TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Sep. 5, 2009) --- Preseason All-MEAC quarterback Curtis Pulley rushed for 196 yards and a touchdown, and passed for 140 yards to lead Florida A&M to a 21-12 win over Delaware State before 20,000 fans at steamy Bragg Stadium in the season opener for both teams Saturday evening.
The Rattlers snapped a four-game losing streak in the series, notching their first win over the Hornets since a 15-14 victory in Tallahassee in 2003.
Florida A&M dominated the time of possession 35:28 to 24:32.
The Rattlers rushed for 328 yards en route to a 485 to 274 advantage in total yards.
"First, I want to congratulate Florida A&M for doing what it needed to do to win the game," said Delaware State head Al Lavan, who suffered his first loss to the Rattlers in five games. "I thought we were doing some good things offensively, but hurt ourselves with turnovers and penalties. You can't do that against a good team like Florida A&M. We got ourselves behind the eight ball by giving up some big plays, particularly to their quarterback. We also wore down defensively, resulting in a lot of missed tackles."
Lavan also lost his first MEAC opener in six seasons with the Hornets.
Florida A&M scored first when fullback Mykel Bensen completed a nine-play, 69-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown plunge with 10:08 left in the second quarter. The more than four minute drive was highlighted by a 31-yard pass completion from quarterback Curtis Pulley to Isaac West to the DSU four-yard line. The Rattlers were also aided by a Delaware State personal foul penalty on a second down at the Hornet 30-yard line. The extra point kick by Trevor Scott gave Florida A&M a 7-0 lead.
Delaware State answered the Florida A&M score with one of its own on the ensuing possession. Senior receiver Zacharri Charles capped off the drive with a spectacular 30-yard diving catch of a Glaud pass in the end zone with 6:39 left in the second quarter. The score was the first for Charles and longest in his collegiate career. Earlier in the drive, Glaud connected with Larrone Moore on a 36-yard pass to the Florida A&M 30.
The Hornets failed to tie the game after the score when Riley Flickinger missed the extra point kick after holder Nick Lochner bobbled a low snap.
Florida A&M added to its lead on the very next possession. The Rattlers needed just six plays to reach the end zone. Four plays after a 36-yard scramble by Pulley to the DSU 18, halfback Lonvonae Page scored on a six-yard run to give FAMU a 14-6 lead with 3:19 left in the second quarter.
The Hornets prevented Florida A&M from stretching its lead right before the half when Nail Muradymov blocked a 36-yard field goal attempt by Scott with six seconds left in the second quarter.
Florida A&M outgained the Hornets 289 to 140 in the first half. The Rattlers rushed for 178 yards on 27 carries and passed for 111 yards in the first 30 minutes. DSU passed for 72 yards and rushed for 68 in the first half.
The Rattlers led 14-6 at the half.
Delaware State drove into Florida A&M territory on the opening possession of the second half, but the drive ended when receiver Darius Jackson lost a fumble at the Rattler 35.
Four plays after the turnover, Pulley found the end zone on a 47-yard run to give the Rattlers a 21-6 lead with 10:36 left in the third quarter.
The Hornets took advantage of a Florida A&M error to cut into the Rattlers' lead. Seven plays after recovering a fumble at the Florida A&M 46, Jason Randall scored his first career touchdown on a four-yard run with 12 minutes left to play. A two-point pass attempt was incomplete, leaving the Hornets with a 21-12 deficit.
After another Florida A&M turnover, Delaware State drove to the Rattler 16 but a fumble on the hand off from Glaud to Randall was recovered by FAMU, dashing the Hornets' final hopes.
Glaud was 17 for 32 for 188 yards and a touchdown in his first start at quarterback for the Hornets, while Randall rushed for a team high 54 yards.
"I thought we had a strong effort, but were hurt by mental errors that we need to fix." Glaud said. FAMU did a good job of mixing up coverages on defense. They didn't do anything we didn't expect, but our execution could have been better. We moved the ball well at times and had a chance to win, but hurt ourselves with mistakes."
Linebacker Mike Gable led the Hornets with a career-high 11 tackles, including six solo stops.
"I take my hat off to FAMU's defense," said Gable. "Its tough to win when you give up that many yards rushing. We have a lot of young players on defense and everyone played hard.
Hornets return to action Sep. 19 at Delaware in the first regular season meeting between the schools.
STINGERS:
... First time DSU starters: Glaud (QB), Muradymov (OT), Hicks (OG), Randall (RB), Haywood (DT), Mendes (DE), Harris (LB), Ligon (CB)
... Florida A&M's 6-0 lead in the second quarter marked the first time that the Hornets trailed the Rattlers in a game since their 2003 meeting, a span of four games.
... Tahree McQueen rushed for two first downs after lining up at quarterback in the Hornets' version of the "Wildcat" formation. McQueen was a quarterback at Eastside High School in New Jersey.
... Senior receiver Zacharri Charles scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 30-yard driving catch in the end zone on a throw from Anthony Glaud with 6:39 left in the second quarter.
... Delaware State's Nail Muradymov blocked a 32 yard Florida A&M goal attempt with six seconds left in the second quarter, preventing the Rattlers from taking a 17-6 lead at the half.
Darius Jackson, playing in front of dozens of relatives in his home state, led the Hornets with seven catches for 67 yards for the Hornets.
Jason Randall scored his first career touchdown on a 4-yard run to pull the Hornets to within 21-12 with 12:52 left in the fourth quarter. A two-point pass attempt by DSU was no good.
... Avery Grant recorded his second career sack to stop a FAMU first-quarter drive that reached the DSU 32-yard line. FAMU missed 49-yard FG attempt after the sack.
