ORLANDO, Fla. (Nov. 23) - Bethune-Cookman won their third straight against Florida A&M as the Wildcats defeated the Rattlers 29-10 here Saturday afternoon at the Florida Citrus Bowl in the 34th Florida Blue Florida Classic.
With the win, this is the second time in series history that the Wildcats have won three straight against the Rattlers, with B-CU posting wins from 2002-2004 under former coach Alvin Wyatt. FAMU holds the record for most consecutive wins in the series with 19 straight from 1953 to 1972.
Holmes becomes the third first-year coach to fall to the Wildcats in the annual matchup with William “Billy” Joe falling to B-CU in his inaugural season (1994), 27-24, and Rudy Hubbard in 1974, 6-0.
The Rattler defense would force a B-CU fumble as Shaun Ward recovered the fumble on the B-CU 37-yard line. Eight plays later, Chase Varnadore connected from 41-yards out, giving the Rattlers a 3-0 lead with 9:58 to go in the first.
The Wildcats would regain the lead on their next possession as they used a 43-yard reception by Jontavious Carter from Quentin Williams and rushes of six, eight and one yard by Isidore Jackson, capped off with a 10-yard TD run by Williams, giving the Wildcats a 7-3 lead with 6:12 to go in the first.
B-CU would go up 13-3 as Williams scored his second TD of the day on a 17-yard run with four seconds left in the quarter. The scamper capped a 10-play, 66-yard drive by the Wildcats. B-CU would miss the two-point conversion.
A Lemond Buice fumble would set up B-CU's final TD of the half on a Jackson three-yard run with 4:41 left to go in the half, capping a five-play, 16-yard drive by the Wildcats. B-CU secured a 21-3 lead at the break.
The Rattlers would score their only TD of the game on a Jonathan Pillow 45-yard fumble recovery return with 9:06 left in the third.
B-CU would score their final TD of the game as Jackson scored his second TD of the game on a three-yard run with 3:00 left in the contest, for the 29-10 finale after the Wildcats made two-point conversion.
FAMU was led by Al-Terek McBurse as he rushed for 32 yards on nine carries, followed by James Owens with 30 yards on 10 carries.
Carson Royal would finish the contest with 17 yards passing as he completed three passes in 19 attempts and one interception.
DeWayne Harvey led the Rattler receivers with 14 yards on one reception, followed by Lenworth Lennon with one reception for 15 yards.
Frances Mayes led the Rattler defense as he finished the contest with 11 total tackles, one sack and 2.5 tackles for loss, followed by Jonathan Pillow with nine tackles, a fumble return for TD and 0.5 tackles for loss.
Jackson led B-CU's ground attack as he rushed for 96 yards on 29 carries with two TDs, followed by Quentin Williams with 70 yards on 15 carries with two TDs. Williams led the Wildcats passing attack with 95 yards through the air as he completed seven passes in 10 attempts.
Carter led the Wildcat receivers with 54 yards on two receptions.
Dyron Dye led B-CU in total tackles with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss, followed by Tevin Toney with six tackles, 0.5 sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss.
With the win, B-CU wins their third Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Championship in three season as the Wildcats finished the regular season 10-2 and 7-1 in conference play. The Wildcats will now wait to see, who will be their next opponent will be in the 2013 FCS playoff with selection show set for Sunday, Nov. 24 at 11: 30 a.m. on ESPNU.
FAMU finished their 2013 season 3-9 and 2-6 in conference play.
