The Florida A&M football team improved their record to 3-4 with a 44-3 win over the Savannah State Tigers Saturday night at Bragg Stadium. The win snaps a two game losing streak for the Rattler.
The rushing games caused concern last week, totaling just 37 yards, but this week was a different story. The Rattlers rushed for 323 yards, with Eddie Rocker leading the ground attack with 171 yards and a touchdown.
Rocker said that the team did exactly what it could do on offense.
Running back James Owens and quarterback Damien Fleming complimented Rocker on the ground, rushing for a combined 93 yards and punching in one touchdown each.
Fleming and the FAMU passing attack remained consistent. Fleming completed 15 of 22 passes for 242 passing yards and two touchdowns. Lenworth Lennon reeled in six passes for 134 yards and a touchdown. Lennon’s touchdown came on his longest reception of the night, a 57-yard bomb from Fleming that capped off the game for the Rattlers.
Flemimg said that everyone was doing a good job of excuting and that the offense was making plays.
The game started slowly with both defenses forcing the opposition to kick field goals, but with 1:39 left in the first quarter, Owens ran for a 15-yard touchdown. FAMU’s offense was rolling from that point on.
Chase Varnadore opened the second quarter with his third field goal of the night from 38-yards out. Following that was a 10-yard touchdown pass from Fleming to Michael Etheridge midway through the second quarter that would send the Rattlers into the halftime up 23-3.
The FAMU defense would hold the Tigers scoreless in the second half as the offense scored three more touchdowns. FAMU controlled the ball for much of the game, possessing the ball nearly 11 minutes longer than the Tigers.
The possession difference was due to the Rattlers offensive efficiency. They accrued 29 first downs and converted on 50 percent of their third downs. FAMU also won the turnover battle with no giveaways in the game. The team managed to accumulate 31 penalty yards, drawing the yellow flag twice more than Savannah State.
Coach Taylor was pleased with the team’s performance.
“I thought we flew around on defense and moved the ball on offense,” said Taylor.
The Rattlers will try to remain undefeated at home next week as they take on the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Bragg Stadium.