad Johnson, led the Wildcats in rushing with 30 yards in the game.
The Rattlers used a running back-by-committee approach as Rocker, Lavante Page and Jordan Stanley saw action out of the backfield.
In the end, the Rattlers would prevail, but with work to be done to eliminate mistakes. The Rattlers were penalized 19 times for 207 yards. The errors were costly, as they allowed the Wildcats to continue drives.
THe Rattlers will review film on Sunday and prepare for a Monday practice and an altered preparation sechedule as they fly to Hampton, Va. on Wednesday for the Thursday night game on ESPNU.
