Lavante Page’s two fourth quarter touchdowns helped the Florida A&M football (5-3, 3-2 in the MEAC) team seal a 27-24 victory over the South Carolina State Bulldogs (4-4, 3-2 in the MEAC) on Saturday. The win in Oliver Dawson Bulldog Stadium was the team’s first since 1997.
Damien Fleming led the Rattler offense, going 34-of-40 for 297 yards and a touchdown. He becomes the fourth quarterback in university history to throw 80 percent in a game.
Eddie Battle (11-of-11 against the Bulldogs in 2008), Patrick Bonner (30-of-35 against Jackson State in 1998) and Curtis Pulley (17-of-21 against Winston Salem State in 2009) are the other three quarterbacks to accomplish the feat.
The ground attack was headed by Eddie Rocker, who rushed for 54 yards on seven carries. Page added 42 yards on 12 carries, including his pair of touchdowns late in the game. Al-Terek McBurese, who rushed for 218 yards in the teams last game, had 10 carries for the Rattlers.
Lenworth Lennon tallied 70 yards on 13 receptions. Brian Tymes had six catches for 84 yards. Kevin Elliott finished the game with five receptions for 78 yards.
The defense was led by Booby Jackson, who had six tackles including one for a loss.
SCSU had built up a 24-13 lead going into the fourth quarter. Page would then punch it in from three-yards out, cutting SCSU’s lead to 24-20 with 8:35 to go in the fourth.
The Rattlers then put together a seven-play, 68-yard drive, capped by another three-yard TD run by Page, giving the Rattlers a 27-24 lead with 2:31 to go in the game.
SCSU was paced by freshman quarterback Richard Cue, who went 12-for-24 and 121 yards. The team’s leading rusher, Asheton Jordan, garnered 88 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown.
Tyler McDonald was the top receiver for the Bulldogs as he had four catches for 43 yards.
Dominique Ellis was the Bulldogs’ top tackler as he garnered 12 tackle with 10 solos.
FAMU will return to action on Saturday, November 5, in the final home game of the season.
They will host North Carolina A&T on Senior Day and Youth and Community Day, in a 6 p.m. kick at Bragg Memorial Stadium.