ORLANDO, Fla. --Bethune-Cookman mounted an eight-play, 70-yard scoring drive, culminating in a 41-yard touchdown reception from to with :20 remaining in the ballgame, as Florida A&M lost 38-34 in heartbreaking fashion to the Wildcats on Saturday afternoon at Camping World Stadium.
The Wildcats improved to 7-6 on the year and 6-3 in Southwestern Athletic Conference play, while the Rattlers fell to 5-6 overall and 4-4 in conference matchups.
Rj Johnson III led Florida A&M's passing attack with 228 yards through the air, tossing two touchdowns without throwing an interception.
Jr. Franklin led all Rattlers rushers with 118 yards and one touchdown in the contest, picking up 10.7 yards per carry. Jamal Hailey also added 78 yards and one touchdown on the ground, averaging 13 yards per carry.
Armand Burris reeled in four catches for 69 yards and two scores. Ace Cobb got in on the action in the passing game as well, hauling in three balls for 66 yards.
Cameron Donald led the Florida A&M defensive effort, collecting three tackles, 0.5 TFL, 0.5 sacks, and one recovered fumble. James Gardner Jr added 1.5 TFL and one sack and Jason Riles Jr. had 10 tackles, 2.0 TFL, and one sack in the loss.
Both teams forced one turnover in Saturday's contest, with Florida A&M turning that takeaway into three points.
How It Happened
Florida A&M took a 3-0 lead over Bethune-Cookman after scoring the game's first points with 8:33 left in the first quarter.Bethune-Cookman then scored to take a 17-3 lead before the Rattlers put a touchdown on the board to cut into the lead and make it a 17-9 game.
Bethune-Cookman scored to increase their lead to 24-9 before Florida A&M responded with 11:56 remaining in the third quarter and narrowed the gap to 24-16.The Rattlers then scored again, narrowing the gap to 24-19.
Florida A&M scored again, a 72-yard touchdown run from Hailey with 7:47 remaining in the fourth quarter, and grabbed a 27-24 lead in the process.The Wildcats answered with seven points to take the lead before the Rattlers reclaimed it on a 19-yard touchdown run from Franklin, which brought the score to 34-31 in favor of Florida A&M. Florida A&M didn't score again and Bethune-Cookman added seven more points to finish off the scoring.
Game Notes
» Bethune-Cookman outgained Florida A&M 485-423 in the contest.
» Florida A&M had their highest scoring quarter in the fourth period, when they put up 18 points.
» Florida A&M converted 3 of 10 third downs while Bethune-Cookman was successful on 4 of 12.
» Riles Jr. led the Rattlers with 10 tackles.
» The Rattlers offense came out of halftime firing on all cylinders, scoring 18 unanswered until the Wildcats got on the board again.
» Timmy McClain led the Wildcats passing attack, completing 22 of his 33 attempts for 274 yards and four touchdowns.
» Khamani Robinson led the Bethune-Cookman rushing attack with 89 yards and one touchdown.
