NORMAN, Okla. (Sept. 8) - The Florida A&M Rattlers made the trip to face the No.5 University of Oklahoma Sooners, with an upset on their minds. In the end, the Rattlers played a competitive first half, but was consumed by the depth of OU in the second half. The sold out crowd of 84,852 was on pins and needles as the Rattlers held their own in the first quarter and most of the second quarter.
Unlike several FBS vs. FCS football games, this was a competitive game for a half. "I Thought we came out and showed some things early on. We will get a lot out of this as we return now to conference play. The bottom line is...to come up and be completely outmatched, but to see our guys give a completely great effort, make some plays, get some turnovers, and move the ball...that let's you know that there's a lot of potential in this club, so that to me, is very encouraging," coach Joe Taylor said.
Damien Williams became the fourth opposing team running back to rush for four TDs against the Florida A&M defense as the University of Oklahoma handed the Rattlers, a 69-13 defeat here Saturday night at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium.
OU scored the first points of the game as Williams romped in on a three-yard run to give the Sooners a 7-0 lead after the Mike Hunnicutt PAT, capping a five play, 67-yard drive with 7:05 remaining in the first.
Two-minutes later, Williams would score his second TD of the game from four yards out with 5:17 remaining in the first, set up a by a 43-yard punt return by Justin Brown. It increased the Sooners' lead to 14-0, after the Hunnicutt PAT.
The Rattlers would score their first points of the game with 10:52 to go in the half as Chase Varnadore connected on a field goal from 41 yards out, cutting OU's lead to 14-3. His field goal is the third longest field goal in school history against an FBS opponent. Current special teams Coordinator, Juan Vasquez, nailed the longest field goal in school history against a FBS opponent as he nailed a 47-yard field goal against the University of Florida in 2003.
Williams would score his third TD of the game from 15 yards out with 9:20 left in the half, capping a seven-play, 75 yard drive, to give the Sooners a 21-3 lead. On their next possession of the quarter, OU quarterback Landry Jones would connect with Kenny Stills from 16 yards out to give the Sooners a 28-3 lead, after the Hunnicutt PAT with 5:59 left in the quarter.
The combination of Damien Fleming and Travis Harvey would score the Rattlers' first TD of the game as Fleming would hit Harvey in stride for a 75-yard TD reception with 4:26 to in the third quarter, cutting the OU's lead to 28-10 after the Chase Varnadore PAT. The reception would be the longest in school history against an FBS school.
Taylor was pleased with the precision on the touchdown. "Travis Harvey is a senior with great speed. With his speed and of course the pass from Damien Fleming, we feel good about him. Hopefully, that's a connection we will see more of as we move forward," Taylor said.
OU would go into the half with a 35-10 lead as Try Metoyer scored on an 18-yard TD reception form Landry Jones with 36 seconds left in the half.
The Sooners would score on their first drive of the third quarter as Brennean Clay scored his first TD of the game on a three yard run with 12:11 to go, giving OU a 42-10 lead, after the Hunnicutt PAT.
William scored his fourth TD of the game as he scored from 89 yards out with 10:34 to go in the third quarter, increasing the Sooners' lead to 49-10, after the Hunnicutt PAT.
Clay recorded his second TD of the game for the Sooners as he scored from 10-yards out giving OU, a 56-10 lead, after the Hunnicutt PAT with 6:49 to in the quartet
Varnadore put three more points on the board for the Rattlers as he connected on a 46-yard field goal with 2:10 to go in the third, cutting the OU's lead to 56-13.
Dominique Whaley would score the Sooners' seventh TD of the game as he scored from four-yards out with 13:52 to go in the fourth giving OU a 62-13 lead. OU would score their final TD of the game as Roy Finch scored from 15 yards out with 5:59 left to go in the game for the 69-13 final.
FAMU's (0-2) James Owens led the Rattlers ground attack as he rushed for 35 yards on six carries, while Eddie Rocker rushed for 34 on eight carries. Damien Fleming finished the contest completing 11 passes in 21 attempts for 133 yards and one TD and one interception.
Travis Harvey led the Rattler receiving corp as he recorded four catches for 118 yards with one TD with longest reception being for 75 yards.
Owens led the Rattler special teams play as he recorded 132 yards on seven kickoff returns, while Branden Holdren recorded 360 yards on 10 punts to average 36.0 yards per punt.
Jonathan Pillow led the Rattlers defense as he recorded a game high 13 tackles.
OU(2-0) was led by Williams as he rushed for 156 yards on 10 carries scoring four TDs.
Jones, the OU single caller, passed for 252 yards as he completed 19 passes in 28 attempts with two TDs and one interception. Kenny Stills led finished the contest with 120 yards receiving on 10 catches to lead the Sooner receivers.
Justin Brown led OU on special teams as he recorded 102 yards on three punt returns with his longest being for 62 yards. Aaron Franklin led the Sooner defense as he finished the contest with six tackles and one sack.
In the end, Taylor was happy with what he saw. "I'm so proud of them. The way they played in the first half. I think when we came back out in the second half, they were a little spent because of the depth issue. I told them that this team has a big chance. From here on out, let's take it one game at a time. To come in here an not be intimidated and have a good focus once the game started, this os going to truly help us. I'm not surprised, because I've maintained that we have a good football team," he concluded.
The Rattlers will open Mid-Eastern Athletic Confernece play as they take on Hampton University, (who dropped a 45-7 decision to Old Dominion, earlier today) in their home opener, on Saturday, Sept. 15 at Bragg Memorial Stadium in a 6 p.m. EST start.
