TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Oct. 17) - The Florida A&M Football rode a 24-6 scoring surge in the second half to rolls past Delaware State, 41-13 at Homecoming before 22,678 in Bragg Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The win was the first of the year for FAMU (1-6, 1-3 in MEAC), while luckless Delaware State (0-6, 0-3) remained winless of the season.
It was also FAMU's first Homecoming win since 2012, a 22-21 come-from-behind win over North Carolina Central.
FAMU's last victory came against the Hornets, 41-7 in Dover last November , but it was their finishing flurry in the second half that put the visitors away.
The Rattlers broke a 7-7 tie with 3:00 left in the second period, when Carson Royal found Jairockeis Jones in the right flat, and the Eastern Michigan transfer raced 78 yards to put FAMU ahead for good at 14-7.
Colby Blanton tacked on a 35-yard field goal with 36 seconds left to extend FAMU's cusion to 17-7 at the half. Blanton's 27-yard fielder with 9:42 left in the third pushed the Rattler lead to 20-7, then Devondrick Nealy's five-yard blast made it 27-7.
After a Delaware State score made it 27-13, threatening to ease the Hornets back into contention, FAMU close out an opponent for the first time, thanks to Akil Blount's 75-yard pick six, and Carson Royal's seven-yard scoring toss to tight end Desmond Noird for a 41-13 lead with just over three minutes left.
The Rattlers actuially drew first blood in Saturday''s contest, which was played under crystal clear skies with mild temperatures in the low 80s, as Royal tossed an 18-yard strike to Kareem Smith for a 7-0 lead with 8:30 left in the opening frame.
DelState's Jay Jackson scored the first of his two rushing touchdowns on a three-yard plunge with 4:19 left, tying the game at 7-7.
FAMU'S LEADING MEN: The Rattlers, who outgained the Hornets, 374 to 288 offensively, were led by junior quarterback Carson Royal, who passes for 229 yards and three scores on 14 of 31 passing (with two interceptions).... Royal also tied for team high rushing honors with freshman Devin Bowers, as both both finished with 44 yards rushing... Montavious Williams (3 for 59) and Kareen Smith (3 for 42, 1 TD), along Jaisrockeis Jones (2 for 78, 1 TD) were top pass catchers for Royal on Saturday.... Derfensive back John Boston topped the FAMU defensive charts with 13 total takedowns, one sack, one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a pass interception.
WHAT'S NEXT: The Rattlers get a much-needed bye week next Saturday, before closing their home schedule, Oct. 31 against North Carolina A&T. Kickoff will be 5:00 p.m
