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FAMU football wins fourth straight Florida Classic vs Bethune-Cookman in nail-biter | Takeaways
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- FAMU football wins fourth straight Florida Classic vs Bethune-Cookman in nail-biter | Takeaways
ORLANDO― Florida A&M football still reigns supreme over Bethune-Cookman.
The Rattlers defeated the Wildcats 41-38 before a crowd of 56,453 here at Camping World Stadium Saturday. It was FAMU's fourth straight year beating its in-state and Southwestern Athletic Conference rival.
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FAMU (6-5, 4-3 in SWAC) outgained Bethune-Cookman 487-416. The Rattlers erased a 21-17 halftime deficit and held on as the Wildcats (2-10, 2-6) added a late touchdown.
FAMU running back Thad Franklin Jr. starred for the Rattlers with 26 carries for 195 yards and three touchdowns. Franklin's performance earned the Florida Classic's Most Valuable Player Award.
"We felt we could run the football with our backs. Thad Franklin has been one of the top backs for us all year," FAMU coach James Colzie III said. "We thought he could do what he did tonight."
"We have one trophy for the MVP. But our offensive line should be chipping off some pieces to get some of that themselves."
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FAMU football Thad Franklin Jr. runs all over Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman
Florida A&M's Thad Franklin Jr. (23) scores a touchdown during the Florida Classic between Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
FAMU heavily relied on its rushing attack to snap its two-game losing streak.
The Rattlers rushed 47 times for 305 yards.
Behind Franklin's MVP outing, Kelvin Dean Jr. also was productive on the ground, adding 14 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown.
FAMU quarterback Daniel Richardson picked his spots, completing 15 of 21 passes for 182 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. His top target was wide receiver Quan Lee , who had five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.
It was FAMU's first game with co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Henry Burris calling plays .
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"We didn't change any. It was just how the plays were called," Richardson said. "At the end of the day, guys stepped up to the plate."
FAMU football tested by Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic
Bethune-Cookman's Maleek Huggins (8) scores a touchdown during the Florida Classic between Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.
The Rattlers got a run for their money with the Wildcats' rushing attack.
Bethune-Cookman rushed 44 times for 183 yards. Dennis Palmer led the Wildcats with 37 carries for 178 yards.
Despite that, FAMU had bent but didn't break situations.
For example, FAMU held up Bethune-Cookman in a critical drive after the Rattlers threw an interception with 8:10 left. Nay'Ron Jenkins tackled Bethune-Cookman running back Palmer for a loss to turn the ball over on downs on 4th and 1.
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The Rattlers had six tackles for loss and an interception, which Jenkins caught.
FAMU football's special teams gives up yardage, touchdown vs Florida Classic rivals Bethune-Cookman
The Rattlers' special teams unit put the team in compromising situations.
Bethune-Cookman gained 123 yards on kickoffs on five returns.
"Short fields lead to points," Colzie said.
Those returns pushed FAMU's defense back in some situations.
While punting, the Rattlers allowed Wildcats punt returner Maleek Huggins to return a 51-yarder for a touchdown in the first quarter.
"Execution on our end got to be better," Colzie said. "We know what we need to do to get better ― make some changes if needed and use the guys that we have."
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FAMU closes out its season against Alabama A&M Friday at 4 p.m.
Gerald Thomas, III is a multi-time award-winning journalist for his coverage of the Florida A&M Rattlers at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Follow his award-winning coverage on RattlerNews.com and contact him via email at GDThomas@Tallahassee.com or on the app formerly known as Twitter @3peatgee .
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU football finishes off rivals Bethune-Cookman in Florida Classic
