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FAMU football flexes superiority over rival Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic | Takeaways
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- FAMU football flexes superiority over rival Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic | Takeaways
ORLANDO— Bragging rights remain in Tallahassee.
Florida A&M football proved to be too much for in-state arch rival Bethune-Cookman.
The No. 24 Rattlers (9-2, 7-1 SWAC) defeated the Wildcats (2-9, 2-6 SWAC), 41-20 for the second straight season in the Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium in Orlando before a crowd of 55,257.
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"This mean's that Thanksgiving dinner will taste a little better this week," FAMU coach Willie Simmons joked. "But it also means that Rattler Nation is off my back for the next 364 days.
"The Florida Classic is the best classic and we're blessed to be a part of it."
Receiver Xavier Smith earned the game's Most Valuable Player with five catches for 73 yards and a touchdown along with a 24-yard passing touchdown. He also surpassed 1,000 receiving yards on the season.
"I'm just happy to win with my teammates and my brothers," Smith said. "Getting 1,000 yards is a little special, but I don't know how it feels yet because I haven't gotten the chance to sit back and think about the moment."
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The Wildcats outgained the Rattlers 284-282.
FAMU has won nine-straight games as the regular season concludes.
The Rattlers will learn Sunday if they will earn an at-large bid into the FSC playoffs for the second consecutive season.
MORE RATTLERNEWS COVERAGE
► ShineTime: FAMU football receiver Xavier Smith is a Bragg Memorial Stadium legend
► Orlando's Own: FAMU football's Bohler Brothers return home to play first and last Florida Classic together
► Remember the time: I asked five FAMU Rattlers about their favorite moments of the Florida Classic
The FAMU Rattlers lead the BCU Wildcats at the half 27-7 during the Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022.
FAMU's Dark Cloud Defense successfully neutralizes Bethune-Cookman quarterback Jalon Jones
The Rattlers were tasked with another mobile quarterback in the Wildcats' Jalon Jones.
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But they had to do it without their defensive anchor, linebacker Isaiah Land (re-aggravated MCL sprain) and defensive lineman Gentle Hunt (leg).
"(Land) didn't feel good when he came out for yesterday's runaround," Simmons said. "But he talked to the team and really challenged the defensive line.
FAMU chose to let Jones throw as he picked up 172 yards and two touchdowns paired with 61 rushing yards.
The majority of Jones' yards on the ground was on a 58-yard rush in the third quarter.
FAMU sacked him five times led by defensive lineman Anthony Dunn Jr. and intercepted once by safety Javan Morgan .
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"Aside from losing containment of a very dynamic quarterback a few times, those guys restricted (Jones) well," Simmons said.
The FAMU Rattlers lead the BCU Wildcats at the half 27-7 during the Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022.
Rattler offense responds to last week with a clean showing
Last week, FAMU had issues of maintaining the ball with three interceptions and field goals each.
The Rattlers had no turnovers this week.
"The message this week was that we all needed to be on point with everything that we did," Simmons said. "We threw the ball extremely well and ran it when we needed to."
Quarterback Jeremy Moussa completed 15 of 19 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns with a receiving score on a pass from Smith.
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Smith and David Manigo combined for 10 catches for 151 yards.
FAMU rushed for three touchdowns on the heels of power backs Jaylen McCloud and Terrell Jennings.
Florida A&M Rattlers defensive lineman Anthony Dunn Jr. (53) recovers a fumble against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at the 2022 Florida Blue Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium in Orlando Florida, Saturday, November 19, 2022
Anthony Dunn Jr. rises to the occasion
Sanford native Dunn got extra snaps since Land and Hunt missed the game.
The redshirt freshman defensive lineman totaled six tackles, three tackles for loss, a forced fumble and recovery on the night.
Dunn set the tone in the second drive of the game with his fumble recovery and recovery in the second drive of the game.
That translated into the Rattlers' second score of the night on McCloud's two-yard run.
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"Anthony Dunn has a chance to really be a special player," Simmons said. "He's very explosive and he's a monster. He had a big game in his backyard and has a bright future if he continues to grow and mature."
Gerald Thomas III covers FAMU athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at gdthomas@gannett.com or on Twitter @3peatgee.
Follow the Tallahassee Democrat on social media at Tallahassee Democrat (Facebook), TallahasseeDemocrat (Instagram), and @TDOnline (Twitter)
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU Football: Rattlers claim bragging rights over Bethune-Cookman
